If you live on a well in Pacifica or anywhere across the SF Bay Area, your well pump is the heart of your water system. And like any hardworking piece of equipment, it wears down over time. The good news? It almost always tells you before it quits. Here are the seven most common warning signs — and what each one actually means.
1. No Water at All
The most obvious sign. You turn on the tap and nothing comes out. This could mean the pump has stopped running entirely, the pressure switch has failed, or a breaker has tripped. Before you panic, check your breaker box — but if everything looks normal, it's time to call a professional. A pump that won't start at all usually points to a motor failure or a bad control box.
2. Low Water Pressure
Pressure that's slowly gotten worse over weeks or months is different from a sudden drop. A gradual decline often means your pump is losing efficiency — worn impellers, a partially clogged screen, or a pressure tank that's waterlogged. If the pressure drops suddenly, you may have a broken pipe or a pump that's struggling to keep up. Either way, low pressure is your pump asking for help.
3. Sputtering or Air in the Lines
When you turn on a faucet and the water spits and sputters, air is getting into the system. This can happen when the water level in your well drops below the pump's intake, or when there's a crack in the drop pipe. In coastal areas like Pacifica, seasonal water table changes can contribute. If it persists, have a technician check the well's recovery rate and the integrity of your piping.
4. Rapid Pressure Switch Cycling
If you hear your pressure switch clicking on and off rapidly — sometimes called "short-cycling" — that's one of the most damaging things that can happen to a pump. It's almost always a sign of a waterlogged pressure tank. When the tank loses its air charge, the pump has to start and stop every few seconds instead of running in long, efficient cycles. Left unchecked, short-cycling will burn out a pump motor prematurely.
Short-cycling is an emergency for your pump.
Every rapid start draws a surge of current and generates heat. A pump that short-cycles for days can fail when a simple tank recharge would have fixed it.
5. Unusual Noises
Grinding, rattling, humming, or clicking sounds from the wellhead or pressure tank are not normal. Grinding often points to worn bearings in the motor. A loud humming can mean the pump is running but not moving water — possibly a stuck check valve or a blocked intake. Clicking from the pressure switch usually ties back to short-cycling. Don't ignore new sounds; they're early warnings.
6. Higher Electric Bills
A well pump is one of the largest electricity consumers in a home on a well. When a pump is failing — running constantly, short-cycling, or working harder to deliver less — your electric bill climbs. If you notice an unexplained increase and your usage hasn't changed, your pump could be the culprit. A technician can test the pump's current draw to see if it's running within spec.
7. Dirty or Sandy Water
Sand, silt, or sediment in your water can mean the well screen is deteriorating or the pump has dropped closer to the bottom of the well. Sediment is hard on pumps — it acts as an abrasive and accelerates wear on the impellers. If you're seeing grit in your water, get the well inspected before the sediment damages the pump beyond repair.
What to Do If You Spot These Signs
Don't wait for a complete failure. A pump that's caught early can often be repaired — a pressure tank recharge, a switch replacement, or a screen cleaning. A pump that's left until it dies completely usually means a full replacement, and often a weekend emergency call with no water in the meantime.
If you're seeing any of these signs, call a licensed pump specialist. We'll diagnose the actual problem, explain it in plain language, and give you an honest assessment of whether a repair or replacement makes sense. No upselling, no surprises. If the issue turns out to be your pressure tank rather than the pump itself, we'll tell you that too — and save you the cost of an unnecessary pump replacement.