Why Is My Well Pump Cycling On and Off?

You've probably heard about getting off the grid. Moving to rural areas, often in tiny homes or on homesteads, is a popular topic on social media. Individuals share how they set up solar, water or wind energy to avoid relying on the traditional power grid.

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People have been going "off grid" for their water supply for decades, using well pumps to pull water up from ground sources and other areas. Well pumps are common in rural areas, but many people don't understand how well pump cycling can impact their home.

What Is a Well Pump?

A well pump is exactly what it sounds like: a pump that draws water up out of a well or water source so it can be used in various ways. A common application is drawing water from a groundwater source into a home for use in sinks, toilets, showers and appliances.

You may need a well pump if you:

• Live in an area not serviced by municipal water systems. Anyone who buys or builds a home outside city or town water lines may have to dig a well and pump water from it into their home with a well pump. In suburban areas, you may see small outbuildings known as pump sheds that house the well pump. In other cases, the pump is located underground inside the well pipe itself.

• Want to leverage your own water source. In some locations, people who live near enough to a city to access the municipal water supply may opt for a well pump to support water independence or for other reasons. You'll need to verify the regulations in your locale to see if you have such options.

• Need to use water for agricultural or other purposes. Farms and other businesses may use well pumps to draw water from one area, such as a pond, to support irrigation or watering herds.

How Does a Well Pump Work?

A well pump pushes or pulls water into a holding tank in or near a home. Submersible pumps, which are located inside the well and below the water, push water through a pipe up into the home. Jet pumps, which are located above ground and outside the water, pull water up.

Either way, the water ends up in a tank. When you turn on a faucet or water-using appliance in your house, water comes from that tank to the location needed. As the water level in the tank goes down, the air pressure in the holding tank changes. That change signals the well pump to turn on again, pushing or pulling more water to fill the tank. That on-and-off process is known as well pump cycling.

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Reasons Your Well Water Pump Is Short-Cycling

When everything's working correctly, your well pump cycles on and off to fill the tank as needed, ensuring the water supply throughout your home. However, if its timing doesn't align with the well pump pressure switch signals — or the expected cadence needed to fill the holding tank — well pump short cycling occurs.

If your well pump runs constantly or turns on and off quickly and repeatedly, it usually means well pump troubleshooting is in order. Some reasons for short cycling include:

• Leaks. Pumps rely on pressure to tell them when to operate. A leak in your system reduces pressure, which can confuse the pump mechanisms and lead to more frequent cycling.

• Tank damage. Anything in your tank that negatively impacts the air pressure mechanics can cause your well pump to cycle faster. That includes waterlogged components, damaged bladders or other issues.

• Pressure switch issues. The pressure switch tells the pump to turn on and off, so if it malfunctions, your pump may not operate correctly. Pressure switches can fail due to a variety of causes, including debris building up around the switch and electrical issues.

• Inappropriate pump. If your pump isn't the right size for your well or home water needs, it may not work well and could start short-cycling.

Still Can't Figure Out Why Your Well Pump Is Cycling on and Off?

If you think your well pump is clicking on and off outside of normal cycling parameters, consider consulting a professional to find and repair the source of the problem to reduce costs and avoid additional issues later on.