Symptoms
Well pump short cycling
Short cycling is when the pump turns on and off in quick bursts while water runs. It is one of the most common well complaints, and it usually starts at the pressure tank.
This is a referral line. When you call, you are connected with an independent local well pump company.
What it looks and sounds like
The switch clicks every few seconds. The gauge needle jumps up and down. Shower pressure pulses. Some owners notice the lights flicker each time the pump starts.
The usual causes
A pressure tank that has lost its air charge, a failed bladder inside the tank, a pressure switch problem, or a clogged tube under the switch. Less often, a leak or a check valve problem lets pressure bleed off and restart the pump.
Why it matters here
Every start puts wear on the pump motor. With median well depths of 345 ft in Chino Valley and over 500 ft in parts of Prescott Valley,[source] the pump is the hardest part of the system to reach. Fixing a tank is usually far less work than pulling a pump.
What you can check
Look for water around the tank. Note whether the cycling happens with every tap or only with one. Leave tank air adjustments and switch settings to the pump company.
When to call
Short cycling rarely stops on its own. The longer it goes on, the more starts the pump takes. If your gauge swings, the switch chatters, or the pump starts every time you rinse a cup, call and describe what you see. If the company finds a tank problem, ask whether the switch and the tank tee should be checked at the same time.
Questions
Is short cycling an emergency?
Not usually, but it shortens pump life. Call soon rather than later.
Does a bigger tank fix it?
Sometimes the tank is the problem, sometimes the switch. The company will check before replacing anything.
Would constant pressure help?
It is one option. See our comparison of constant pressure and a standard tank.
Related help
Want to talk it through?
Call and get connected with a local well pump company.
Call about your well(928) 655-8940