A Well Pump That Keeps Starting and Stopping in Spokane County

Washington State Department of Health publication 331-342 lists a pump motor that cycles on and off rapidly among pressure-tank problems and says "Frequent starts and stops can damage facilities." That publication is written for water systems, so ask a professional about your own equipment.

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What pump cycling means

Cycling is a pump turning on and off repeatedly in a short time. On a household well it is often noticed as a click from the pressure switch or a pump that seems never to rest.

The Department of Health publication groups the symptom with pressure-tank problems, which is a clue about where a professional may start looking. It is a general document for water systems, though, and it does not diagnose a household well.

When people look into this problem

The pump starts and stops again and again.
A clicking sound comes from the pressure switch or tank area.
Lights flicker or dim when the pump starts.
Pressure at taps rises and falls repeatedly.
The pump runs for only a few seconds at a time.
The pattern began after work on the tank or pump.

What an assessment usually looks like

Describe the pattern. How often the pump starts and how long it runs.
Look at the tank and controls. The pressure tank, pressure switch and wiring are reviewed.
Consider the causes. The Department of Health publication lists cycling among pressure-tank problems.
Decide what to test. A professional picks what to check first.
Agree on the work. Scope and price go in writing.
Check the result. The pattern is watched afterward.

How to prepare

Notes that help anyone looking at a system:

Note how often the pump starts and how long it runs.
Note any clicking from the pressure switch or tank.
Note when the pattern began and what changed.
Note any recent work on the tank, switch or pump.
Gather paperwork on the pump, tank and controls.
Do not open pressure tanks or electrical controls yourself.
Get any price in writing, with what it includes.

What affects the cost

Prices vary widely with the well, the pump and the work. For cycling, the cost follows the cause.

The cause. Tank, switch, wiring and pump problems lead to different work.
Equipment. The part involved changes the price.
Access. How easily the tank and controls can be reached.
Time on site. Finding the cause takes time.
Parts. Replacement parts add cost.
Written scope. Whether the price covers assessment only or repair too.

Why cycling is worth a look

The Department of Health publication says frequent starts and stops can damage facilities. It is written for water systems rather than households, so treat it as general background. It does explain why people ask about cycling instead of ignoring it. Describing the pattern in numbers, such as starts per hour, gives a professional something specific to start from.

Putting the pattern in numbers

Count how many times the pump starts in an hour and note how long each run lasts. A pump that starts several times a minute describes a different situation from one that starts a few times an hour. These numbers cost nothing to collect and give a professional something specific to work from, which makes any written scope more precise and any price easier to compare.

Sources and registration

Registration. Check a company's registration on the Washington Department of Labor & Industries “Verify a Contractor, Tradesperson or Business” page. Pump work can involve other trades: contractors are registered with the Department of Labor & Industries, electrical work generally requires an electrical contractor license, and plumbing work generally requires certified plumbers, with some exceptions.

Safety. Work on pump wiring, pressure tanks and wells can involve electricity, stored pressure and, in some cases, contaminated water, so it belongs with a qualified professional.

Reasons to trust this page

Most statements on this page name their public source, such as the Department of Health or the Department of Ecology.
Cost factors are explained in plain terms, and this site does not quote prices.
The email address is shown at the top of every page, and the Privacy page says what a quote request collects.

Common questions

What does pump cycling mean?

Cycling is a pump turning on and off repeatedly in a short time. Washington State Department of Health publication 331-342 lists a pump motor that cycles on and off rapidly among pressure-tank problems. It is written for water systems, so ask a qualified professional about your own equipment.

Can frequent starts and stops cause damage?

The Department of Health publication says "Frequent starts and stops can damage facilities." It is written for water systems, not households, so treat it as general background. It does explain why a pump that keeps cycling is worth having a qualified professional look at.

Is cycling a pressure tank problem?

The Department of Health publication lists a pump motor that cycles on and off rapidly among pressure-tank problems. That is a general statement for water systems. A qualified professional can tell you what applies to your own tank, switch and pump after looking at them.

Who should look at a cycling pump?

A qualified, registered well or pump professional should assess your system, since pump work can involve electricity and stored pressure. Check the company on the Washington Department of Labor & Industries “Verify a Contractor” page, and get any price in writing with what it includes.

What should I note about the cycling?

Note how often the pump starts, how long it runs, any clicking from the pressure switch or tank, when the pattern began and what changed. Gather paperwork on the pump, tank and controls, and do not open tanks or electrical controls yourself. These notes help a professional assess your system.

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