A pump that stops dead overnight usually gave warnings first — they were just easy to miss. Here's what to watch for, and the quick checks worth doing before you call anyone out.
The signs worth acting on
- Air spitting from the taps — the pump may be drawing air, or the well level is dropping
- Pressure that sags whenever more than one tap is open
- The pump switching on and off rapidly (short-cycling) — often a pressure-tank or switch fault
- The pump running constantly and never settling
- Cloudy, sandy or discoloured water that wasn't there before
- A creeping rise in your electricity use with no other explanation
Quick checks before you call
Some of these have simple causes you can rule out yourself: a tripped breaker, a valve left closed after other work, an obviously leaking pipe between pump and tank. If the basics are fine and the symptom persists, that's the point to call — describe what you're seeing, because a fair few faults can be narrowed down over the phone before anyone drives out.
Repair or replace?
Not every failing pump needs replacing — sometimes it's a switch, a pressure tank or a wiring fault, not the pump itself. An honest diagnosis tells you which, and on a pump that's genuinely near the end, replacing beats repeatedly repairing. Either way you should hear the reasoning, not just the price.
Common questions
My pump stopped completely — is it always the pump? No. Power, a tripped safety cut-out, a stuck switch and a dropping well level all look like 'no water' from the tap. That's why diagnosis comes before any part is quoted.
How often should a well pump be checked? A once-a-year checkup catches wear before it becomes a dry tap, and it's the core of a maintenance contract for villas and rentals that can't afford surprise breakdowns.