Pump Not Working? 5 Things to Check Before Bringing It In for Repairs

Pump Not Working? 5 Things to Check Before Bringing It In for Repairs

There's nothing more frustrating than turning on your tap or irrigation system only to discover there's no water.

Before assuming your pump has failed, there are a few simple checks that could save you both time and money. Many common pump issues are caused by power interruptions, empty tanks or minor leaks rather than a major mechanical fault.

At Pump Service Industries, we recommend working through a quick checklist before bringing your pump into our workshop. Our checklist asks you to confirm whether there is power at the outlet, whether the tank has run dry, whether the pump is making any noise, whether an accumulator tank or electronic controller is fitted, and whether there are any leaks in the suction or discharge pipework.

1. Is There Power at the Outlet?

This may sound obvious, but power supply issues are one of the most common causes of pump failures.

Try plugging another appliance such as:

  • Hair dryer 
  • Lamp
  • Battery charger 

into the same outlet.

If the appliance doesn't work either, the issue could simply be the power supply rather than the pump itself.

2. Has Your Water Tank Run Dry?

If your rainwater tank or storage tank is empty, the pump won't be able to build pressure.

Running a pump without water can also cause unnecessary wear, so always check your water level before restarting the system.

3. Is the Pump Making Any Noise?

A pump that is humming, clicking or attempting to start tells us something very different to a pump that's completely silent.

Different sounds often indicate different issues, including:

  • Faulty capacitor 
  • Air lock 
  • Blocked impeller 
  • Electrical fault 

  • Dry running

4. Does Your Pump Have an Electronic Controller?

Many modern pressure systems include:

  • Pressure controllers 
  • Electronic controllers 
  • Pressure tanks
  • Accumulator tanks 

Sometimes these components fail rather than the pump itself.

5. Check for Leaks

Even a small air leak on the suction side can prevent your pump from priming correctly.

Inspect:

  • Pipe joints 
  • Fitting
  • Valves 
  • Flexible hoses 

  • Pump seals

Still Having Problems?

If you've worked through these checks and still have no water, it's time to let the experts take a look.

Our experienced technicians diagnose and repair pumps for residential, rural and industrial applications, helping you get your water system back up and running quickly.

Need pump repairs? Contact Pump Service Industries today.

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