Before anything else: if you can hear the pump running but no water is coming out, switch it off at the breaker now. Running a pump dry destroys it, sometimes within minutes. Whatever is wrong, the pump running against nothing is making it worse and more expensive by the minute. Turn it off, then work through this.
Loading…
This is triage, not a diagnosis. It is built on the patterns we actually see on Lakes Region wells and it is genuinely useful for working out whether you have a $200 problem or a $14,000 one. It cannot see your system. Anything it flags as urgent should be looked at by someone who can.
What the Pressure Gauge Is Telling You
The gauge on your pressure tank is the single most useful thing in the basement. Note the reading before you call anyone — it narrows the diagnosis immediately.
| Reading | Pump behaviour | Most likely |
|---|---|---|
| Zero | Not running at all | Power, breaker, or pressure switch |
| Zero | Running continuously | Pump failed, or well is dry — switch it off |
| Low and steady | Not running | Pressure switch not calling for the pump |
| Normal at rest, drops fast in use | Starts and stops rapidly | Pressure tank has lost its charge (short-cycling) |
| Builds slowly, never reaches cut-off | Runs a long time | Leak, failing pump, or dropping yield |
| Normal | Normal, but pressure poor at taps | Filter, valve, or plumbing rather than the well |