Check Out The Following Links for Well & Septic Systems Diagnostics
Submersible Well Water Pumps
| Having a well water problem? Listed below are several common problems with water wells. They are listed for your convenience, though we always recommend calling Monticello Pump Services when you have a problem. Submersible Pump |
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| Problem | Probable Cause | Solution |
| Pump Motor Not Running | 1. Motor thermal protector tripped. | 1. Allow motor to cool, thermal protector will automatically reset. |
| a. Incorrect control box. b. Incorrect or faulty electrical connections. c. Faulty thermal protector. d. Low voltage. e. Ambient temperature of control box/starter too high. |
a-e. Have a qualified Monticello Pump Services technician inspect and repair, as required. | |
| f. Pump bound by foreign matter. | f. Pull pump, clean, adjust set depth as required. | |
| g. Inadequate submergance. | g. Confirm adequate unit submergence in pumpage. | |
| 2. Open circuit breaker or blown fuse. | 2. Have a qualified Monticello Pump Services technician inspect and repair as required. |
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| 3. Power source inadequate for load. | 3. Check supply or generator capacity. | |
| 4. Power cable insulation damage 5. Faulty power cable splice |
4–5. Have a qualified Monticello Pump Services technician inspect and repair as required. |
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Submersible Pump |
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| Problem | Probable Cause | Solution |
| Little or No Liquid Delivered by Pump | 1. Faulty or incorrectly installed check valve. | 1. Inspect check valve, repair as required. |
| 2. Pump air bound. | 2. Successively start and stop pump until flow is delivered. | |
| 3. Lift too high for pump. | 3. Review unit performance, check with dealer. | |
| 4. Pump bound by foreign matter. | 4. Pull pump, clean, adjust set depth as required. | |
| 5. Pump not fully submerged | 5. Check well recovery, lower pump if possible. | |
| 6. Well contains excessive amounts of air or gass. | 6. If successive starts and stops does not remedy, well contains excessive air or gases. | |
| 7. Excessive pump wear. | 7. Pull pump and repair as required. | |
| 8. Incorrect motor rotation – three phase only. | 8. Reverse any two motor electrical leads. | |
| Pressure switch won’t cut out. | The pressure switch is not set correctly. | Revise the settings: 20-lb cut-in, 40-lb cut-out; or 30/50 (depending on tank size). |
| The water level too low in well for rating of pump. | Pressure switch not set correctly. Check pump setting. | |
| The switch opening is clogged. | Clean out openings or, if necessary replace switch. | |
Jet Well Water Pumps
Jet Pump |
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| Problem | Probable Cause | Solution |
| Pump Motor Not Running | Pump starts too often, runs too long | You have a water-logged tank (loss of air pressure). Check tanks for leaks. Re-charge with air pressure to proper level. Check air volume control. |
| Check to see if the valve leaks. | Replace or repair. | |
| The pressure switch is out of adjustment. | Adjust to proper setting and check to assure setting remains. If not, replace pressure switch. | |
| There are leaks in the pipe. | Check above-ground piping for leaks. if none, pull pump and check all pipe connections and connection of pipe to pump. | |
| Any or all of the above All known causes are checked but system still won’t work properly. | Call Monticello Pump Services 1-800-462-1333 or703-241-1673 |
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Sewage Pumps - Both single and duplex
Septic Pump |
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| Problem | Common Causes | |
| A. Pump will not start or run | Check fuse, low voltage, overload open, open or incorrect wiring, open switch, impeller or seal bound mechanically, defective capacitor or relay when used, motor or wiring shorted. Float assembly held down. Switch defective, damaged, or out of adjustment. | |
| B. Motor overheats and trips overload or blows fuse | Incorrect voltage, negative head (discharge open lower than normal) impeller or seal bound mechanically, defective capacitor or relay, motor shorted. | |
| C. Pump starts and stops too often | Float tight on rod, check valve stuck or none installed in long distance line, overload open, level switch(s) defective, sump pit too small. | |
| D. Pump will not shut off | Debris under float assembly, float or float rod bound by pit sides or other, switch defective, damaged or out of adjustment. | |
| E. Pump operates but delivers little or no water | Check strainer housing, discharge pipe, or if check valve is used vent hole must be clear. Discharge head exceeds pump capacity. Low or incorrect voltage. Incorrect motor rotation. Capacitor defective. Incoming water containing air or causing air to enter pumping chamber. | |
| F. Drop in head and/or capacity after period of use. | Increased pipe friction, clogged line or check valve. Abrasive material and adverse chemicals could possibly deteriorate impeller and pump housing. Check line. Remove base and inspect. | |
Sump Pumps - With battery power back up system
1. Inspect and test the system for proper operations at least every 3 months.
- Red power on indicator light should be “on” indicating AC power is on
- Unplug primary pump and the control charger from power supply.
- Fill sump pump with water to the “on” level for the DC pump. Allow pump to run a few minutes.
- The alarm will sound approximately 5 seconds after the pump starts to run.
- Push alarm reset switch. The alarm will go “off””.
- Pump will shut off after water level is lowered and the float drops to the off position.
2. Plug the control charger and the primary pump into the wall outlet.
- The primary pump will come on and lower the water to the normal operating level and shut off.
- The “yellow” charging light should be on. The charger is replacing the energy consumed during the test. The “green” light will come on after the charger has replaced the energy consumed during the test.
3. Battery should be agitated gently every 3 months. Caution
Batter acid is dangerous. Take proper safety precautions. Do not splash the acid. Add distilled water to battery when necessary per battery manufacturer’s instructions.
TROUBLESHOOTING INFORMATION
1. Charging and charged LED’s alternate frequently
- This is normal
2. DC Pump won’t run
- Check 15 amp fuse in line from pump to switch . If fuse is blown, replace with 15 amp Littelfuse type 3AG, series 311.
- Check for proper connections.
- Check all wire terminal points. Clean if required.
- Check for low battery. Service battery if required.
3. Pumps runs but pumps very little or no water.
- Check for low battery. Battery will recharge if Red power “on” light indicates power has been restored and the float switch is in the off position.
- If immediate usage is required, remove and replace dead battery with a full recharged battery.
- Due to varying conditions the pump may continue to run on a low battery without sufficient power to remove water. Pump will not stop running until battery is completely discharged.
- *Caution* Weak batteries can be recharged but may not store sufficient energy for full service. A weak recharged battery can only be detected by reduced pumping time or by checking each cell with a hydormeter. If your emergency pump system is used frequently the battery should be checked by a qualified battery dealer.
4. Pump cycles too frequently
- Check positions of rubber stops on float rod.
- Adjust upper float stop as required. Recommended for standard installation
5. Float switch in “on” position. Pump won’t run.
- Remove pump. Check for obstruction in pump preventing impeller from rotating
6. Pump runs, but pumps water intermittently
- Pump is air locking. Check flow of water incoming to sump. If water is entering the sump at high velocity creating a turbulent condition, a mixture of air and water may cause a complete or partial air lock and reduce or stop the flow of water in the discharge pipe.
- Baffle the incoming stream of water to reduce turbulence. Diverting water stream against wall of basin usually corrects an air lock problem.
Septic/Effluent Pumps - Both single and duplex
Septic Pump |
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| Problem | Common Causes | |
| A. Pump will not start or run | Check fuse, low voltage, overload open, open or incorrect wiring, open switch, impeller or seal bound mechanically, defective capacitor or relay when used, motor or wiring shorted. Float assembly held down. Switch defective, damaged, or out of adjustment. | |
| B. Motor overheats and trips overload or blows fuse | Incorrect voltage, negative head (discharge open lower than normal) impeller or seal bound mechanically, defective capacitor or relay, motor shorted. | |
| C. Pump starts and stops too often | Float tight on rod, check valve stuck or none installed in long distance line, overload open, level switch(s) defective, sump pit too small. | |
| D. Pump will not shut off | Debris under float assembly, float or float rod bound by pit sides or other, switch defective, damaged or out of adjustment. | |
| E. Pump operates but delivers little or no water | Check strainer housing, discharge pipe, or if check valve is used vent hole must be clear. Discharge head exceeds pump capacity. Low or incorrect voltage. Incorrect motor rotation. Capacitor defective. Incoming water containing air or causing air to enter pumping chamber. | |
| F. Drop in head and/or capacity after period of use. | Increased pipe friction, clogged line or check valve. Abrasive material and adverse chemicals could possibly deteriorate impeller and pump housing. Check line. Remove base and inspect. | |
Monticello Pump Services
Other Helpful Information:
- Well Pump Repair
- Low Water Pressure Issues & Diagnosis
- Well Pump Retrieval including video (from falling loose inside the well)
- Well Water Facts
- Well Casing Repair
- Emergency Advice/Service
Helpful Brochures:
Need Your Well or Septic System Diagnosed?
What Our Customers are Saying
We are so grateful to Monticello for all of the services they’ve provided to us. …we have had to replace our well-pump… Jason did all of the repair work and he was a consummate professional. Monticello was also prompt in providing information to our home insurance company which facilitated a quick claim on our end.
Suddenly our water went totally dead–so we knew it was the pump or the control inside the house. Monticello installed it 7 years ago, so we called them. They were extremely helpful right from the start, showing me how to try various things to restore the water without a visit (and a charge)..”all of the services they’ve provided to us. …we have had to replace our well-pump… Jason did all of the repair work and he was a consummate professional. Monticello was also prompt in providing information to our home insurance company which facilitated a quick claim on our end.
Paul at Monticello is the perfect example of what is great customer service and what it means to be a truly good human being. Not only is Paul extremely knowledgeable about sump pumps but he is extremely patient and fair. I highly recommend this business and working with Paul if you ever have any sump pump related issues. I can’t thank you enough, Paul!!
Called Monticello at 4:20AM Super Bowl Sunday and the phone was answered by Paul the owner. Clearly I woke him from a dead sleep but he immediately worked with me over the phone to determine why I did not have water. He spent at least 45 minutes working me through diagnosing the problem which ended up being a loose fuse, the best we could determine. He refused to take any payment for his help which I would have gladly paid. He could have scheduled a service call which he felt was not necessary, he said he just wanted to get the water back on for my family. In todays world so few Company’s and people exist that would do something like this that it shocks you. Thank you Paul!!!!!
I had Monticello install a constant water pressure system into my house on a Saturday afternoon. It only took the crew five hours to install. I am so happy I went with the upgrade because now I can take a shower using my body massage shower, you can definitely feel a 100% improvement in the water pressure.
Wonderful gentleman. Troubleshooted and walked me through my well water problem. I highly recommend using them for all of your well issues. Excellent customer service. Very personal. Highly professional. Could have charged me for an emergency call out. He called me back 3 times to verify that all systems were up and running.
My house is on a well and Monticello installed a constant pressure system. Now when we take showers or use the hose outside, the water pressure is unbelievable.
I use Monticello for all my well water needs. They are very polite, professional and on time.
I woke up one morning with no water, someone over the phone at Monticello Pump Service walked me step by step in trying to get my water back for me and it worked. After I was done speaking to Monticello I had my water back on and was up and running again.