Question 1

What do I do if my well pump gets stuck?

Accepted Answer

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If your well pump gets stuck in its casing, you may be able to free it loose by gently wiggling the line or by vibrations from tapping the line with a hammer. However, if your pump is stuck in a buildup of minerals around the casing, you’ll probably have to call in a well pump contractor to get it out. They’ll likely use a muriatic acid solution—a strong, corrosive acid—to break down the minerals and free the pump loose.

To avoid a stuck pump in the future, experts recommend a professional well cleaning once every 10 years.

Question 2

How much psi should be in a pressure tank?

Accepted Answer

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The precharged pressure tank should start at around 28 psi. The two pressure settings of note are the cut-in and cut-out pressure. The well pump starts when the tank reaches the minimum cut-in pressure. It turns off when the tank reaches the maximum cut-out pressure. The desired water pressure in the household is usually a few psi above the cut-in number. The difference between the cut-in and cut-out pressure settings should be 20 psi. Typical settings for household applications include 20/40, 30/50, and 40/60.

Question 3

Can you fix a well pump yourself?

Accepted Answer

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It’s possible to fix a broken well pump yourself, but we don’t recommend it. Well pumps are hard to reach and service without the proper equipment, and even if you can reach the pump, it involves working in close proximity to water and electricity, which can be extremely dangerous. Any mistakes made during the repair process could contaminate your water supply or put you and your home at risk. Additionally, some states require that a licensed plumber carry out well pump repair. It’s worth it to hire a professional water pump repair service.

Question 4

Why do I need to drill a deeper well?

Accepted Answer

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There are many reasons you may want to extend the depth of an existing well or drill a new, deeper well on your property. A deeper well can tap cleaner water sources—shallow water may contain more contaminants. With a deeper well, you’ll also have an easier time reaching the water table depth (the level at which underground water is found) and can get past tricky soil conditions.

Plus, if your local building code requires a minimum well depth for safety and environmental standards, you’ll meet the code by digging a deeper well in the first place.

Question 5

Is well pump repair covered under homeowner’s insurance?

Accepted Answer

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Well pump repair might be covered by your homeowner’s insurance, but it’s typically not. If the damage results from a major storm in your area, flooding, a fire, or some other natural catastrophe, then you should consider filing a claim for the damage. However, if the issue is the result of an aging well pump, your policy will very likely not cover the repair cost. In either case, you should hire a well pump professional inspect your well pump, and then use that information to decide whether or not you should file a claim.