How often should you inspect your well pressure tank and pump?

Skipping it eventually leads to water damage or an expensive repair.

Staying on schedule matters beyond the repair bill: a consistent maintenance record is one of the factors in a home's Roots Home Health Score, and well-kept homes typically sell faster and closer to asking price.

How to do it

The pressure tank stores water and smooths the pump's cycling. A waterlogged tank makes the pump switch on and off rapidly, which quickly wears out the pump, the most expensive part of the system.

1. Listen and watch: rapid pump cycling (on-off every few seconds when you run a tap) points to a waterlogged tank.
2. Check the tank's air charge against the cut-in pressure with the system depressurized, per the tank's spec.
3. Look and feel around the pump, pressure switch, and fittings for leaks or corrosion.
4. Note the pressure switch cut-in and cut-out readings and that they hold steady.

Alternatives & optional extras

• Setting the tank's air pre-charge correctly is the fix for most rapid-cycling; a pro can dial it in.
• A pressure gauge that swings wildly usually means a bad tank bladder, not the pump.

Time: 20 minutes · Typical cost: Free to inspect

If you skip it

A waterlogged tank makes the pump short-cycle, and constant cycling burns out the pump, the priciest component to replace.

Other well water system maintenance

• Test well water quality — once a year

Related systems to keep on schedule

• Sump pump — start with: test sump pump operation, every 3 months
• Water softener — start with: check and refill water softener salt, once a month
• Water filtration system — start with: replace water filtration cartridges, every 6 months
• Septic system — start with: pump septic tank, every 3 years