Well pump repair and replacement: what every rural Colorado owner should know
When a well pump stops working, the trouble is not always the pump itself, because a tripped breaker, a worn pressure switch or a failed control box can leave you without water just as fast. Kuntz Pump & Well Supply repairs and replaces well pumps for farms, ranches and rural homes across Northeast Colorado, with same-day service and after-hours calls. This guide explains how a well pump system works, the most common failures and how to decide between repair and replacement.
How a well pump system works
Most rural homes in Northeast Colorado use a submersible well pump. The pump and motor sit down in the well, below the water level, and push water up the drop pipe to the surface. Above ground, a pressure switch tells the pump when to start and stop, and a well pressure tank stores water under pressure so the pump does not run every time a tap opens.
Many submersible pumps also have a control box that holds the start components for the motor. A check valve keeps water from draining back down the well when the pump shuts off. Every one of these parts can fail, which is why a good repair starts with figuring out which part actually quit. Farm wells that feed a pivot use larger equipment, covered on our irrigation pump services page.
Common signs of well pump trouble
The most obvious sign is no water at the tap. Other warning signs include pressure that drops off or surges, faucets that sputter or spit air, and a pump that clicks on and off every few seconds. A pump that runs and will not shut off is a problem too, since it can mean a leak, a failed switch or a pump that can no longer build pressure.
Sand or cloudy water after the pump runs, or a sudden jump in your electric bill, can also point to a pump that is wearing out. Catching these signs early can keep a small repair from turning into a full replacement. The EPA's guide to private drinking water wells has more on caring for a household well.
Check above ground first
Before anyone pulls a pump, the quick things get ruled out. We check the breaker and wiring, the pressure switch, the control box and the well pressure tank. A burned pressure switch contact or a bad start capacitor in the control box is a far simpler fix than pulling the pump.
Rapid on and off cycling, often called short cycling, is usually a waterlogged pressure tank or a bad switch rather than the pump. Left alone, short cycling wears the pump out faster, because every start puts strain on the motor.
When the pump has to come out
If the trouble is down the well, our hoist truck pulls the pump so we can inspect the pump, the motor, the wire and splices, the drop pipe and the check valve. Worn impellers, a failed motor, a damaged wire or a leaking pipe joint are some of the most common problems we find.
Colorado's well construction rules say pulling pumping equipment to repair or replace it does not need a new well permit, as long as the casing is not changed and the new equipment does not pump more than the existing permit allows. Installing a larger pump that would exceed the permitted rate does require a new permit, so it pays to size the replacement correctly.
Should you repair or replace a well pump?
It depends on what failed and the condition of the rest of the system. A bad switch, capacitor or check valve is usually a repair. A pump with a failed motor or worn impellers is often better replaced, especially if it has been in the well for many years. If the pump has to come out anyway, it can make sense to replace worn wire or pipe at the same time.
We explain what we found and the options before doing the work, so you can decide based on the facts.
Who can install a well pump in Colorado?
Colorado requires permanent pump installations to be done by a licensed pump installation contractor or a registered private pump installer. A pump installation report is filed with the state each time a pump is installed, which keeps the well's permit file up to date. You can look up your own well's file with the state's well permit search. Kuntz Pump & Well Supply holds Colorado water well construction and pump installation license #1574.
Keep your well pressure tank in good shape
The pressure tank and switch protect the pump. A tank that has lost its air charge makes the pump start far more often than it should, and that extra wear shortens pump life. Checking the tank whenever the pump is serviced is one of the simplest ways to get more years out of a new pump. Well pressure tank repair and replacement is part of our pump service.
Well pump repair across Northeast Colorado
We are based in Atwood and serve Logan, Morgan, Sedgwick, Washington, Phillips and eastern Weld counties. Our office is open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with on-call service on weekends, and we take after-hours calls when your water is out. Call (970) 522-2035 or send a request describing the problem, and we will get your water running again.
