How To Tell if Your Well Pump Is Bad

Unfortunately, there aren’t many signs to warn you that your well pump is going bad. You’ll most likely discover you need a replacement on a morning when you’ve woken up late, your kids can’t find their homework, and you have a meeting with your boss at 8 a.m.

In other words, you’ll most likely find out you need a replacement at one of the most inopportune times, like when you try to start your morning shower and find you have low water pressure or no water at all.

Could your well pump be bad? Contact Kobella Plumbing Heating Cooling for well pump service in northeast Ohio.

How To Troubleshoot Your Well Pump

Your home’s water system is made up of two important components: the well pump and the pressure tank. The well pump draws the water from the well near your home; the pressure tank stores the water and regulates your home’s water pressure.

When you shower, wash the dishes, or run the washing machine, that water comes from the pressure tank.

If you think your well pump is going bad, it may actually be your pressure tank causing the problems.

Some of the most common indicators of a faulty well pump and pressure tank include:

Fluctuations in Water Pressure

There are several reasons you may experience changes in water pressure throughout your Greater Cleveland home. They may not always mean your well pump is going bad, but it’s good to check with a professional to be sure.

Well pumps run on electric motors, so if the motor fails, you’ll notice a difference in your water pressure.

Noisy Pressure Tank or Clicking Sounds

Pressure tanks house a bladder full of air, similar to the inner tube in a bike tire, and the bladder can leak or lose air. When this happens, you may notice a constant or rapid clicking noise coming from the pressure switch near the pressure tank.

Air from the bladder that has escaped into the pressure tank causes the well pump to start and stop frequently, straining the motor.

A failed pressure tank bladder can be very hard on the well pump’s electric motor over time, and it can drastically reduce the pump’s life expectancy, so as soon as you hear a noise, call a qualified plumber to inspect your well pump.

Spitting Faucets

A leaking pressure tank bladder may also cause sporadic air spurts in your water, or “spitting” faucets. This may occur intermittently, but if left unchecked, it could shorten the life of your well pump.

Scalding Shower Water

If you’re showering and someone flushes a toilet, causing you to jump or scream from unexpected scalding hot water, that’s most likely an issue with your pressure tank as well.

This is because some homes are equipped with two- or three-handle tub and shower valves, which don’t have pressure-balancing spools like most new, single-handle valves.

The drop in pressure from your malfunctioning pressure tank will allow more hot water than cold water through, creating surges of scalding hot water.

High Electric Bills

Pretty much all the well pump and pressure tank problems described above can reduce the efficiency of your home’s water system and raise your electric bills.

If you start to see that bill creeping up month after month, you might want to consider inspecting your well pump and pressure tank or calling a professional.

Kobella Plumbing Heating Cooling offers coupons and specials for well pump installation and a variety of other services.

Prevent Well Pump & Pressure Tank Problems With Routine Maintenance

At Kobella Plumbing Heating Cooling, we recommend annual flushing of your water heater and pressure tank to improve their life span and avoid downtime in your home’s water system.

If you notice any signs of the well pump problems listed above, contact our expert plumbers. We offer over 18 years of experience in well pump repair, replacement, and maintenance.

Contact us today to learn more about our affordable annual well pump maintenance plan in northeast Ohio, including Geauga and Lake counties.