Monthly Archives: February 2020

Possible Causes of Continuously Running Well Pumps, Part 2

In part one of this two-part blog series, we went over some of the potential causes associated with water well pumps that run continuously. These pumps are meant to cycle on and off based on water needs in the structure, but certain malfunctions may cause them to run all the time, leading to not only leak and water damage issues, but also increased strain on the pump over time.

At Mike Zimmerman Well Service LLC, well pumps are just one are of our comprehensive water well services, which include a full range of well drilling and rehabilitation solutions. Today’s part two will dig into a few additional potential causes of this condition within your well pump, plus what you can do if you’ve noticed this issue and are looking to remedy it in a low-cost, low-hassle way.

Dropping Water Level

In some cases, the water well itself may be having issues with its water level. This could be a result of several potential causes, from reduced water table levels to a local drought or some kind of other increase in separate local water demands that has lowered your levels.

When this happens, some pump systems may continue to run endlessly, searching for more water to pump in and meet the structure’s needs. To remedy this, call our team to determine what the source of the low water level is to begin with, then remedy it and bring your water levels back to the place where they need to be moving forward.

Loss of Priming

For those who use an above-ground jet pump system for their water well, a priming device is also utilized. This system involves the intake pipe always containing water inside it, allowing for proper suction and pressure levels for the entire setup.

If the intake pipe becomes empty, however, this priming capability will be lost and cause the pump to simply run continuously. This may be caused by a leak or due to improper installation or replacement of pumps or piping. In either case, contact our team about remedying the issue.

Tubes or Contact Points

In part one, we mentioned user error when it comes to pressure gauge setup for the water well – some do not set the gauge correctly, leading to running issues. However, similar issues may also arise due to areas outside your control, namely clogged tubes or burned contact points that alter the pressure control settings or how the pump interprets them. Such issues will require a basic inspection and possibly repairs from our experienced professionals.

For more on the kinds of issues that may be causing your well pump to run continuously rather than in its proper cycle, or to learn about any of our well pump repair or other services, speak to the staff at Mike Zimmerman Well Service LLC today.

Possible Causes of Continuously Running Well Pumps, Part 1

When it comes to water wells, few components are more important than well pumps. Responsible for physically transporting a water well’s clean, healthy water to the desired fixtures, water wells need to be well-maintained and kept at high working levels regularly.

At Mike Zimmerman Well Service LLC, we provide a variety of water well testing, treatment and repair services, including several services for well pumps. One of the more frequent issues we run into in homes with water wells: Pumps that run continuously, which risks everything from increased utility bills to water damage and even structural issues. In this two-part blog series, let’s go over some of the possible culprits behind this condition, plus how you can ensure it’s not an issue for your water well.
causes continuously running well pumps

Submersible Pump Damage

The submersible pump is the component in charge of delivering water to the pressure tank, which is located at the very bottom of the water well. If there’s any damage to this pump, however, which can include issues from basic leaks to corrosion, this pump will not be able to switch off.

In this case, you should call our team immediately for repairs. Any delay will only allow the damage to increase, raising your bill even further. Our primary goal will be to patch the issue or replace the pipe with more durable options.

Leak Concerns

Generally speaking, not just in the submersible pump, leaks are another issue that can cause continuous running from the well pump. Certain well pipes may have been installed decades ago, including galvanized pipe formats that are known to have issues with corrosion over a long period of time. Such older systems not only obtain leaks more easily, but also may have issues determining when to properly shut off.

Other Fixtures

Another possible cause of a continuously running well pump is a similar condition taking place within a given plumbing fixture, such as a toilet or faucet. Such fixtures, if malfunctioning, may run continuously on their own, which in turn requires the well pump to continue running to provide water. Take a quick search around your home to determine if any fixtures are running before you move to other potential causes of the pump issue.

Pressure Issues

These issues could also be brought on by issues with your pressure gauge within the water well and pump system. This gauge is there specifically to help the system determine when it should turn on and off, among other factors, so issues with it will cause improper behavior here. In other cases, the pressure control valve might not be set correctly, causing similar issues and potential pump wear-down over time.

For more on the reasons why your water well pump is running continuously, or to learn about any of our water well digging or rehabilitation services, speak to the staff at Mike Zimmerman Well Service LLC today.