Some households rely on wells for water. As such, they must use well pumps to retrieve the water. And just like other pumps, residential well pumps can malfunction and fail to perform effectively. But how can one tell that the pump has an issue? Well, watch out for these indicators.
Your Electric Bill Has Suddenly Increased
Well pumps depend on electricity to pump water into your tanks. So, unless you are using solar power, if you notice any sudden increase in power consumption then it's a sign that your well pump has an issue or faulty wiring. In that case, you should have a plumber inspect your pump for damages. If there are any damages, the plumber will obviously repair them.
Low Water Pressure
Low water pressure should never be an issue if your well pump is okay. So, a significant decrease in water pressure should worry you. Either the water table has dropped, your water pump is failing, or there is a clog in the pipes. You, however, need to check if the problem is spread out to all faucets. If it is, then your pump could be having an issue. As such, you need to have it checked by a technician before drawing any conclusions.
The Pump Runs Continuously
Your residential well pump should stop running once it attains a certain pressure. So, if your water well pump keeps running, it could be a sign of a malfunction. In most cases, the pump will constantly run due to a leak in the drop pipe, a damaged foot valve, faulty check valves, and air leaks in the pump casing or impeller.
You have to hire an expert to address these issues. Otherwise, you'll pay high electricity bills due to the pump running 24/7.
Loud Noises
Well pumps making louder noises than usual is a sign of a malfunction. You have probably not serviced your well pump in a long time, or something is wrong. Experts say that residential water well pumps emit loud, unusual noises due to:
- Cavitation
- Trapped air
- Poor installation
- Incorrect pump speed
- Damaged impeller
- Excessive bearing wearing
- Debris in the system
The noises will manifest themselves in the form of screeching, knocking, rattling, clunking, banging, humming, clicking, or grinding. So, call a plumber or technician once you hear any of these noises. They'll do the repairs or recommend a replacement if the issue is irreversible.
Other indicators of a malfunctioning well pump include water that tastes or smells bad, sediment buildup, faucets that spit water, and spontaneous shut-off of the pump.
Contact a local well pump service to learn more.