Your well pump is the heart of your home’s water supply. When it fails, everything stops from morning showers to washing dishes. The good news? Many common well pump problems can be diagnosed and repaired without an expensive service call.
How does a well pump work?
Before diving into well pump repair, it helps to understand what you are working with. Most residential properties use one of two types:
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Submersible pumps
— installed deep inside the well casing, submerged in water. These are the most common in modern homes.
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Jet pumps
— installed above ground, drawing water up from the well using suction. Common in older properties with shallow wells.
Both types work with a pressure tank to maintain consistent water pressure throughout your home. Knowing which type you have is the first step in any well pump repair.
Common signs your well pump needs repair
Catching problems early can save you from a full pump replacement. Watch for these warning signs:
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No water at all
— the pump has failed, lost power, or the well has run dry.
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Low or sputtering pressure
— air in the lines, a worn pump, or a failing pressure tank.
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Pump runs constantly
— usually a waterlogged pressure tank or a leak in the system.
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Cloudy or discolored water
— pump damage, pulling sediment, or a failing well screen.
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Loud clicking from the pressure tank
signals a waterlogged tank or failing air bladder.
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Spike in your electric bill
— a struggling pump draws far more power than a healthy one.
Well pump repair: step-by-step troubleshooting
Check the power supply first. Go to your breaker panel and look for a tripped breaker labeled “well pump.” Reset it. If it trips again immediately, there is likely an electrical fault or the pump motor is failing.
Test the pressure switch. The pressure switch is a small gray box near the pressure tank. Use a multimeter to check for continuity. Burned or corroded contacts are one of the most common and cheapest well pump repairs. Replacement switches cost $15–$30.
Inspect the pressure tank. Tap the side: a healthy tank sounds hollow on top and solid on the bottom. Press the air valve (like a tire valve stem) if water spits out instead of air, the internal bladder has failed. Replacing a pressure tank costs $150–$400 for the part.
Check the foot valve (jet pumps only). If your jet pump has lost its prime, the foot valve may be stuck open. Prime the pump manually by pouring water into the priming port. If it loses prime repeatedly, replace the foot valve.
Assess the pump motor (submersible pumps). If power is reaching the pump but it is not running, the motor may have failed. Testing requires pulling the pump a job that usually needs professional equipment or a licensed contractor.
Always check the simplest causes first. Most well pump service calls turn out to be a tripped breaker, a faulty pressure switch, or a waterlogged tank all of which a confident DIYer can fix in under an hour.
DIY vs. professional well pump repair
Some repairs are perfectly safe for a homeowner. Others carry real safety or legal risks.
Safe for DIY: resetting a tripped breaker, replacing a pressure switch, recharging or replacing a pressure tank, repriming a jet pump, and replacing a capacitor.
Call a professional for: pulling and replacing a submersible pump, electrical work inside the well casing, suspected water contamination, low well yield or a dry well, and any repair requiring local permits.
Well pump repair cost: what to expect
Pressure switch
$15 – $100
Pressure tank
$200 – $800
Submersible pump
$400 – $2,000+
Jet pump
$300 – $1,000
Pump motor
$200 – $1,500
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my well pump is bad?
The clearest signs are no water, very low pressure, constant pump cycling, or a pump that runs but produces nothing. Work through the troubleshooting steps above before assuming the pump itself has failed.
Can I repair a well pump myself?
Yes, for many issues, especially pressure switch and tank problems. Submersible pump replacement, however, requires specialized equipment and is best handled by a licensed well contractor.
How long do well pumps last?
Submersible pumps typically last 8–15 years. Jet pumps can last 20+ years with proper maintenance. Lifespan depends heavily on water quality, usage, and whether the pump is correctly sized for the well.
What causes a well pump to short-cycle?
Short cycling rapid on-and-off switching is almost always caused by a waterlogged pressure tank or an incorrect pressure switch setting. Check the tank first.
Should I repair or replace my well pump?
If the pump is under 10 years old and the problem is isolated, repair is usually cost-effective. If it is over 12–15 years old or the motor has failed, replacement is often the smarter long-term investment.
The bottom line
Well pump repair does not have to be overwhelming. Start simple check the breaker, test the pressure switch, and inspect the pressure tank. Most clogs clear at one of these steps. For deeper problems involving submersible pumps or electrical work inside the well casing, always call a licensed professional. Your water supply is too important to guess.