5 Common Well and Pump Problems

There are many benefits to well water in comparison to city or public water sources, including lack of chemical treatments and more healthy, natural minerals. However, maintaining a deep water well can be complicated, especially when faced with common well and pump problems. Read on to learn more about issues many homeowners with wells face, along with potential solutions.

5 Common Well and Pump Problems

Problem 1: No water

If you turn on a faucet and no water comes out, it doesn’t necessarily mean your well has gone dry. In fact, a completely dry well is actually very unlikely. A lack of water can be caused by something as simple as a tripped circuit breaker to the well pump. In this case, flip the breaker on and try again.

Other common causes for a lack of water lie in the local water table. Sometimes, in summer or during extremely dry conditions (such as drought), your well water can fall below the pump depth. In this scenario, decreasing your water use for a few days can help. Or, if the issue continues or starts happening more frequently, lowering the pump might be a more viable option.

Problem 2: Cloudy water

If your drinking water is starting to look cloudy or muddy, it’s probably due to a sinking water table. When your pump tries to pull from shallow water, it can actually bring silt and sand into the water supply. This can also be a sign that your pump is failing to filter debris effectively, so keep an eye on the problem as wear and tear can be a costly problem.

Problem 3: Foul-tasting water

Poor tasting or smelling water can be caused by corroded pipes, but more often, this common problem is caused by natural bacteria or soil changes. If your water is smelling or tasting less than ideal, it’s likely time to call in a professional to test the water quality.

Problem 4: Spitting or sputtering water

If your faucets are sputtering or spitting with use, it’s a tell-tale sign that there is air in your plumbing system. This can be caused by a broken pump or a crack in the water pipe, both of which will need to be diagnosed by pulling the well.

Problem 5: High utility bills

If your utility bills are higher than average and there’s no other obvious reason for the increase, you might want to look to your pump. If the well pump is constantly running due to a malfunction or pressure switch issue, or if the water is low, you might find yourself paying unnecessary energy bills. Call in a professional plumber for well maintenance to save yourself money and hassle in the long run.

Well water service in New Haven and Fairfield County

These are the most problems you may come across with your home’s well and pump, but it’s certainly not an exhaustive list. To check on the health of your well system, bring in the professionals at Rick’s Plumbing. Call us today at (203) 874-6629.

203-457-3201