Get Ready for the Holidays! Contact Aztec Plumbing & Drains for all your plumbing and drain needs. – Check Out Our Exclusive Offers Today!
Wondering why your well pump is running non-stop? We’ll help you troubleshoot this plumbing problem.
If your well pump keeps running, it’s usually because of one of the following issues:
Let’s go into more detail about each of these 6 common well pump problems and how to solve them.
If you have an appliance like a toilet or sink that’s always running, your pump may also run non-stop. That’s because a running appliance demands a constant flow of water, which forces your pump to run constantly.
Note: Two common home plumbing fixtures that are prone to run constantly are a toilet and a kitchen sink. For more information on how to fix them, read these articles:
Solution: Follow these steps to find out if a running appliance is causing your well pump to run constantly:
If you have any leaks or a constantly running appliance make sure you repair them (you may need a plumber’s help to do so). See if your well pump functions normally again after you fix any leaks.
If your well pump is still running, you may have another issue. In that case, read on…
You can have 2 different types of pump systems: an above-ground jet pump system, or an underground submersible pump system.
Loss of prime at the well pump is typically only an issue with a jet pump system. “Priming the pump” means that the intake pipe on a jet system must always be filled with water (primed) in order to generate enough suction to pull water out of the well and into the household water line.
If your well pump loses prime, then it will run constantly. Generally, jet pumps lose prime when there’s a leak in the suction line.
Solution: First, turn off the pump immediately in order to avoid damage to your pump. Running a pump that has lost prime can cause severe damage to the system.
You can try to prime your jet well pump yourself, however, we recommend contacting a plumber because the suction line could have a leak, which a professional should replace.
The pressure control switch regulates the pressure in your well pump. More specifically, the switch controls the water pressures that cause your pump to cut-in (turn on) and cut-out (turn off).
If your pressure control switch is faulty (usually a result of clogged tubing or burned contact points), or if someone adjusted the cut-out pressure to be above the pump’s capacity, your pump will run non-stop.
Solution: Contact a plumber to adjust the settings on your pressure control switch or replace it if it’s faulty.
Adjusting your pump’s pressure settings often involves removing the cover from the switch, which is an electrical hazard (exposed live wires near water), so only a trained professional should handle this job.
In order to function properly, your well pump needs a certain amount of water entering the pump at a regular pace. We call this the flow rate. If the water level has fallen too low, or the flow rate is off, then your well pump will continue to run without stopping.
Some common causes of reduced water level include:
Solution: Contact a plumber to make sure your well pump system has proper water levels and the right flow rate.
Your well pump is designed to shut off once it reaches a certain pressure. A significant leak anywhere in the well piping lowers the water pressure in the system. So if the pressure is too low, your pump won’t shut off and instead will continue running all the time.
Solution: Contact a plumber to inspect your well pump system for leaks. A plumber will have the right tools to find and repair any leaks.
As will all mechanical equipment, well pumps can give out over time. If a well pump has internal mechanical damage, it won’t raise water pressure to the control switch cut-off point which will make the pump run non-stop.
Solution: Contact a plumber to repair (or likely replace) your well pump.
Contact Aztec Plumbing & Drains to schedule a well pump repair. We’ll send one of our trusted plumbers to fix whatever is causing the problem so your well pump will turn off and run properly.
By submitting, you agree to receive phone, email, or text communication from us per our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy, which state that we will never share your personal information or spam you. Message/data rates apply. Consent is not a condition of purchase.
The information on this website is for informational purposes only; it is deemed accurate but not guaranteed. It does not constitute professional advice. All information is subject to change at any time without notice. Contact us for complete details.