**Your Well Pump Needs Attention Too**

Most Spokane-area homeowners on well water take their pump for granted — until it stops working. Unlike a furnace or a car, a well pump does its job silently underground with no dashboard lights or service reminders. But just like any mechanical system, regular maintenance helps it run efficiently, last longer, and avoid expensive emergency repairs.

Here are five maintenance practices that can save you thousands over the life of your well pump.

**Tip 1: Check Your Pressure Tank Regularly**

Your pressure tank should have a consistent air pre-charge, typically two PSI below the cut-in pressure of your pressure switch. Over time, tanks can lose air pressure, which leads to short cycling — and short cycling is one of the fastest ways to kill a pump motor. You can check the air charge with a standard tire gauge on the Schrader valve at the top of the tank. Do this when the tank is empty, meaning the pump is off and you have drained the pressure. If the tank cannot hold air or the reading is significantly off, the bladder may have failed and the tank needs replacement.

**Tip 2: Listen for Changes in Your Pump**

Get familiar with the normal sounds of your well system — when the pump kicks on, how long it runs, and when it shuts off. If you start hearing the pump cycling more frequently, running longer than usual, or making clicking sounds from the pressure switch area, these are early warning signs that something has changed. Catching these signs early can be the difference between a minor adjustment and a full pump replacement.

**Tip 3: Test Your Water Quality Annually**

Washington State recommends testing your well water at least once a year for coliform bacteria and nitrates. Beyond the health benefits, water quality testing can reveal changes in your well that affect equipment. Increasing sediment, iron content, or hardness can accelerate wear on pump components and clog fixtures. If your water starts looking cloudy, smelling off, or staining fixtures, schedule a test right away.

**Tip 4: Protect Your Wellhead**

The top of your well casing should be properly sealed with a sanitary well cap to prevent insects, rodents, and surface water from entering the well. Make sure the area around the wellhead is graded so that rainwater drains away from the casing rather than pooling around it. Keep the wellhead clear of landscaping chemicals, fertilizers, and stored fuel.

**Tip 5: Schedule a Professional Inspection Every One to Two Years**

Even if everything seems fine, having a certified technician inspect your system periodically is the best insurance against unexpected failures. A professional inspection includes checking the electrical connections, testing the pressure switch, evaluating the pressure tank, measuring flow rate and pressure output, and looking for early signs of wear. Think of it like an oil change for your well — small investment, big payoff.

Ready to schedule a well system inspection? Call Pump Division at (509) 214-9355. We are certified by Washington State and Spokane County, and we serve the entire Spokane area seven days a week.

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