Are you here because you turned on your faucet and no water came out? Are you wondering how you can turn your water back on?
There are several reasons why your home’s water system might have suddenly stopped working. Most often, it’s because something is wrong with the well pump. While the average life span of a well pump is 12 to 18 years, it has many components that could fail and cause the well to stop delivering water to your home.
Signs Your Well Pump Has Failed or Needs Repair
Signs your well pump may have failed or may not be functioning properly include:
- No water when you turn the faucet on
- Very low water pressure
- A well pump that’s always running
Not sure if you need well pump repair?
Call Kobella Plumbing Heating Cooling at (440) 729-2099 for service in Kirtland, Mentor, Willoughby, Painesville, and surrounding areas.
Troubleshooting Steps if Your Well Pump Stops Working
If you suspect your well pump has quit working because your home is currently without water, there are a few things you can do before giving us a call:
Check Your Breaker Box
Your well pump may have stopped working due to a lack of power. Sometimes resetting a breaker or replacing a fuse affected by a power surge or brownout can fix this.
If the well pump circuit breaker has tripped, the well pump itself may be failing. Partial shorts in the wiring or motor can also cause breakers or fuses to trip or blow.
To be on the safe side, you should call a qualified technician to check the system components to ensure proper and safe function. Electrical issues can be dangerous if not addressed.
To determine if your well pump is currently without power, locate the service panel and circuit breaker for the well pump. Then switch the circuit breaker off and on. This shouldn’t be repeated, as it could cause a fire hazard due to overheating wires.
If your well pump still isn’t working after this switch, it’s time to call your local plumber to analyze the well pump system. Your plumber can inspect the system to ensure proper and safe operation.
If you need well pump service in northeast Ohio, contact Kobella today at (440) 729-2099.
Inspect the Pressure Tank
Your well pump moves water to the water pressure tank. Inside the tank is an air bladder, or diaphragm, that becomes compressed as water is pumped into the tank. The compression, or pressure in the tank, moves water through your home’s pipes.
This system is designed so the pump doesn’t have to run every time you turn on a faucet, which would cause premature failure of the well pump.
Briefly inspect your pressure tank. Does anything seem off about it? Many things can go wrong with a pressure tank — it can get waterlogged, the air bladder can break, it may not have the right air pressure inside, etc. The tank may even have started to heavily rust or pit.
If you notice any abnormalities, it’s time to call an experienced plumber to determine the best solution.
Learn More About Well Pump Repair & Replacement
Is your well pump not working the way it should? When you need well pump repair or replacement in northeast Ohio, choose Kobella! We’re the locally owned plumbing company you can trust for upfront pricing and quality service.
We provide well pump repair and replacement in Kirtland, Chardon, Mentor, Painesville, and surrounding areas.
Contact us at (440) 729-2099 to learn more about working with Kobella.
Frequently Asked Questions About Well Pumps
How long can I expect my well pump to last?
A well pump can last between eight and 15 years, assuming you keep up with maintenance and repair damaged components as necessary.
Many factors can contribute to a well pump needing premature or early replacement, including pump quality, installation quality, sediment in your water, the type of well pump, and frequency of use.
If your well pump is over 15 years old, it’s probably time to consider a replacement, even with proper care and repairs.
How do I know what kind of well pump I should get?
Choosing the right well pump can be complicated. To select the right well pump for your needs, you should consider well depth, gallons per minute consumed by your household, preferred pressure, your plumbing’s pressure tolerance, your budget for upfront expenses, and other factors.
It’s best to work with an expert to find the best well pump for your circumstances.
Should I repair or replace my well pump?
As a general rule, you should repair your well pump if it’s relatively new or in good condition and replace it if it’s old or needs frequent repairs.
Mostly, this means replacing well pumps near the end of the average life expectancy and repairing newer ones, but if you have a lemon that keeps breaking down, you might want to replace it to avoid further headaches.
Does my well pump need maintenance or tune-ups?
Unlike some other equipment in your home, your well pump doesn’t need annual tune-ups to do its job properly — though a checkup might reveal components that could be replaced before they fail or due to inadequate performance.
