# 10 Warning Signs Your Well Pump Is Failing
Your well pump works quietly underground, day after day, pushing water up from your well and into your home. Most homeowners don't think about it until something goes wrong — and by then, they're standing in the kitchen with no water wondering what happened.
The good news is that well pumps rarely fail without warning. There are almost always signs leading up to a failure. Knowing what to look for can save you from an emergency situation (and an emergency repair bill). Here are the 10 most common signs your well pump is failing — and what each one actually means.
1. No Water at All
What's happening: You turn on the faucet and nothing comes out. No pressure, no trickle, nothing.
What it could mean: This is the most obvious sign, and unfortunately, it usually means something significant has failed — the pump motor, the wiring, or the control box. Before you panic, check your breaker panel first. Well pumps run on a dedicated circuit, and sometimes a tripped breaker is all it is.
DIY or Pro? Check your breaker. If it trips again after resetting, call a professional. Repeatedly resetting a tripping breaker can cause additional damage.
2. Sputtering or Spitting Air from Faucets
What's happening: Water comes out in bursts, mixed with air, and the flow is inconsistent.
What it could mean: Your pump may be struggling to maintain prime, there could be a crack in the drop pipe above the water line, or your water table may have dropped below the pump intake. In Spokane and the surrounding area, water levels can fluctuate seasonally — especially during dry summers.
DIY or Pro? This one needs a pro. The causes are all below-ground issues that require proper diagnostic equipment.
3. Pressure Tank Short-Cycling
What's happening: You hear the pump clicking on and off every few seconds, even when you're barely using water. You might hear rapid clicking from the pressure switch area.
What it could mean: Short-cycling is one of the most common well pump problems we see. It's usually caused by a waterlogged pressure tank — the air bladder inside has failed, and the tank can no longer maintain pressure. This forces the pump to cycle constantly, which burns out the motor prematurely.
DIY or Pro? You can check the tank's air pressure with a tire gauge on the Schrader valve (usually on top). If the tank is waterlogged, it needs to be replaced by a professional. Don't ignore this — short-cycling can kill a pump motor in months.
4. Unusually High Electric Bills
What's happening: Your electric bill jumped and you can't figure out why.
What it could mean: A struggling pump draws more electricity. If your pump is running more than it should — due to a failing motor, a waterlogged pressure tank, or a small leak in your system — your power bill will reflect it. We've seen cases where a bad pressure tank added $50–$100/month to a homeowner's electric bill before they realized what was happening.
DIY or Pro? If you suspect your pump, a licensed pump technician can test the system's electrical draw and efficiency. This is one of those situations where spending a little on diagnostics can save a lot on electricity.
5. Low or Fluctuating Water Pressure
What's happening: Pressure that used to be strong is now weak, or it fluctuates unpredictably throughout the day.
What it could mean: Several things can cause this: a failing pump that can't maintain output, a pressure tank issue, clogged pipes or screens, or — less commonly — a drop in your well's water level. If the low pressure is worse during heavy use (morning showers, laundry), the pump may not be keeping up with demand.
DIY or Pro? Check your pressure gauge on the tank. Normal residential settings are 40/60 or 30/50 PSI (cut-in/cut-out). If the gauge shows normal pressure but flow is weak, the issue may be in your plumbing. If the gauge shows low pressure, call a pump tech.
6. Dirty, Sandy, or Cloudy Water
What's happening: Your water suddenly looks murky, has visible sediment, or you're finding sand in your fixtures and appliances.
What it could mean: Sand or sediment in your water is a serious warning sign. It can mean the pump has dropped or shifted in the well, the well screen is deteriorating, or the pump is pulling from too close to the bottom. Sand destroys pump impellers — if you're seeing it, act quickly.
DIY or Pro? Call a professional immediately. Running a pump that's pulling sand will destroy it quickly and can damage your plumbing and water heater.
7. Pump Runs Constantly Without Shutting Off
What's happening: You can hear (or see on your electrical panel) that the pump is running nonstop, never cycling off.
What it could mean: Either the pump can't build enough pressure to hit the cut-off point, or there's a significant leak in the system. A failing pump, a bad check valve, a broken pressure switch, or a leak in the drop pipe or plumbing can all cause this. A pump running 24/7 will overheat and fail completely — this is an urgent issue.
DIY or Pro? This is a call-now situation. A constantly running pump can burn out within hours to days.
8. Strange Noises from the Pressure Tank or Wellhead
What's happening: Clicking, groaning, humming, or banging sounds coming from your well system.
What it could mean: - Rapid clicking: Usually the pressure switch trying (and failing) to start the pump, or short-cycling - Humming: The motor is getting power but can't start — possibly a seized motor or bad capacitor - Banging/water hammer: Check valve issues or pressure surges in the system
DIY or Pro? A humming pump needs immediate attention — it's drawing full electrical load without running, which generates heat. Turn off the breaker and call for service.
9. Well Pump Breaker Keeps Tripping
What's happening: The circuit breaker for your well pump keeps tripping, sometimes immediately after reset.
What it could mean: Something in the electrical system is drawing too much current. This could be a failing motor with a short in the windings, damaged wiring (especially common in older installations), a bad capacitor in the control box, or in rare cases, a ground fault somewhere in the system.
DIY or Pro? Do not keep resetting the breaker. Each reset attempt with a shorted motor can cause further damage and is a fire risk. Call a licensed pump technician to diagnose the electrical issue properly.
10. Water Quality Changes (Taste, Smell, or Color)
What's happening: Your water tastes different, smells odd (like rotten eggs or metal), or has a new color to it.
What it could mean: While water quality changes aren't always pump-related, they can indicate well issues that affect your pump. A sulfur smell might mean bacteria in the well (which can affect pump components). Metallic taste or discoloration could indicate corroding pipes or a deteriorating well casing. If you're noticing a rotten egg smell, we have a detailed guide on that specific issue.
DIY or Pro? Start with a water test. If the changes are sudden, have your well and pump system inspected — something may have changed downhole.
When to Call a Professional vs. Troubleshoot Yourself
Here's a quick rule of thumb:
You can check: - Is the breaker tripped? - What does the pressure gauge read? - Is there a visible leak above ground? - What's the air pressure on the tank's Schrader valve?
Call a licensed pump tech for: - Anything electrical beyond the breaker - Anything below ground or inside the well - Sand or sediment in the water - A pump that won't stop running - Recurring issues after basic troubleshooting
Well pump work in Washington State requires a licensed well driller or pump installer (per RCW 18.104). This isn't just a legal requirement — it's about safety. Well pump systems involve high voltage, pressurized water, and confined spaces. It's not a YouTube-tutorial kind of job.
Don't Wait for a Complete Failure
The biggest mistake we see homeowners make is ignoring early warning signs. A pressure tank replacement costs a fraction of what a burned-out pump motor costs. A quick electrical diagnosis is far cheaper than replacing a motor that was allowed to overheat for weeks.
If you're experiencing any of these well pump problems, catching it early is always cheaper than waiting.
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Seeing signs your well pump might be failing? Pump Division provides fast, professional well pump diagnostics and repair in Spokane, Spokane Valley, and surrounding areas. Call (509) 214-9355 — we'll figure out what's going on and give you honest options. Licensed. Bonded. Insured. Contractor #PUMPDD\*771BL.