NH Well Pump HelpWell pump repair in southern NH
Not every well problem means a new pump. A pressure switch, control box, tank or wiring fault can look a lot like a dead pump. Here’s what the common symptoms usually point to, what a service visit involves, and who is allowed to do the work.
Common symptoms and what they often mean
| What you notice | Often points to |
|---|---|
| No water, pump silent, gauge at 0 | Tripped breaker, failed pressure switch, control box (3-wire pumps), wiring, or the pump motor |
| Breaker trips again after one reset | An electrical fault in the pump, wire or control box. Stop resetting it. |
| Pump clicks on and off every few seconds | Waterlogged pressure tank or a switch problem (pressure tanks) |
| Pump runs constantly, little or no water | Low water level in the well, a leak or broken drop pipe, or a worn pump |
| Sputtering faucets or air in the lines | Water level dropping to the pump, or a leak in the drop pipe |
| Electric bill creeping up | A pump that runs too long or short-cycles |
General guidance only. A licensed pro has to test the system to know for sure.
What a repair visit usually involves
A pump pro typically checks power at the switch and control box, tests the pressure switch and tank air charge, and measures the pump motor’s electrical readings from the surface before deciding whether the pump has to come out of the well. If it does, that becomes a replacement job. On deep wells that usually means a truck-mounted hoist (The Well Guide).
Help the pro help you
NHDES suggests keeping notes for the contractor: when the symptoms happen and how often, what you see, where (for example, the kitchen faucet), and any change in color, odor or sediment (NHDES). Your well completion report, if your well was drilled after 1984, may list depth and yield. You can search for it on NHDES OneStop.
Who can do the work
Under NH law, maintenance and repair of wells and pumps must be done by a licensed water well contractor, pump installer, plumber or electrician (RSA 482-B:15). Installing or replacing a pump requires a pump installer license (NHDES). Check any license on the NHDES lookup.