Identifying and Fixing Common Santa Fe Well Pump Issues

So, you get your water from a private well, not the city supply. That’s great – nothing beats the quality and convenience of your own personal water source.

But when something goes wrong with your Santa Fe well pump, it quickly disrupts your whole world.

No water pressure means no showers, no laundry, no way to flush the toilets!

And even if you’re still getting water, problems like low pressure or the pump cycling on and off constantly are a sign of trouble ahead.

This guide will walk you through the most common problems people run into with their Santa Fe residential well systems and well pumps.

Problem #1: The Pump Has No Power

You go to take a shower and nothing comes out of the faucet – not even a trickle. Uh oh, that’s a bad sign. When a well pump doesn’t turn on at all, there’s likely a power supply problem.

Start your troubleshooting by going to the circuit breaker panel. See if the dedicated breaker for the well pump has tripped. This might happen if the motor overloaded or there was a short circuit. Flip the switch all the way off and then back to the on position.

If that doesn’t work, head outside to the wellhead. Check for any damage to the power cable running underground from the house to the well pump. Chewed up insulation or severed wiring could cut power to the pump.

While you’re outside, open the cover on the electrical junction box. Make sure all the connections are tight and none of the wires are loose, corroded, or burnt. Wiggle everything to check for faulty or worn connections.

Next, go flip the power switch located near the pressure tank to the off setting and then back on again. This basic reset sometimes resolves minor control issues.

Still no luck getting the pump running? Let’s check a few more things:

• Test any GFCI outlet the pump is plugged into and reset if needed.
• Replace any blown fuses associated with the pump circuit.
• Consult your pump manual – the digital control box may flash error codes pointing to specific problems.

If after all this, your pump still won’t start up, it’s probably an issue that requires professional service – continued troubleshooting could be dangerous for an amateur. Call a qualified well technician to get power restored safely.

Problem #2: The Pump Turns On and Off Repeatedly

If your well pump is rapidly cycling on/off instead of running steadily, that’s called “short cycling.” This problem often crops up when pressure drops in the system.

Start keeping an ear out for how frequently the pump motor is clicking on and off. Count the minutes between cycles – is it happening every 5 minutes or more like every 30 seconds? The shorter the interval, the worse the problem is.

Rapid short cycling strains the pump components and can burn out the motor. Plus, it doesn’t give you a very consistent or adequate supply of household water. So what causes it?

A variety of issues can lead to short cycling, like:

• A water table dropping during drought makes the pump work harder to suck up water.
• A leak somewhere in the pipes is draining pressure from the system.
• The switch that senses pressure and turns the pump on/off has failed.
• Your pressure tank needs replacing – insufficient capacity requires more frequent pump restarts to replenish supply.
• Impellers and other interior pump parts are wearing out and working inefficiently.

Pinpointing what exactly is wrong takes some systematic detective work. Start with a visual inspection of the entire plumbing system. Listen closely to find leaks and look for wet spots. Shut off the pump and let it sit to see if pressure bleeds back as a clue to leaks.

You may be able to fix a stuck switch or bad pressure tank yourself, but repairs to well components require professional skills and tools. Don’t let short cycling go on too long before calling in a qualified well technician.

Problem #3: Water Pressure Drops Suddenly

You twist the faucet handle and just a weak trickle comes out – uh oh, that’s not a good sign! Low water pressure is super inconvenient and will damage appliances like your dishwasher if left unaddressed.

Several common factors can cause pressure to plummet:

• Mineral buildup or debris partially clogging the well intake screen
• A leak in the discharge pipe or connectors is bleeding off pressure
• Malfunction of the pressure sensing switch that controls the pump
• Your pump and motor just can’t keep up with household demand anymore
• The pre-charged pressure tank has failed internally
• A filter packed with sediment is restricting flow

Start with the easiest DIY checks first – switch the pump on/off, bleed built-up air from the lines, and change out the filter if needed. Inspect all plumbing for leaks or damage.

If pressure at the wellhead is low but fine up at the house, the problem lies with the well or pump itself. That requires a pro. Don’t just resign yourself to weak pressure – prolonged issues can damage plumbing and cut your water supply.

Problem #4: Gurgling Noises and Air in the Pipes

Loud gurgling or hissing from your pipes is not only annoying but indicates a serious issue – air has gotten into the water lines. This compromises pressure and pump function.

Air can enter the pressurized plumbing system through various faults like:

• Cracked, detached, or broken suction pipes down in the well
• Loose fittings up near the pressure tank
• Perforations in the discharge pipe running to the house
• Failures in components like gaskets or the pump impeller
• A ruptured bladder inside the pressure tank

Tracking down the source of air in well pipes takes patience. Methodically inspect every possible entry point from house plumbing back down into the well itself. Operate all fixtures to see if air spurts out anywhere.

Don’t just bleed the air out temporarily – air will keep entering and potentially damage your pump. Identify and repair the underlying problem. If you can’t find the cause, call a well technician for help before permanent damage is done.

Call the Pros for Complex or Chronic Issues

While some well pump troubles can be addressed with basic DIY fixes, it’s important to know your limits too. Calling a professional well contractor is smart when:

• Electrical faults or in-well repairs are needed – safely accessing submerged components requires special tools.
• You can’t diagnose why symptoms persist after multiple attempts.
• Significant repairs or replacements are needed – don’t take chances with DIY patches.
• Suspect there could be underlying issues with well construction or water supply.
• Unsure about safely using circuit breakers, junction boxes, or dealing with flooded pump pits.

Homeowners shouldn’t feel ashamed for seeking help from qualified well experts. The right contractor has specialized expertise gained from repairing all kinds of tricky well pump problems over many years. Investing in professional maintenance and repairs prevents much more costly breakdowns and emergency service calls down the road.

Stay On Top of Things with Preventative Care

While even well-maintained pump systems can still have occasional issues crop up, you can avoid many major headaches by putting a little time into preventative care.

Make it a habit to periodically:

• Listen for changes in normal operating sounds that could signal future trouble.
• Check that wiring connections are tight and water fittings are leak-free.
• Test pressure at different fixtures and record results to compare over time.
• Lubricate and inspect moving parts like pump motors and pressure switches.
• Clear debris from around the wellhead and keep ventilation openings unblocked.
• Drain pressure tanks and filters per manufacturer instructions.

Like anything in life, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure when it comes to well pumps, well repairs, and residential water wells. Stay vigilant and address any minor issues promptly before they snowball into bigger problems. Knowing how to recognize and troubleshoot the most common well pump ailments keeps your family happily hydrated!