Well Pump Questions, Answered

This site is an independent advertising and referral service. When you call or submit a request, it's routed to a participating local well pump contractor who serves the Pahrump area. That contractor provides the quote and performs any work. We are not a contractor ourselves.

Yes. Calling or submitting a request costs nothing and there's no obligation. Pricing for any work comes directly from the contractor.

Rapid on/off cycling (short-cycling) is most often caused by a waterlogged or failed pressure tank, an incorrect tank air charge, or a pressure switch problem. A leak can also cause it. Short-cycling wears pumps out quickly, so it's worth having checked soon. See our pressure tanks & switches page.

Common signs include no water or intermittent water, lower pressure than usual, a pump that runs constantly, a breaker that trips, sputtering or air in the lines, sediment or cloudy water, and an unexplained rise in your electric bill.

You can safely check and reset a tripped breaker once. If it trips again, leave it off and call a pro. Some pumps have a reset button on a control box or a low-pressure cutoff lever on the pressure switch, but those involve live electrical equipment, so we recommend letting a licensed contractor handle them.

We don't publish prices because every system is different. Cost depends on what failed, whether the pump must be pulled, well depth, pump size and type, the condition of wire, pipe and tank, and timing such as emergency or after-hours service. A contractor will quote you before starting work.

The Nevada State Contractors Board licenses contractors who drill wells and install pumps, pressure tanks and storage tanks under classification C-23. Drilling a water well also requires a well driller license from the State Engineer (Nevada Division of Water Resources). You can look up a contractor's license on the Contractors Board website.

Participating contractors are expected to hold the licenses and insurance required in Nevada for well and pump work. We still recommend asking for the license number and proof of insurance and verifying the license yourself before work begins.

New domestic wells in the Pahrump Valley basin have special requirements. Nevada State Engineer Order 1293 (2017) generally requires relinquishing water rights before a new domestic well is drilled. Contact the Nevada Division of Water Resources for current rules before planning a new well.

Many professionals suggest periodic checkups and regular water testing for private wells. It's also smart to have the pressure tank's air charge checked if you notice pressure swings. Ask a local contractor what schedule makes sense for your system.

Mineral-heavy water, common in desert groundwater, can leave scale in pressure switch ports, valves, fixtures and water heaters. Over time that can affect pressure and switch operation. Water treatment and routine maintenance can help. A pro can advise based on your water.

Helpful details: your address or area, whether you have any water at all, the pressure gauge reading, whether a breaker tripped, any noises (clicking, humming), when it started, and the approximate age of the pump and tank if you know it.