Well Pump and Pressure Tank Checks for Reliable Water

A well system problem often shows up as a household problem. Showers pulse hot and cold. Sprinklers sputter. A pressure gauge swings. The pump runs longer than usual. Then you hear advice that jumps straight to replacing the pump. A better path starts with diagnosis steps that isolate the real failure point.

In Northern California, many properties outside city water rely on wells, storage tanks, and booster pumps. In the North Bay, hillside lots and long service lines add pressure loss. Seasonal demand shifts with irrigation and livestock use. Power outages also hit rural areas more often, so water resiliency matters.

Use this checklist to keep scope clear and avoid unnecessary parts.

Know the main parts of a typical well system

Most residential systems share the same core elements.
• Well and pump, submersible pump in the well or a jet pump at the surface
• Pressure tank, stores pressurized water to reduce pump cycling
• Pressure switch, turns the pump on and off based on pressure settings
• Check valve, keeps water from draining back into the well
• Electrical controls, breaker, disconnect, control box on some pumps
• Filtration or treatment, sediment filters, softeners, or other systems
• Storage tanks or booster pumps on some properties

When you know these parts, you ask better questions and spot vague estimates.

Start with the symptom list

Write down what you see. Include timing and which fixtures show the issue.
• Low pressure at all fixtures or only one area
• Pressure starts strong, then fades after a minute
• Rapid on-off cycling while water runs
• Air sputtering at faucets
• Dirty water after heavy use or irrigation
• Unusual pump noise or vibration
• Wet ground near the well head, pressure tank, or supply line

A clear symptom list helps the technician test the right section first.

Pressure problems often trace to the pressure tank or switch

Many “bad pump” stories start with a failed tank or a stuck switch.

Pressure tank warning signs
• Short cycling, the pump starts and stops rapidly
• Tank feels “hollow” when tapped, then suddenly heavy
• Waterlogged behavior, pressure swings and weak recovery

Pressure switch warning signs
• Clicking without consistent pump response
• Burn marks or corrosion at contacts
• Pressure rises but the pump fails to shut off at the cut-out setting

Ask the technician to test tank air charge and inspect switch condition before recommending a pump replacement.

Use the pressure gauge as a simple diagnostic tool

A gauge reading tells a story when you watch it over time.

Try this homeowner check:

Turn off all water use.

Watch the pressure gauge for five minutes.

Note whether pressure stays steady, drifts down slowly, or drops quickly.

A slow drop often points to a leak, a bad check valve, or a failing foot valve on certain setups. A fast drop often points to a leak closer to the tank, fittings, or house line. Share what you observed with the technician.

Low pressure at one faucet often points to a local issue

If only one fixture shows low pressure, the well system might be fine.

Common local causes:
• Clogged aerator
• Partially closed angle stop valve under a sink
• Failing shower cartridge
• Older galvanized branch lines with internal buildup
• Sediment clogging at a filter housing

Ask the technician to isolate local issues before testing the entire system. This step saves time and cost.

Sediment and dirty water need source and timing notes

Dirty water after heavy irrigation often points to sediment disturbance. Dirty water after service work can point to a disturbed well column. Dirty water after storms can raise questions about wellhead grading and sealing.

Ask about:
• Sediment filter placement and filter change schedule
• Filter sizing relative to your flow demand
• Well head sealing and grading around the casing
• Storage tank cleaning schedule when storage exists

If filtration is in scope, ask the provider to state what the filter addresses, sediment, taste, odor, hardness, or bacteria concerns. Avoid bundling multiple issues into one vague “water treatment” line.

Electrical issues mimic pump failure

A pump that fails to start might be an electrical problem.

Ask the technician to check:
• Breaker and disconnect condition
• Voltage at the pressure switch
• Control box condition for systems that use one
• Wire connections at the well head
• Signs of overheating at terminals

This testing step matters on rural properties where power quality varies.

Storage tanks, boosters, and irrigation zones add complexity

Some properties use storage tanks, booster pumps, and separate irrigation systems. That changes diagnosis.

Ask for separate line items for:
• Domestic water system diagnosis and repair
• Irrigation booster or pump station diagnosis and repair
• Tank level controls and float switches
• Backflow protection where irrigation ties in

A blended quote often hides which system needs work. Separate scopes keep it clear.

Pump replacement decisions, ask for evidence and sizing logic

When pump replacement becomes the right move, ask for evidence and sizing notes.

Key questions:
• What test result supports pump failure
• Pump depth and setting details
• Flow and pressure target for household and irrigation needs
• Condition of drop pipe and wiring, replace or reuse, stated clearly
• Check valve replacement scope
• Pressure tank and switch review, since new pumps still need stable controls

Also ask for clean handling steps that protect the well casing and reduce contamination risk during pull work.

Sump pumps and foundation pumps are a different scope

Some homes use sump or foundation pumps to manage groundwater under basements or crawl spaces. That work differs from domestic well supply work.

Ask for:
• Basin condition and float switch test
• Discharge line routing and freeze protection in colder zones
• Check valve placement
• Battery backup plan when outages are common
• Alarm and high-water indicator options

In wet winters, sump reliability matters as much as roof drainage.

Solar pumps and pond pumps, clarify duty cycle and maintenance

Solar pumps and pond pumps show up on rural properties and agricultural sites.

Ask for:
• Duty cycle expectations and seasonal operation plan
• Panel placement and wiring protection
• Intake screening and debris control
• Winterization steps where freezing risk exists

Keep these systems separate from the domestic well scope, since parts and labor differ.

How to compare providers with a scope checklist

Well work includes many sub-systems, so a service menu helps you organize your questions and split bids into clear buckets instead of one lump sum.

Use this checklist when you compare proposals:
• Diagnosis steps listed, gauge review, electrical tests, and tank tests
• Parts list, tank, switch, check valve, wiring, filters, plus what gets reused
• System boundaries, domestic, irrigation, storage, booster, sump
• Water quality scope, which issue and which treatment
• Access plan, well head access, trenching needs, and protection steps
• Verification plan, pressure test, flow test, and leak check after work
• Maintenance notes, filter schedule, tank air charge checks, and inspection timing

Ask each provider to explain failure risk if you delay the repair. A clear answer helps you prioritize.

After-repair verification at home

After work, do simple checks:
• Watch the pressure gauge during a shower and during a hose run
• Listen for rapid cycling, which signals tank or switch issues
• Look for new drips at fittings and unions
• Check filter housings for seepage after first use
• Note pump run-time behavior, unusually long runs or short bursts

Then keep a simple record in your home file: pump model, install date, pressure settings, tank size, filter sizes, and any test results. That record makes future service faster and reduces repeat diagnostic time.

A well system feels complex, yet it follows clear logic. Stable pressure comes from a healthy pump, a properly charged tank, a working switch, and tight piping. A written scope that separates diagnosis, parts, and system boundaries protects you from guesswork and helps you restore reliable water on properties that depend on