Drilling a private water well is an awesome way to achieve water independence in your rural home. With the right water well pump, you can draw all the water you need without the use of buckets. If you use a submersible well pump to pull the water to the surface, you should know how to tell if your pump is experiencing problems so you can have it fixed before it breaks down completely. Here are some of the common problems experienced with submersible well pumps and their possible causes and solutions.
Pump Won't Start
The first thing you should check is whether your submersible pump is receiving power. You can do that by touching a voltmeter's test probe tips to the power lines connected to the pump. If there's power, check the pump's circuit breakers ensure they're not tripped due to an overloaded circuit. Also, check for blown fuses to see if you need to have them replaced.
If there's no power supply to the pump and the rest of your home, you may need to contact a qualified electrician or local power supply company to have the issue diagnosed and repaired correctly.
Pump Turns On and Off Too Rapidly
This problem is commonly referred to as short cycling. It can occur due to a variety of reasons. Firstly, it's an indication of possible leaks in the pump's plumbing system. As air leaks into the system, it may cause the pump to keep turning on and off as it runs. Sealing leaks in the service line can help remedy the issue.
Another likely cause of pump short cycling is a defective or an incorrectly set pressure switch. In the case of a defective pressure switch, a new switch will be necessary. In the event of incorrect pressure switch settings, the switch will need to be readjusted.
A plugged snifter valve can also cause short cycling in a submersible pump. If the valve is faulty, then removing, inspecting, and replacing it can help get your pump running normally again.
Pump Runs But Delivers Little to No Water
Start troubleshooting by checking the water level in your pump. If the water level is too low, then well production may be low too. Restricting the pump's output to the well's output can help treat the problem. Also, check if air may be locked inside your pump system. You can do that by starting and stopping your pump repeatedly. If an air lock was the problem, then your pump should start running normally again.
If your submersible well pump continues to act up despite following the above troubleshooting and repair guide, seek out a water well pump repair technician. They can further advise for troubleshooting and repair. For more information about well pump repair, contact a local well professional.
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