Well Stopped Working? Your Emergency Action Guide

The shower's running, company's coming, and suddenly—nothing. That sickening moment when your faucet sputters and dies is one every well owner dreads. Your heart races. Your mind floods with worst-case scenarios. But here's what we've learned from responding to thousands of well emergencies: more than half of "my well stopped working" calls have solutions that cost under $300. Before you catastrophize, let's figure out what's really happening—and get your water back.

A no water from well emergency doesn't always mean disaster. Many well problems have surprisingly simple solutions that homeowners can address themselves. Others require professional help—but even then, knowing what's happening puts you in control and helps you make smart decisions about emergency well repair.

Immediate Steps When Your Well Stopped Working

Before calling anyone or assuming the worst, run through these diagnostic steps. They take about 10 minutes and will either solve your problem or give you critical information for the repair technician.

Step 1: Check the Electrical Breaker

This is the single most common cause of sudden water loss from wells—and the easiest to fix. Power surges, lightning strikes, or even normal electrical fluctuations can trip your well pump breaker.

How to do it:

1. Locate your main electrical panel (usually in the garage, basement, or utility room)
2. Find the breaker labeled "Well," "Well Pump," "Pump," or similar
3. If it's in the middle position or clearly tripped, flip it fully OFF, wait 10 seconds, then flip it ON
4. Go check your water—run a faucet for 30-60 seconds to allow pressure to build

Step 2: Inspect the Pressure Switch

The pressure switch tells your pump when to turn on and off. It's usually a gray or black box mounted on or near your pressure tank, connected to a small pipe.

• Look for the pressure gauge — It should read between 30-50 PSI when the tank is full. Zero or very low readings indicate the tank is empty.
• Listen for clicking — Have someone turn on a faucet while you listen near the switch. Repeated clicking without the pump running suggests a faulty switch or no power reaching the pump.
• Check for burned contacts — If you're comfortable, you can turn off power and inspect the switch contacts. Blackened or pitted contacts need replacement ($150-$300 repair).

Step 3: Evaluate the Pressure Tank

Your pressure tank stores water under pressure so the pump doesn't have to run constantly. A failed tank bladder is a common problem.

Quick bladder test: Find the air valve on top of the tank (looks like a tire valve). Press it briefly with a screwdriver or valve tool:

• Air comes out: Bladder is intact (good)
• Water sprays out: Bladder has failed and needs replacement
• Nothing comes out: Tank may have lost all air pressure—try adding air with a bicycle pump to around 28 PSI (for a 30/50 system)

Step 4: Listen for the Pump

This simple test tells you a lot:

• Pump runs but no water: The pump may be failing, there could be a leak, or your well water level has dropped
• Pump hums but doesn't run: Possible seized motor or bad start capacitor
• Complete silence: No power reaching the pump (electrical issue or failed control box)
• Pump cycles on/off rapidly: Waterlogged pressure tank or major leak

Common Causes and Quick Diagnostics

Based on your observations above, here's what might be wrong and what it typically costs to fix:

For detailed information about pump issues, see our complete guide on signs your well pump is failing.

When to DIY vs. Call a Professional

Some well pump emergency situations are safe for handy homeowners to tackle. Others absolutely require professional help. Here's how to know the difference:

Remember: Well pumps operate on 220V electricity—the same as your dryer or stove. Combined with water, this is genuinely dangerous. If you're not completely comfortable working with electrical systems, there's no shame in calling for help. That's what we're here for.

Emergency Water Sources While Waiting for Repair

"Being without water is stressful, but it's rarely as catastrophic as it feels in the moment. Most well repairs are completed same-day once a technician arrives."

When your well stopped working and you're waiting for repairs, you still need water. Here are practical solutions:

Immediate Solutions (Same Day)

• Bottled water: Grocery stores, convenience stores, and Costco/Sam's Club stock large quantities. Budget $1-2 per gallon for drinking water.
• 5-gallon jugs: Water stores sell or rent dispensers and deliver same-day in most areas. One 5-gallon jug provides drinking/cooking water for a family of 4 for about 2 days.
• Neighbor with city water: Ask if you can fill containers. Most neighbors are happy to help in an emergency.
• Gym or fitness center: If you have a membership, use their showers and facilities.
• Laundromat: Handle washing clothes while your well is down.

Extended Outage Solutions (Multiple Days)

• Water delivery service: Companies deliver 250-500 gallon tanks that can be hooked to your pressure system temporarily.
• Rental water tanks: For major repairs (like well drilling), you can rent large storage tanks with regular delivery service.
• Hotel stay: For multi-day outages, a hotel may be more practical than trying to manage without water, especially with children.

For Livestock and Agriculture

If your well serves livestock, this is a genuine emergency. Animals can't wait days for water.

• Water trucking services: Agricultural water haulers can deliver thousands of gallons quickly.
• Fire department: Many rural fire departments will provide emergency water for livestock—call your non-emergency line to ask.
• Neighboring farms: Fellow farmers understand the urgency and may have equipment to help.

What to Expect: Cost and Timeline for Emergency Repairs

Understanding typical costs helps you make informed decisions and recognize fair pricing:

Service Call Fees

• Standard business hours: $75-$150 service call/diagnostic fee
• After-hours emergency: Additional $100-$200 for nights/weekends/holidays
• Service call typically includes: Travel time, system inspection, diagnosis, and repair estimate

Common Repair Costs

• Pressure switch replacement: $150-$300 (often completed same visit)
• Capacitor replacement: $100-$200 (usually same-day repair)
• Control box replacement: $200-$400 (same-day if parts available)
• Pressure tank replacement: $400-$1,000 depending on size (usually same-day)
• Well pump replacement: $1,500-$3,500 (may require scheduling a crew—typically 1-3 days)
• Well deepening or rehabilitation: $2,000-$15,000+ (requires permits and planning)

For complete pricing information, see our guides on well pump replacement costs and pressure tank replacement costs.

Preventing Future Well Emergencies

Once your immediate crisis is resolved, take steps to prevent future emergencies:

For a comprehensive maintenance plan, read our complete well maintenance guide and seasonal maintenance tips.

SCWS Emergency Service: What We Offer

Southern California Well Service has been helping families through well emergencies for over 30 years. Here's what you can expect when you call us:

• True 24/7 availability: We answer the phone and dispatch technicians nights, weekends, and holidays—not just an answering service that takes a message.
• Rapid response: For emergencies, we prioritize same-day service whenever possible.
• Experienced technicians: Our team has seen every type of well problem. We diagnose accurately and fix it right the first time.
• Transparent pricing: We explain what's wrong and what it costs before doing any work. No surprises.
• Stocked trucks: We carry common parts (pressure switches, capacitors, control boxes, and more) so most repairs can be completed in one visit.
• Full service capability: From simple switch replacements to complete pump installations, we handle it all.

Frequently Asked Questions