When you rely on a well rather than a municipal system to supply your home with water, one of the few maintenance tasks is knowing when to get the pump repaired or replaced. How long the well pump lasts depends in part on your water’s sediment content. Submersible pumps in low-sediment water last 15 to 25 years, compared to those in high-sediment water, which can last five to six years. Here are a few signs of a malfunctioning well pump, so you know when to schedule timely repair or replacement services.

What Are the Signs of a Problematic Well Pump?

1. Dirty Water

Cloudy or murky water tells you that sediment has entered the well pump. The device may have been installed at the wrong depth and needs to be placed further down into the well to prevent corrosion and premature wear from sediments. It could also mean the water table has lowered from drought, a nearby business using high amounts of water, or debris blocking the filtering elements. If the issue is because of a clogged filter, water cannot enter the casing efficiently.

2. Higher Utility Bills

When a well pump is the wrong size, needs to be lowered, or starts to fail, you will notice an increase in your utility bills. This is because the pump is either cycling on and off or running continuously in an attempt to maintain water pressure.

3. Sputtering Faucets

If your faucets always seem to blast air and spit water before they work normally, the well pump isn’t doing its job. Spitting, sputtering faucets could mean the drop pipe connected to the pump is damaged or the check valve has gone bad. It could also mean the device needs to be installed at a lower level in the well.

4. Power Loss

When the pump stops working and you are not experiencing a power outage, the problem is likely related to the device’s position in the well or drought. If the water doesn’t flow from your faucets after a few hours of no use, the well pump needs to be lowered or replaced if it’s old and faulty.

Don’t let a malfunctioning well pump cause more problems, and schedule work with Ace Drilling to keep the water flowing. Led by brothers Dave and Jay Bick, this Polson, MT-based well drilling and pump service provides the guaranteed solutions clients need. Call the family-owned company with over 30 years of combined experience today at (406) 883-3300 to schedule service, or learn more about their pump solutions online.