Emergency Well Repair: What to Do When Your Well Fails

No water coming from your faucets? A well emergency is stressful—but don't panic. Most well failures can be diagnosed and repaired within hours when you know what to do and who to call. Whether it's midnight on a holiday weekend or a Tuesday afternoon, understanding emergency well repair saves you time, money, and frustration. Here's your complete guide to handling well emergencies in San Diego County.

Common Well Emergencies

Well systems can fail suddenly or gradually. Recognizing the type of emergency helps you communicate clearly with your repair service and understand what to expect.

Complete Water Loss (Most Urgent)

You turn on a faucet and nothing comes out—not even a trickle. This is the most urgent well emergency and can be caused by:

• Failed pump: Motor burnout, broken impellers, or electrical failure
• Electrical problems: Tripped breaker, blown fuse, failed control box
• Broken pipe: Drop pipe failure inside the well
• Dry well: Water level dropped below pump intake (common during drought)
• Pressure tank failure: Waterlogged tank preventing pump from running

Immediate action: Check your electrical panel first. If the breaker is tripped, don't immediately reset it—a tripped breaker often indicates a serious electrical problem. Call for emergency service.

Pump Runs But No Water

You hear the pump motor running, but no water flows. This indicates:

• Lost prime: Air in the system preventing water flow (jet pumps)
• Broken drop pipe: Water pumping back into well
• Failed check valve: Water draining back down
• Pump set too high: Water level dropped below intake

Severely Reduced Water Pressure

Water flows, but pressure is dramatically lower than normal. Causes include:

• Failing pump: Worn impellers reducing output
• Clogged screen: Sediment blocking water intake
• Pressure switch problems: Cut-in/cut-out settings incorrect
• Waterlogged pressure tank: No air cushion remaining
• Leak in system: Underground pipe leak or bad fitting

Electrical Problems

Pump trips breaker repeatedly, control box sparks, or burning smell from electrical components:

• Control box failure: Capacitors or relays failed
• Short in pump wiring: Underground wire damage
• Lightning damage: Surge damage to electrical components
• Overloaded pump motor: Drawing excessive amperage

Safety first: Don't repeatedly reset tripped breakers. Electrical problems can cause fires. Turn off power and call emergency service.

Water Quality Emergencies

While less immediately critical than complete water loss, these situations require urgent attention:

• Sudden muddy/dirty water: May indicate well collapse or pump screen failure
• Fuel/chemical smell: Possible contamination requiring immediate testing
• Septic odor: Possible cross-contamination from septic system

Immediate Steps During a Well Emergency

When your well fails, taking the right immediate actions minimizes damage and speeds repair. Here's your step-by-step emergency protocol:

Step 1: Stop Using Water

• Don't flush toilets
• Don't run faucets or appliances
• If pressure tank still has water, conserve it for essential use only

Step 2: Check Your Electrical Panel

• Look for tripped breakers or blown fuses
• Check the main breaker for the well pump circuit
• Don't repeatedly reset tripped breakers—this indicates a problem
• Note which breaker is tripped to tell the repair technician

Step 3: Check the Pressure System

• Look at your pressure gauge (typically near pressure tank)
• Normal reading is 40-60 PSI
• Zero pressure usually means pump failure
• Listen for pump running—if it runs continuously, turn it off at breaker

Step 4: Turn Off the Pump

• If pump runs but produces no water, shut it off immediately
• If electrical problems are suspected, kill power at breaker
• Leave pump off until professional service arrives

Step 5: Gather Well Information

Having this information ready speeds diagnosis and repair:

• Well depth (check your well permit or log)
• Pump age and type (submersible or jet)
• Recent well work or changes
• Symptoms you observed before complete failure
• Location of wellhead and pressure system

Step 6: Call Emergency Well Service

Don't wait until morning if you have no water. Emergency well repair is available 24/7 for a reason—these situations require immediate professional attention.

Emergency Well Repair Costs

Emergency service costs more than scheduled work—but when you need water, it's worth every penny. Here's what to expect:

Emergency Service Pricing Factors

• Time of service: After-hours (5pm-8am) and weekends cost more
• Distance: Remote locations may have additional travel charges
• Severity: Complete system failures require more labor than simple fixes
• Parts availability: Emergency parts procurement adds cost
• Weather conditions: Severe weather may impact pricing and response time

What to Expect from Emergency Well Service

Response Time

Professional emergency well service prioritizes calls based on severity:

• Complete water loss: 2-4 hours typical response (business hours)
• After-hours/weekend emergencies: 3-6 hours typical
• Remote locations: 4-8 hours depending on distance
• Major weather events: Response times may extend when multiple emergencies occur

Diagnostic Process

When the technician arrives, they'll systematically diagnose your problem:

1. Electrical testing: Check power supply, breakers, control box, wiring
2. Pressure system inspection: Pressure gauge, pressure switch, pressure tank
3. Pump assessment: Listen for motor operation, check amperage draw
4. Well inspection: Check wellhead, pitless adapter, any visible components
5. System testing: Attempt to identify specific failure point

Many problems can be diagnosed within 30-60 minutes of arrival.

Immediate Repair vs. Temporary Fix

Not all emergency repairs can be completed immediately. Your technician will discuss options:

Immediate repairs (same visit):

• Pressure switch replacement
• Control box replacement (if carried in truck)
• Pressure tank replacement (common sizes)
• Minor electrical repairs
• Check valve replacement (accessible jet pumps)

Requires scheduling follow-up:

• Submersible pump replacement (requires pulling well)
• Major electrical work
• Well rehabilitation
• Large diameter pressure tank installation

In cases requiring follow-up work, technicians often provide temporary solutions like portable pressure tanks or alternate pump settings to restore basic water service until permanent repairs can be completed.

Preventing Well Emergencies

While some failures are unpredictable, many well emergencies can be prevented with proper maintenance and attention to warning signs.

Warning Signs of Impending Failure

Don't ignore these symptoms—they indicate problems that will worsen:

• Sputtering faucets: Air in lines suggests pump losing prime or drawing air
• Reduced pressure: Gradual pressure loss indicates pump wear or system issues
• Pump cycles frequently: Short-cycling wears out pump and indicates pressure tank problems
• Unusual noises: Grinding, clicking, or humming from pump or control box
• Tripped breakers: Occasional breaker trips signal electrical problems developing
• Cloudy or sandy water: May indicate pump screen problems or well issues
• Higher electric bills: Failing pump motors draw more power

Pro tip: Schedule service immediately when you notice warning signs. A $300 repair today prevents a $3,000 emergency tomorrow.

Preventive Maintenance Schedule

Regular maintenance dramatically reduces emergency risk:

• Annual inspection: Professional system check including pressure, flow, electrical
• Every 3-5 years: Pressure tank inspection and potential replacement
• Every 10 years: Pump assessment and potential replacement before failure
• Monthly homeowner checks: Monitor pressure gauge, listen for unusual sounds

Learn more about comprehensive well maintenance programs to protect your investment.

Age-Based Replacement

Proactive pump replacement before failure prevents emergencies:

• Submersible pumps: Replace at 12-15 years even if still working
• Jet pumps: Replace at 8-10 years
• Pressure tanks: Replace at 10-12 years
• Control boxes: Replace with pump or at 15 years

Scheduled replacement costs 30-50% less than emergency replacement and allows you to choose timing that works for your schedule and budget.

Emergency Well Repair for Different Well Types

Deep Well Emergencies (Submersible Pumps)

Most San Diego County wells use submersible pumps in wells 150-600 feet deep:

Common emergency issues:

• Pump motor failure (most common)
• Control box failure
• Underground wire damage
• Drop pipe separation
• Lightning damage

Emergency limitations:

Submersible pump replacement requires pulling hundreds of feet of pipe—a job that typically can't be completed during an emergency call. Technicians can diagnose the problem and schedule urgent follow-up, often within 24-48 hours.

Shallow Well Emergencies (Jet Pumps)

Jet pumps in well houses are more accessible for emergency repair:

Common emergency issues:

• Lost prime (most common, often fixable same visit)
• Pump motor failure
• Pressure switch problems
• Foot valve failure
• Check valve problems

Emergency advantages:

Above-ground jet pumps are easier to service. Many emergency repairs can be completed same-visit, including pump replacement if the service truck carries appropriate sizes.

Special Emergency Scenarios

Power Outage-Related Emergencies

Power outages stress well systems. After power restoration:

• Pump won't restart: May need manual reset of pressure switch
• Tripped breaker: Power surge may have damaged control box or pump
• Lost prime (jet pumps): Pump may need repriming after extended outage

Drought-Related Emergencies

During drought, water levels drop:

• Pump drawing air: Water level dropped below pump intake
• Intermittent water: Pump at edge of water column
• Emergency solutions: Lower pump temporarily, drill deeper well, or add supplemental water storage

Lightning Strike Damage

Lightning can destroy well electrical systems instantly:

• Typical damage: Control box, pump motor, pressure switch, wiring
• Insurance: Check your homeowner's policy—lightning damage is often covered
• Prevention: Lightning arrestors ($150-300) protect your system

Emergency Preparedness for Well Owners

Smart well owners prepare for potential emergencies:

Keep Emergency Information Accessible

• Emergency well service phone number: (760) 440-8520
• Well depth and pump information
• Well permit number
• Location of wellhead and pressure tank
• Breaker locations for well system

Maintain Emergency Water Supply

• Store 3-7 days of drinking water (1 gallon per person per day)
• Keep empty containers available to fill if water pressure drops
• Consider portable water storage for livestock or business operations

Know Your System

• Where is your wellhead?
• Where is your pressure tank?
• Which breaker controls your well pump?
• What type of pump do you have?
• When was your pump installed?

Frequently Asked Questions