Well Pump Repair & Replacement

When the faucet sputters or nothing comes out, the problem is usually the pump, the pressure tank, the pressure switch or the electrical supply. Here's how to narrow it down and what repairs typically cost.

Common symptoms

No water at all. Check the breaker and any fuse or control box first. If power is fine, the pump, wiring, switch or water level may be the problem.
Pump turns on and off rapidly (short cycling). Often a waterlogged pressure tank or a failed bladder, or a bad switch.
Low or fluctuating pressure. Clogged filters, a failing pump, a leak in the drop pipe, or a well that's producing less water than it used to.
Air spitting from faucets. The water level may be dropping to the pump intake, or there's a leak in the drop pipe.
Sandy or cloudy water. Pump set too low, a failing screen, or a well that needs rehabilitation.
High electric bill. A pump running constantly may mean a leak somewhere in the system.

Safe things to check yourself

Breaker or fuse for the well pump.
Pressure gauge reading at the tank.
Sediment filter: a clogged cartridge can choke flow.
Visible leaks at the tank, fittings and in the basement or crawlspace.

Leave anything involving opening the pressure switch, the control box, or pulling the pump to a professional. Well systems involve 240-volt power, and pulling a submersible pump hundreds of feet up takes a rig or pump hoist.

Typical costs

Angi's 2026 data puts well pump replacement at about $973 to $2,822, averaging around $1,900, and pressure tank replacement at roughly $300 to $700. Deep wells, larger pumps, constant-pressure (variable speed) systems and replacing wire and drop pipe at the same time push costs higher. Weekend and emergency calls usually cost more.

Repair or replace?

Submersible pumps commonly last many years, but age, sediment, short cycling and lightning strikes shorten that. If the pump is old and has to be pulled anyway, many owners replace it rather than repair. If the well itself is failing (dropping yield, damaged casing, bad water), ask about rehabilitation or a new well before spending on a new pump.

After any repair

Opening a well can introduce bacteria. Ask the contractor to disinfect the well after pump work, and test the water for coliform bacteria once the chlorine has flushed out. The EPA recommends testing private wells at least once a year for coliform bacteria, nitrates, total dissolved solids and pH.

Local notes

Most East Texas wells around Tyler draw from sands of the Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer, so wells usually need screens to keep sand out. Sand in the water after a pump change is worth reporting to the contractor.

Types of well pumps

Most modern drilled wells use a submersible pump that sits down in the well, pushing water up to a pressure tank. Older or shallow wells may use a jet pump above ground, which pulls water up and is limited to shallow depths unless paired with a deep-well jet. Constant-pressure systems use a variable-speed drive that adjusts pump speed to demand, giving steadier pressure and a smaller pressure tank, at a higher upfront cost. Your contractor will recommend a pump sized to your well's depth, yield and household demand.

Pressure tanks

The pressure tank stores water under pressure so the pump doesn't start every time you open a faucet. Most modern tanks have an internal bladder or diaphragm with an air charge. When the bladder fails, the tank becomes waterlogged and the pump short-cycles, which shortens its life. Checking the tank's air pre-charge with the system drained is a simple maintenance item for a contractor during any service call.

Lightning and power issues

Lightning strikes and power surges are a common cause of pump and control failures. Ask about a surge arrester at the pressure switch or control box, and a proper ground. If you have a generator, make sure it's sized for the pump's starting load and connected through a transfer switch installed by an electrician.

Emergency planning

Keep a few days of drinking water stored, know where your breaker and shutoffs are, and keep your contractor's contact information and well records handy. When you call, the contractor will want to know the well depth, pump age and the symptoms.

What a service call looks like

A pump technician usually starts at the top: checking power at the switch and control box, reading amperage on the pump circuit, testing the pressure switch, and checking the tank pre-charge. Amp readings and insulation resistance tests on the wire can show whether the pump motor or the cable down the well has failed without pulling anything out. If the pump does have to come out, a hoist or pump truck lifts the drop pipe and pump, and the technician inspects the wire splice, check valves and pipe. Replacing old galvanized or worn drop pipe and wire while the pump is out often makes sense.

Before you call a contractor: a checklist

Address or parcel and whether public water is available.
What the water is for. House, irrigation, livestock or all of them.
Existing well details if you have one: depth, age, pump age and any records.
Symptoms for repairs: no water, low pressure, short cycling, air, sediment, taste or smell.
Septic location, so the new well can meet separation distances.
Access for a drill rig (they're large trucks) and the distance to the house.
Neighbors' well depths if you know them.
Timeline, including any closing or construction deadline.

The more a contractor knows up front, the more accurate the first estimate.

Serving Tyler and nearby

We take requests from property owners across Tyler, Smith County and East Texas, including Tyler, Whitehouse, Lindale, Bullard, Flint, Chandler, Troup, Arp, Winona, Noonday, Jacksonville, Van. Coverage depends on contractor availability; tell us your town or ZIP. Before any digging, your contractor contacts Texas811 (811) to get buried utilities marked.

Common questions

Why does my pump keep clicking on and off?

Short cycling is often a waterlogged pressure tank or failed bladder. It wears out the pump, so get it fixed soon.

How long does a well pump last?

Many last a decade or more. Sediment, short cycling and power surges shorten pump life.

Can a contractor come the same day?

Many offer emergency service for no-water calls, though weekends and evenings usually cost more.

Should I replace the pressure tank with the pump?

Not always. If the tank is waterlogged or old, replacing both while the system is open can make sense.

What is a constant-pressure system?

A variable-speed pump controller that keeps pressure steady by adjusting pump speed to demand.

Well Pump Repair & Replacement near Tyler