Well Pump Repair: What Spokane County Owners Should Know and Ask

Well pump repair starts with working out which part of the system is the problem: the pump, the pressure tank and switch, the wiring, the well itself or the water. In Spokane County, a qualified professional should do the work, and the pages here explain what to ask first.

Email us about your well: contact@spokanecountywellpump.com

What well pump repair covers

A private well system has several parts that work together. The pump moves water out of the well. The pressure tank stores water under pressure so the pump does not start every time a tap opens. The pressure switch tells the pump when to start and stop. Wiring brings power to all of it, and the well casing, cap and seal protect the water.

When the system misbehaves, the cause can sit in any of those parts. King County Public Health lists possible reasons a well produces little or no water: seasonal changes in water level, neighboring wells, clogged well screens, changes in geology, broken pumps and water storage tanks, and leaks in the water system. It recommends contacting a water professional such as a well driller, pump installer or water system engineer.

Repair can mean fixing a part, replacing the pump or doing neither because the problem is somewhere else. That is why the first question is a diagnosis, and why this site has a separate page for each part and each kind of work, linked at the bottom.

When people look into this

A faucet runs dry or pressure drops.
The pump starts and stops often.
Water pressure rises and falls at the tap.
There is air or sputtering in the lines.
Water looks, smells or tastes different.
A pump or tank is old and a landowner wants to plan ahead.
A home on a well is changing hands.

What the work usually looks like

Describe the symptoms. Note what the system does, when it began and what changed before.
Have a professional look. A qualified well professional checks the pump, tank, switch, wiring and well.
Test the system. Flow, pressure, power and the pump's load are checked as the professional sees fit.
Agree on the scope. What is repaired or replaced, and by which trades, goes in writing.
Do the work. Each part is handled by the trade named in the scope.
Test the water and the result. Water is tested after any part is replaced, and pressure is watched afterward.

How to prepare

Before work starts, it helps to settle these points:

Write down the symptoms, when they started and what changed just before.
Note when the pump, tank and switch were last replaced.
Gather paperwork on the well, such as a well report or earlier invoices.
Do not open pressure tanks or electrical controls yourself.
Ask which trades the job involves, such as electrical or plumbing.
Check each company's registration on the L&I page.
Ask about water testing after the work.
Get the price in writing, with what it includes.

What affects the cost

Prices vary widely with the well, the pump and the work. Repair costs depend on which part is the problem and how the pump is reached.

Which part is the problem. A switch, a tank, wiring and a pump differ widely in cost.
Type and depth of pump. A submersible pump is pulled from the well, which takes equipment and time.
Access. How easily the well, tank and controls can be reached.
Related parts. Tank, switch and wiring may need work at the same time.
Trades involved. Electrical and plumbing work can be separate trades.
Testing. Water testing afterward is a separate item.
Written scope. Whether the price covers diagnosis only or repair too.

Diagnosis first, parts second

The pump gets the blame for many problems that start elsewhere. A weak tank, a worn switch, a leak in the lines or a change in the well can all look like a failing pump from the kitchen. A company that replaces the pump without looking at the rest may leave the real problem in place.

Ask each company what it will check and in what order, and ask for the findings in writing. A written diagnosis is also what you can show another company if you want a second price. It keeps the discussion about the system instead of about a single part.

Local rules and sources

Cause and who to call. King County Public Health (Seattle area) says possible reasons a well produces little or no water include seasonal changes in water level, neighboring wells, clogged well screens, changes in geology, broken pumps and water storage tanks, and leaks in the water system. It recommends contacting a water professional like a well driller, pump installer, or water system engineer.

Ecology's rules. Under Ecology's well rules, replacing a pump is not counted as altering a well. WAC 173-162-030 says well alterations include deepening, hydrofracturing or other operations meant to increase well yields or change the well's characteristics, and do not include general maintenance, cleaning, sanitation and pump replacement.

Trades. 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. Check a company's registration on the Washington Department of Labor & Industries “Verify a Contractor, Tradesperson or Business” page.

Testing. The Washington Department of Health recommends testing private well water every year for coliform bacteria and nitrate, and also when you notice a change in taste, color or smell, after flooding, and after you replace any part of your well system. Your county health department can tell you how and where to have it tested.

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.

City water. If you pay a water bill to a city or a water district, you are probably not on a private well, and this site's well pages may not apply to you. Check your water bill.

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 well pump repair involve?

It starts with finding which part is the problem: the pump, pressure tank, pressure switch, wiring, the well or the water itself. King County Public Health lists causes such as water level changes, clogged screens, broken pumps and leaks. Repair then means fixing a part, replacing the pump or neither. A qualified professional should diagnose it.

Who should repair a well pump in Washington?

A qualified, registered professional. 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. Check each company on the L&I “Verify a Contractor” page and ask which trades the job involves.

Does repairing or replacing a pump count as altering a well?

Not under Ecology's rules. WAC 173-162-030 says well alterations include deepening, hydrofracturing or other operations meant to increase yield or change the well's characteristics, and do not include general maintenance, cleaning, sanitation and pump replacement. Other trades and rules can still apply, so ask which.

Should I test my water after pump work?

Yes, the Washington Department of Health recommends testing private well water every year for coliform bacteria and nitrate, and also after you replace any part of your well system. Your county health department can tell you how and where to have it tested. Keep the result with the paperwork for the job.

How much does well pump repair cost?

Prices vary widely with the well, the pump and the work. The cost depends on which part is the problem, the pump's type and depth, related parts and the trades involved. Get a written scope that lists what is included, so prices from different companies cover the same work.

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