[andyandtracy]

My private well started showing extra sediment, then the pressure started to reduce during showers, now the pump don't seem to be working. Where do I start?

[jlisenbe]

1. Check the breaker. Turn on if needed.
2. Check the points in the switch. Make sure they are closed.

Get back after those two steps are done.

[andyandtracy]

The breaker is/was on, the pump was working and the pressure gauge strangely was reading above 100 psi (earlier in the day), now (later in the day) the gauge reads 0 psi and I can hear a humming sound. The points are in the closed position. I decided that the humming doesn't sound right so I turned the breaker to the off position.

[jlisenbe]

Is the pump in the well or above ground?
If in the well, is there a control box other than the switch?

Just for the future, next time you see the pressure gauge at 100, RUN to the house and turn off the breaker.

[andyandtracy]

The pump is in the well.
Yes, there is a control box other than the switch. It is on the wall.
I knew the high pressure was bad.

[jlisenbe]

Andy, you're probably at the point of needing to call in a pro. It is possible that the control box is bad. You can use a voltmeter to make sure current is getting that far, but with the points closed it would be logical to think that would be the case. If your gauge is accurate, then the points might have stuck closed on the switch and let the pump continue to run until it was damaged. The sediment issue is also a concern. At any rate, sounds like the parts above ground are at least getting current to the pump.

If you know you are getting current to the pump from the control box, then you might elect to pull the pump yourself, but it is not easy. The pipe is generally in twenty foot sections, so you pull one section at a time, unscrew it, pull another twenty feet up, and so forth. Main deal is this: Don't drop it! Make sure the lower section is secure before you unscrew the top section of pipe.

Hopefully, someone else on this site will see something that I am missing.

[andyandtracy]

Thank you for all of your help I have learned a lot we are trying to get an expert out today.

Andy

[andyandtracy]

The experts came out today. We are so grateful. The problem was the pressure gauge and switch. Both needed replacement. They are replaced now and water is rolling again. Yay!

[jlisenbe]

Thanks for letting us know how it worked out. Glad the pump was not involved.