Do you hear a constant humming? Has your water pump been running more than usual? A well pump that never seems to take a break means your water system is trying to tell you something.
A continuously running pump can point to hidden leaks, mechanical issues, or shifts in your well’s performance. Catching those problems early can protect your home’s water supply and prevent expensive repairs.
Read on to discover the consequences of a constantly running pump, the typical issues behind it, and the professional diagnostic steps taken before scheduling water well pump service.
1. A Constantly Running Pump
A well pump that never shuts off usually points to something in the system demanding water when it should be resting.
In a typical setup, the pump activates when pressure drops to the cut-in setting, then stops once pressure reaches the cut-out level. A healthy pressure tank holds enough water and air to give the pump breaks between cycles.
When that break never comes, something is interfering with the pump’s ability to build and hold pressure. The issue can stem from leaks, failing components, or changes in well performance. Each problem affects the entire water cycle in a different way.
2. Hidden Leaks That Pull Your Pump Into Overdrive
Homes often experience minor plumbing issues that create a steady draw on the system. A running toilet or a dripping fixture may not look severe, yet EPA data shows a single toilet leak can waste hundreds of gallons per day.
That water loss disappears because the pump is supplying every drop. Dripping hose bibs, outdoor hydrants left slightly open, or a stuck water softener valve can push the pump into near-constant operation.
Indoor leaks are common, but buried line breaks can be even harder to identify. A cracked water well pump service line between the well and the pressure tank allows water to seep into the soil, keeping the pump active as it tries to maintain pressure.
Soggy patches of ground outside, unusually green strips of grass in dry weather, or standing water near an unused hydrant can be early signs of a below-grade leak.
To illustrate the scale of these losses, here is a quick comparison of typical leak sizes:
| Leak Source | Estimated Water Loss | Impact on Pump Operation |
| Running toilet | Up to 200 gallons per day | Continuous refill demands keep pump active |
| Dripping faucet | Up to 10 gallons per day | Frequent pressure drops trigger more cycles |
| Buried line break | 15 gallons per minute or more | Pump struggles to build pressure and rarely stops |
| Faulty softener valve | 100s of gallons per cycle | Pump works constantly to supply flow |
3. Mechanical Issues That Trigger Continuous Run Time
The mechanical parts within a private well system operate in coordination to keep water pressure steady throughout the home. When one part falters, the pump compensates by running longer or continuously.
When Water Drains Backward
Check valves keep pressurized water from draining into the well. A stuck or leaking valve allows water to flow backward every time the pump stops. The pressure switch reacts to that pressure loss by activating the pump again.
Homeowners may see the gauge drop even when no water is being used. In many cases, testing or replacing a faulty check valve restores normal cycling.
Pressure Tanks That Lose Air
When a pressure tank loses its air charge, the pump begins turning on and off rapidly, called short cycling. If the bladder inside a precharged tank ruptures, the tank can no longer store an adequate volume of water, forcing the pump to work harder to reach the cut-out pressure.
A tank charged too far above or below the recommended two psi below the cut-in setting has similar effects. Professionals consistently recommend having a professional check the tank’s precharge, internal components, and drawdown.
Broken Pressure Switches
The pressure switch acts like a small control center and determines when the pump turns on or off. Contacts can weld closed, springs can drift out of range, or sediment can clog the sensing port.
Any of these issues keeps the switch from signaling the pump at the right time. Because the switch houses live electrical components, professionals advise against homeowners opening it. A misbehaving switch is a common reason a pump runs constantly, even when demand is low.
4. Changing Well Conditions That Affect Pump Performance
Private wells across Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia draw from a wide range of aquifers, including fractured rock formations that can vary in yield throughout the year. A pump may run constantly because it struggles to reach the pressure needed for the switch to shut it off.
Falling water levels during dry periods can lower the water column enough that the pump loses submergence. Screened sections can clog with minerals or fine sediment in older wells, reducing flow to the pump.
In these situations, the pump never reaches cut-out pressure and continues running to compensate. Understanding the geology beneath each property helps technicians determine whether the issue stems from the well itself or from the mechanical equipment above it.
Tri-County Pump Service Takes Continuous Pump Operation Seriously
A pump that never gets to rest signals strain somewhere in the water cycle. Quick attention prevents bigger problems like worn-out motors, damaged treatment equipment, high electric bills, or septic overload. Our team understands how wells, plumbing, water quality, and septic performance all connect, so we address the true cause, not just the symptom happening today.
Tri-County Pump Service, Inc. has been a trusted, family-owned provider since 1991, serving Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia with technicians who know these systems inside and out. If your well pump is running around the clock, water pressure is changing, or something simply feels off, reach out before a minor issue becomes a costly repair.
You can call (301) 882-2698, schedule your service online, or send us a note using our easy online contact form. We are here to keep your water flowing strong, clean, and dependable.
