Introduction
Many people are panicky when their water pressure drops suddenly, open the tap but no water comes out, or the pump doesn’t work at all. These problems are very common.
This article will show you how to test and troubleshoot different kinds of well pumps, including shallow wells and deep wells.
Understand Your Well Water System
The well water systems in different households vary. Some use jet pumps, while others install deep well pumps. There are also different pumping and testing methods for wells at different depths. If you can’t identify the type of your well water system, you might make some mistakes in the following testing.
A jet pump is commonly used for shallow wells under 25 feet. It’s installed above ground and uses suction to draw water. These systems are often found in small homes or farms.
For deep wells over 25 feet, submersible deep well pumps can push water upward from below. It’s installed inside the well casing. Deep well pumps are widely used in hilly or dry regions where shallow wells can’t reach the water table.
Before starting the test, you need to confirm which well system you are using. Otherwise, it will get more and more chaotic as you check it later.
How a Well Pump Works
A well pump can’t work individually; it needs to cooperate with the pressure tank and pressure switch together to deliver consistent water flow.
The well pump is the heart of the system. It draws water from underground and sends it into your home’s plumbing. When water pressure in your pipes drops, the pressure switch automatically signals the pump to start. That’s why testing the switch is an essential part of troubleshooting a well water system. The pressure tank acts as a buffer, storing pressurized water so your pump doesn’t have to turn on every time you open a tap.
When you know how your system works together, you’ll know how to find the problem.
Signs Your Well Pump May Have a Problem
The well pump usually shows some signs before it’s broken, but we didn’t notice it. Recognizing these signs early can help you avoid a complete system failure.
Have you ever noticed a sudden drop in water pressure? It’s probably because the pump or pressure switch can’t maintain normal pressure, especially if the pressure stays low across all taps.
If no water from the taps, it might be an electricity problem, or the well pump is not working, or a low water level in the well. You’ll need to test if the pump is running.
When the pump cycles on and off frequently, you need to check your pressure tank and look for a leaking point on the pipeline. Frequent cycling is one of the key signs your well pump system needs troubleshooting.
If you found the pump runs but no water comes out, it might be a dry run or an air blockage in the suction lift. Testing the suction line or check valve may help identify the issue.
If you hear strange noises or vibrations, it might be that the shaft is worn, the impeller is clogged, or air is entering the system. Unusual sounds are often the first clue that something inside the pump isn’t right.
If you notice any of these issues, it doesn’t always mean your pump has failed — but it’s a clear signal to start testing your system. Then you need to learn how to tell if a well pump if bad and what steps to take.
Safety Precautions Before Testing
Before taking action, put safety first. You need to be very careful when you need to touch the electrical components and the water. Following a few precautions can help you test your well pump safely.
- You must remember to turn off the power before touching wires. Even a small voltage can be dangerous when testing live wires.
- You need to use rubber or insulated gloves whenever handling electrical parts or wet connections.
- If there’s no water, you need to turn off the pump first. Running a pump without water can quickly damage the impeller or motor.
- Make sure the pressure tank and lines are fully depressurized to prevent water spray or injury.
Taking these precautions can avoid getting hurt and also prevent unnecessary damage to your equipment. Once you’ve confirmed the system is safe to handle, you can move on to testing your well pump.
Tools You’ll Need for Testing a Well Pump
Before you start checking your well pump, it’s helpful to have a few basic tools on hand to make the process safer and easier:
- Pressure Gauge: It can measure if the water pressure is normal and if your pump is working properly.
- Multimeter: It’s used to measure voltage or resistance to confirm that the pump is powered.
- Wrench/pliers: For assembling or disassembling pipe fittings and the pressure switch.
- Insulating gloves/safety equipment: Use them to protect yourself when touching electrical or wet pipes.
You can start some basic checks after preparing these key tools.
How to Test a Well Pump — Step-by-Step
After taking all safety precautions and preparing all tools, you can start testing your well pump as follows.
Step 1: Start with the Power
Many people will forget to check if the pump is powered. Check whether the breaker has tripped or any fuse has blown — it happens more often than you’d think.
Then, use a multimeter to test the voltage at the pressure switch terminals. You should see around 220V (or 110V, depending on your system). If there’s no reading, the problem is electrical, not mechanical.
Step 2: Test the Pressure Switch
The pressure switch controls the system when your pump turns on and off. If it stops working properly, the pump may fail to start or keep running nonstop.
First, inspect the contact points inside the switch. If they look burned, pitted, or stuck together, the switch might need cleaning or replacement.
Next, check the pressure range. Most well systems are set to cut in at 30 psi and cut out at 50 psi. If the pump doesn’t start or stop at the right pressures, the switch likely needs adjustment or replacement.
Step 3: Check the Pressure Tank
You need to turn off the power first and drain the water by opening a nearby tap until it stops.
Use a tire pressure gauge to check the air charge at the top of the tank. It should be about 2 psi lower than your pressure switch’s cut-in pressure (for example, if the switch starts at 30 psi, the tank should read 28 psi when empty).
If the pressure is too low, recharge it with an air compressor.
If the tank is full of water and you can’t measure air pressure, the bladder may be broken, and the tank might need replacement.
Tip: Tap the tank lightly—the upper part should sound hollow (air), the bottom solid (water). If it sounds solid all the way, it’s probably waterlogged.
Step 4: Test the Control Box or Capacitor
Not all pumps need this. If your deep well pump has a control box, check the capacitor and relay.
A bad capacitor may prevent the motor from starting or cause a buzzing noise; a bad relay may prevent the control box from supplying power.
Always turn off the electricity first, then use a multimeter to measure the capacitor. If you are not quite sure about circuits, it’s safer to ask someone who knows about electricity for help.
Step 5: Measure the Flow Rate and Pressure Output
Turn on the tap closest to the pressure tank and check if the water flow is steady.
Use a pressure gauge to make sure pressure stays around 40-60 psi.
If pressure drops quickly, it could be a weak pump or a leak.
You can measure flow with a known bucket (like 20 liters) and time 1 minute. If the output is much lower than 20-40 liters, the pump may have lost suction, or the suction pipe has air leaks.
Stable pressure and flow mean the pump system is working normally.
Troubleshooting Common Well Pump Problems
- Pump Not Starting
Check the power first — sometimes it’s just a tripped breaker or a faulty switch. If the power is fine, the motor could be burned out or the wiring loose.
- Pump Runs but No Water
If the motor is humming but no water comes out, look at the water source. The well might be low, or there could be an air leak or a leaky foot valve that’s breaking suction.
- Low Water Pressure
When your water pressure drops, it might be somewhere clogged, such as the filter or the pipe. Try cleaning the filter and checking the pressure tank.
- Short Cycling
When the pump turns on and off too often, it’s usually because of a waterlogged pressure tank or a pressure switch that’s out of adjustment. You can drain or recharge the tank, or reset the switch.
- Pump Won’t Stop
If the pump keeps running nonstop, there might be a leak somewhere in the system, or the pressure switch may be stuck. Check for leaks first — if everything’s tight, replace the switch.
Example: Diagnosing a Pump That Runs But Produces No Water
One day, our customer Mike was watering his garden. The water was fine, but suddenly turned weak. At first, he thought the nozzle was clogged, but it was good, and the water pressure dropped. He walked into the pump house and found his JET pump was still humming, but not delivering water.
His first thought was: The pump had electricity, but it couldn’t draw water. He checked along the pipe and discovered small bubbles around the joint. He remembered a similar situation he had before—air entering the suction line, and the pump could only dry-run.
He turned off the electricity, dried the joint, and checked again more carefully. Then he found it was an air leak.
Later, he reapplied sealant to the joint and replaced the foot valve, hoping to fix it once and for all.
Then he removed the filter and found it was clogged with fine silt and sand. It was clear it had been clogged for quite some time. After cleaning the filter and reattaching it, he turned the pump back on. This time, the sound was lighter and smoother, no longer muffled like before. He tested the pressure again at last, and it was normal again.
Mike said if he was not in the garden that morning and heard the pump running, he didn’t even know how to check his pump.
We also reminded him, it’s common for shallow wells to drop in water level during hot seasons. If the filter and joints are fine but the pump still fails to draw water, it may also be due to a low water level.
Checking these areas regularly can prevent unexpected water loss.
Deep Well vs Jet Pump Troubleshooting Tips
| Problem | Jet Pump (Shallow Well) | Deep Well Pump (Submersible) | Quick Tip |
| Pump runs but no water | Air in suction line, filter clogged, pressure switch acting up | Low voltage, capacitor issue, motor trouble | Check if water can reach pump, clean filter, watch for unusual sounds |
| Water flow weak / uneven | Suction leak, filter dirty | Impeller worn, low voltage | Tap pipes, clean filter, measure water pressure |
| Pump cycles on/off too often | Waterlogged tank, switch misadjusted | Not common | Check pressure tank, adjust or replace switch if needed |
| Pump won’t start | Rare for jet pump, maybe electrical | Power issue, capacitor, motor | Make sure breaker is on, voltage is normal; call pro if unsure |
| DIY or call a pro? | Mostly DIY: clean filter, check pipes, watch pressure | Electrical or motor issues → call pro | Don’t touch electricity if you’re not sure |
Follow these simple tips for jet pump troubleshooting and deep well pump troubleshooting to keep your system running smoothly and avoid unexpected problems.
When to Replace or Call a Professional
If your pump is broken frequently, or noisy when running, or always keeps in low water pressure, or has already served you for 8-10 years, these conditions usually indicate you need to replace a new pump.
Don’t try to fix the pump by yourself when it smells burned, is noisy but has no water, or has electrical problems. For any situation you are not sure about, call a professional to help.
How to Prevent Well Pump Problems in the Future
- It’s best to check the pressure gauge every one or two weeks to see if the pressure drops. If the water flow gets smaller, it’s also a signal that something is wrong.
- The internal contacts of the pressure switch are prone to oxidation. You don’t need to open the cover; just check whether it starts normally.
- The sand and mud will affect the pump’s performance. You need to clean your filter regularly, especially if the sediment content in the well water is high.
- Consider upgrading to an intelligent controller for your well pump. It can detect the pressure automatically. If there’s any problem with the pump, the system will stop it in advance to prevent further damage.
With these simple checks, you can catch most well pump problems early. Maintenance is more time-saving and cost-effective than repair.
Conclusion
These simple checks are sufficient to solve most of the problems encountered by household well pumps
As long as you check several items more often in daily life, small problems won’t develop into major malfunctions
At Hungerät, we design intelligent water pump controllers and self-priming booster pumps that make home water systems easier to manage and maintain. If you need advice when choosing a system, you are also welcome to come and chat with us.
FAQ
Q1: How do I know if my well pump is bad?
A1: Pay attention when your water pressure drops suddenly, the pump can’t stop, or bubbles appear in the water.
Q2: How can I test if my well pump is working?
A2: If the pump is running, but no water comes out, it’s probably a suction problem. You need to check the foot valve, water level, and air leakage on the suction pipe.
Q3: Can I test a well pump myself?
A3: Yes, you can do some basic tests. Be careful when you test the wires. It’s better to ask a professional to test the motor.
Q4: Why does my well pump keep running?
A4: In most cases, it’s caused by water leaks. When the pressure drops, the pump will keep running. It could also be that the pressure switch is stuck, the check valve is broken, or the well water level is too low for the pump to draw water, so it has to keep running.
Q5: Can a well pump work without a pressure tank?
A5: For traditional systems, if no pressure tank, the pump will cycle on and off shortly, easy to break. You can install an intelligent controller with an electric pressure sensor to keep a stable pressure.
