Well Water Pump Making Loud Noise Continuously

Most well water pumps are not silent, but something might be amiss when they make loud banging noises. So, why is my well water pump making a loud banging noise?

Why Well Water Pumps Produce Loud Banging Noises?

Your well water pump makes loud banging or hammering noises because of hydrostatic shock.

Hydrostatic shock happens when the valves close very fast, trapping air in the system. The trapped air causes a pressure difference that leads to a shock wave, rattling your pipes.

Unusual loud noises from your well pump signify something wrong with the water lines or the pump itself. It is essential to know the various sounds that your well pump makes and what causes them.

Here are more reasons why well pumps produce loud sounds and how you can fix them.

Clogged System

Sediments and rust can wear out the circulating pump and block the impeller, causing extreme noises. When the system is blocked, this leads to increased water pressure.

The water pressure will result in short-cycling and eventually excessive loud sound.

Solution: Clean the system. Ensure you remove all debris clogging your water pump. Use a cloth to wipe the pump's intake, then clean the well by pouring a gallon of diluted bleach down the well.

Use a submersible pump to drain the well and flush out the entire system. You can use dirt separators and filtration units to prevent the system from clogging.

Excessive Bearings' Wear

If your well pump has excessive bearing wear either inside the motor or on the assembly, the pump will make a loud screaming noise. It's good to note that not all well pumps have bearing assemblies. But all-electric pump motors have bearings.

Solution: The screaming sound implies a failed bearing. To prevent more damage to other components, you need to replace the noisy bearings instantly.

Besides, inspecting your system and preventive maintenance can protect your pump's bearings from wearing out quickly.

You can purchase bearing assemblies for your well pump. They are inexpensive and easy to change.

But if you don't know how to replace the bearing assemblies, hiring an expert for replacement work is advisable.

The unfortunate thing is that motor bearings are not sold separately. You will be forced to buy the entire motor.

Trapped Air

If your well pump doesn't have an air separator, you will have to deal with trapped air in the system. The air gets into the system via a leaky suction line or free-falling discharge.

The air in the system makes the well pump produce loud noise due to extreme vibration. Your pump's performance decreases as the volume of air increases.

Solution: Gently open the valve until you hear a hissing noise. After the hissing sound stops, a water dribble will emerge, indicating the pump has no air.

Close the valve and ensure the pump is installed correctly since a slight misalignment can allow air to get in.

Incorrect Speed Setting

Traditional pumps have one or two flow settings, but modern pumps have three-speed settings. Older pumps are noisier than other pumps.

If you don't set the correct speed, the well pump will make a loud noise.

Solution: Find the flow switch and turn it down one level. Ensure you look at the tower rails and radiator to see if they operate at the required temperature.

If you run a pump with a VFD (variable frequency drive) and the pump is still making the humming sound, have a look to ensure you have the correct motor's grounding to the VFD. Incorrect grounding lets the system be a noise transmitter.

Incorrect Pump Size

Your system can be noisy due to undersized or oversized pumps. Oversized pumps result from an error during the designing and planning stage when engineers guesstimate the fittings and piping length.

This leads to excessive vibration and noise, loosening the joints and connections and creating piping fatigue.

Solution: A professional will help you check if your well water pump has the correct size. If not, the technician can install soundproof insulators in your pump.

You can also opt to install the correct pump size for your well.

Damaged Impeller

If debris enters into the pump housing, they damage the impeller. This causes your pump to produce a loud noise when running.

Solution:

Instantly turn off your water pump and flush it
Clean the debris from the housing
Install a filter on the pump to avoid future noise due to debris damaging the impeller

Other Sounds That Your Well Water Pump Can Make

Other than banging sound, your well water pump can make the following sounds:

Clicking

Clicking is normal when you turn the pump on and off. The pressure controls make the clicks.

However, when the humming accompanies the clicks, there is a risk of control burn-up or stuck relay. Frequent clicking noises indicate that your water pump is short cycling due to a waterlogged pressure tank.

Grinding

Grinding noise occurs when two objects collide with one another. Your well pump can make a grinding sound due to a broken impeller or debris in the impeller assembly.

Rattling

The rattling sound is usually shaky and rapid, and it tells you that the impeller is damaged. It varies from grinding to loud rattling based on whether it results from faulty assembly or debris.

Clunking

Clunking sound occurs around the control switches, piping, or water tank. The clucks happen at the beginning of the well pump "on" cycle.

This is due to a failing check valve, pump relay switch, or loose piping that rattles or moves when there is rapid water pressure, causing the piping or water tank to shift.

Screaming or Screeching

Screeching noises from well water pumps come from damaged pump bearings. This issue causes the metal to vibrate, making a sharp, loud, dreadful noise.

Humming

The well pump makes a humming sound if it runs dry due to insufficient water flow. A leak in your pump's foot valve makes the pump lose water and pressure, causing the humming sound.

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Source: https://waterdefense.org/water/well/why-is-my-well-water-pump-making-loud-banging-noise/