Well Pump Replacement — La Plata, MD
A La Plata homeowner lost water completely on a Sunday morning. Electrical check ruled out the breaker and pressure switch. We pulled the pump and confirmed motor failure — a 14-year-old Franklin submersible that had reached end of life. New pump installed and water restored same day.
The Problem
A La Plata homeowner called us on a Sunday morning with no water. They had checked the breaker (not tripped) and the pressure switch (contacts closing normally). The pump was not running. The well was 14 years old and had the original pump.
Our Diagnosis
We performed a voltage test at the pump wire terminals in the pressure tank — voltage was present, confirming the electrical supply was good. The pump was not running despite receiving power, indicating motor failure. We pulled the pump from the well (180-foot depth) and confirmed the motor had seized — a common failure mode for pumps at 12–15 years of age, particularly in wells with high iron content.
The Repair Process
- 1Electrical diagnosis confirmed power to pump — motor failure identified
- 2Pulled 180-foot submersible pump and confirmed seized motor
- 3Measured well yield during pull — confirmed adequate recovery rate
- 4Installed new Franklin 1 HP submersible pump with stainless steel housing
- 5New drop pipe and safety rope installed
- 6New pitless adapter installed (original was corroded)
- 7Pressure tested system — confirmed 40/60 PSI cut-in/cut-out
- 8Water quality tested — iron 1.8 ppm, recommended iron filter
The Outcome
New pump installed and water restored same day. Water quality test revealed iron at 1.8 ppm — above the 0.3 ppm aesthetic standard. Iron filter recommended and installed the following week to protect the new pump from iron fouling.
Key Takeaway
A well pump that stops running despite receiving power has almost certainly failed. At 14 years, this pump had reached the end of its expected service life. Installing a new pump without addressing the 1.8 ppm iron level would have shortened the new pump's life — which is why we always test water quality during pump replacement.
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