Well Pump Repair

Usually, repairing a well pump costs between $300 and $1,300. This cost varies based on several factors, including the type and size of the pump, the nature and extent of the repairs needed, and the going rate for labor.

You should call a well pump repair service or a licensed plumber experienced in well systems to fix your well pump when it fails.

A pump's life expectancy is usually from 8 to 15 years. Many factors affect where a pump might fall within that range—what kind of pump it is; how much and how often it gets used; what kind of water it has to work with; and most importantly, how well it gets maintained. Jet pumps, on the whole, tend to have a shorter lifespan and require more maintenance than submersible pumps.

Certainly. Here's a potential paraphrase: Well pump repair and installation are usually managed by specialists who understand the complex systems associated with wells. Plumbers might be familiar with the sorts of problems that could come up inside a house related to water supply and drainage, but not many plumbers have the knowledge or experience to troubleshoot a problem that might be happening several dozen feet under the ground. So if your well pump stops working, it's probably best to call a well service to figure out what went wrong and fix it.

If a covered event, like fire or lightning, damages a well pump, then homeowners insurance can be expected to cover the necessary repairs. Issues that arise from normal operation or the pump's age, however, are not covered—nor are the problems likely to be covered if they result from faulty design (which might be thought of as a kind of "wear and tear" issue when the pump is within its expected service life). Repairing a well pump can be quite costly. Understanding your insurance policy can help you avoid unpleasant surprises.

A well pump may be on the verge of failure if it is cycling frequently (turning on and off), the water pressure is fluctuating, the electric bill is sky-high, or any one or more of a number of "strange" signs is present. These signs include noises that you wouldn't expect to hear coming from your plumbing "system"; dirty or murky water; and, at the other end of the scale, absolutely no water coming from any tap at all. Reduced water pressure could alternatively indicate issues with the pressure tank; air showing up when you turn on your faucets could mean the bladder in the tank is compromised. Either way, if you suspect the system is failing, it's time to inspect it closely and/or call in a pro.

When a water well stops working, it generally leads to a loss of water pressure or no water at all from the fixtures that depend on the well pump to bring water up from the well. A well pump might fail for a number of reasons—electrical failures and broken pressure switches, for example, can leave a pump inoperable. Sometimes, a pump seems to just give up and stop working when it has actually lost the water it's supposed to be pumping. Other times, the intake pipe might be sufficiently clogged to give the impression that the pump has failed. A number of different causes, then, can lead to the impression of a pump failure.

If you have the right skills and knowledge, you can replace your well pump. If you don't have those skills or that knowledge, it's probably best to hire a pro. This is a job that involves electricity and plumbing and sometimes working in a "deep well" environment which can be dangerous for the untrained. If you decide to brave it and go for the DIY replacement, well, all I can do is wish you well and hope that you take every safety precaution and consult every good guide and "expert" to ensure you're not doing something monumentally unsafe

Well pumps may or may not be covered under home warranty plans since it depends on the specific terms and conditions of each plan. A few home warranty plans may offer either optional or even standard coverage for well pumps. But to know for certain if your well pump is included in your plan, you'll need to check your warranty contract or to reach out to your home warranty provider.

A water pump's most prevalent issue is low water pressure, often stemming from other problems like a clogged filter, a busted pressure switch, or a failing pressure tank.