If you're on a well in the SF Bay Area and the taps just went dry, take a breath. Here's the order we'd have you check — the same order our technicians work through on a call.
1. Check your breaker panel
Start simple. A tripped breaker is the most common reason a well pump goes silent, and it's the easiest to rule out. Look for any flipped breakers in your electrical panel — especially one labeled for the well, pump, or water system. If it's tripped, flip it off, then back on once. If it trips again immediately, stop — that points to a short or a failing component, and you'll want a pro before you keep resetting it.
2. Check the pressure switch
The pressure switch tells the pump when to turn on and off. If you hear a faint click when you run a tap but no pump kicks on — or the switch looks corroded or burnt — the switch may have failed. These are inexpensive parts, but they carry line voltage, so this is where most homeowners should stop and call a licensed pump tech rather than dig in.
3. Don't run the pump dry
If the pump hums but no water comes, turn it off at the breaker. Running a pump dry — even for a minute — can burn out the motor and turn a repair into a full replacement. If the well itself is low or the pump has lost prime, letting it run does real damage.
When to call instead of keep checking.
If the breaker and switch check out and you still have no water, it's time for a pro. We're on the phone 24/7 with a real person — and we aim for a 60–90 minute response across the Bay Area.
When to call us
If you've ruled out the easy stuff, stop there. Our 24/7 emergency pump service handles no-water calls across Pacifica, San Francisco, Daly City, San Mateo, and Half Moon Bay — and most routine well pump repairs are same-day with parts on the truck. You can also request a quote online if it's not an emergency.