Well pump repair for Tyler and Smith County homes

How it works

1. Call or send a request

   Tell us your town and what your well is doing.

2. We connect you

   Your call goes to an independent pump installer or well company that serves your area.

3. They call you back

   They diagnose the problem and quote the repair directly.

Who is this for?

Homeowners and landowners on private wells around Tyler, Whitehouse, Lindale, Bullard, Flint and the rest of Smith County. Plenty of homes just outside city water lines, and almost every rural property in the county, depend on a well and a pump for every drop of water. When that pump quits, the house is out of water until someone fixes it, so speed matters.

What should I do if I have no water?

1. Check the breaker. Look for a tripped breaker labeled pump or well, and reset it once. If it trips again, leave it off.
2. Look at the pressure gauge near the pressure tank. If it reads near zero, the pump isn't delivering water.
3. Don't keep resetting it. A pump that keeps tripping the breaker or runs without moving water can burn itself out.
4. Call. A pump company can test the pump, wiring, switch and tank and tell you what failed.

How does a well system work?

Most Smith County homes on a well have a submersible pump hanging down inside the well casing, below the water level. When you open a tap, pressure drops, a pressure switch turns the pump on, and the pump pushes water up into a pressure tank and the house. When pressure climbs back up, the switch turns the pump off. Many systems run from about 30 psi on to 50 psi off. Older and shallower wells sometimes use an above-ground jet pump instead. A failure anywhere in that chain, from the pump to the wiring, switch, check valve or tank, can leave you with no water or bad pressure.

What are the common signs of a failing pump or tank?

• No water, or water that sputters and spits air
• Pressure that drops off while showering or running the hose
• The pump clicking on and off every few seconds (short cycling)
• The pump running nonstop
• A breaker that keeps tripping
• A higher electric bill with no other explanation
• Water that suddenly turns rusty, cloudy or smells different

What's East Texas well water like?

Private wells in Smith County draw from the Carrizo-Wilcox, Queen City and Sparta aquifers. State studies of the Tyler area have long identified iron as the main water quality problem, and Queen City water in particular tends to be acidic and high in iron. That's why orange staining, rusty water and corroded fittings are common complaints here. Acidic water can also wear on pumps, pipes and tanks over time. Our Smith County water well guide covers the aquifers, licensing and setback rules, with sources.

Is it the pump, the tank or the switch?

The symptom usually points to the part. A pump that clicks on and off every few seconds while water runs usually means the pressure tank has lost its air charge. A pump that won't start even though the breaker is on often points to the pressure switch or control box. A pump that runs nonstop can mean a stuck check valve, a broken line or a well that's drawn down. No water with a tripping breaker usually means trouble at the pump, motor or wire down in the well. A technician confirms it with pressure and electrical tests before pulling anything out of the well.

How can I make my pump last longer?

• Keep the pressure tank charged. A waterlogged tank makes the pump start far more often than it should.
• Fix leaks and running toilets. Every drip means more pump starts.
• Protect the well house from freezing, flooding, insects and rodents.
• Treat problem water. Iron and sediment clog switches, filters and pipes.
• Test your water yearly and keep your well log and repair records together.

What affects the cost of a well pump repair?

• What failed. A pressure switch or capacitor is a small part. A submersible pump or motor is a bigger job.
• Well depth. Deeper wells mean more pipe and wire to pull and a larger pump.
• Pump type and size. Submersible versus jet, and horsepower.
• Pulling the pump. Submersible pumps have to be lifted out of the well, often with a pump rig.
• Other parts. Pressure tank, wire, drop pipe or check valves replaced at the same time.
• After-hours calls. Nights, weekends and holidays usually cost more.

We don't quote prices ourselves. The company you're connected with diagnoses the problem and gives you an estimate.

What should I ask a well pump company before hiring?

• What's your TDLR pump installer license number? (Check it on TDLR's license search.)
• What do you think failed, and how did you test it?
• Is it worth repairing, or should the pump or tank be replaced?
• What warranty comes with the pump and the labor?
• Will you check the pressure tank and switch while you're here?

Areas we cover

• Tyler
• Whitehouse
• Lindale
• Bullard
• Flint

Planning ahead? Read our Smith County water well guide.