Well Pump Starting Too Often? Try this

Your submersible pump might be switching on more frequently than it previously did, or maybe the pressure switch’s clicking is way too often. If you face a similar situation, then there might be an issue of rapid cycling. Frequent turning on and off of the pump is referred to as rapid cycling.

If this is ignored, the pump’s life expectancy and other parts of your water system may decrease significantly. If there is a cycling of more than one cycle per 30 seconds by your pressure switch, you might find this blog post really useful.

Warning: Electricity can be hazardous. So before testing any electrical component, make sure that the power supply breakers are turned off and stay cautious. Only if you’re 100% sure, that you can safely perform tests, proceed. Otherwise, it is better to call a professional expert.

If your motor starts frequently, there is a high chance that one of the following issues is there:

·       Pressure switch: See if your pressure switch has any fault or wear and tear and check the pressure switch’s settings as well. In case there is something wrong, you might need to replace the switch or modify the settings. It is also likely that there might be clogging in the pressure tube due to sediment buildup, so checking it might be helpful as well.

·       Bladder: If your motor is starting too often, you might have an issue with water logging in the tank. In the latest tanks, it can be because of a faulty tank bladder, whereas in the old builds, it can be due to faulty air volume controls.

If you have a modern tank with a bladder to checks the tank’s pressure, drain out systems’ pressure. The value should be 2-3 points lesser than the preset low/ cut-on pressure. Let’s say if you have a pressure setting of 40/60, then the tank’s pressure should be approximately 38 PSI. It is advised to get a modern bladder tank if your current tank cannot hold air. If you plan to change your tank, make sure that the new tank’s sizing is done correctly.

·       System leakages: If all the above things were not the problems, then probably it is the leakage in the system that causes the problem.

To see if the pipe that is supplying water from the well to the house has any leakages using pressure gauge positioned near pressure switch, and shit off valve positioned after it. Firstly stop the water supply to your home by turning the shutoff valve off. Your water is going elsewhere if, even after closing your shutoff valve, there is a pressure reading. Since now it’s confirmed there are leakages, call a professional to locate them and fix them.

·       Stuck/Open check valve: When the pump turns off, your system will not hold up pressure if there is a faulty check valve. Generally, a check valve in-between pressure tank and pump might be the issue. To resolve this issue, you need to replace the check valve. A professional might be needed if your well has a larger depth.

I hope the above guide assisted you in locating and resolving the problem. For further questions and advice, reach out to us by calling us at ‪(760) 440-8520‬.