Homes inside Winston-Salem are served by Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Utilities, so well pump work mostly applies to properties in outlying Forsyth County that rely on a private well. Common problems include a tripped breaker, a failed pressure switch, a waterlogged pressure tank or a pump that has worn out. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Winston-Salem who services well systems.
Who actually has a well around here
The city-county utility system covers the city and much of Forsyth County, with more than 2,300 miles of water mains. Most homes in Winston-Salem itself have no well at all. Private wells are found mainly on rural and edge-of-county properties beyond the mains, and Forsyth County Environmental Health permits and samples them. If you are on city water and pressure drops, the cause lies elsewhere and a well pump page will not help.
How a typical well system works
A submersible pump sits down in the well casing, or a jet pump sits above ground on shallow wells. It pushes water into a pressure tank. A pressure switch turns the pump on when tank pressure falls to a set point and off when it reaches the upper setting. When any one of those parts fails, the house sees low pressure, sputtering faucets or no water.
Symptoms and likely causes
| What you see | Where to look first |
|---|---|
| No water anywhere in the house | Breaker, pressure switch contacts, or a failed pump or motor |
| Pump clicks on and off every few seconds | Pressure tank that has lost its air charge or has a failed bladder |
| Pressure slowly fades over a shower | Clogged sediment filter, worn pump, or a dropping water level |
| Air spurts or cloudy water | Leak in the drop pipe, or a water level near the pump intake |
| Pump runs but never shuts off | Leak in the system, a broken pipe, or a worn pump that can't build pressure |
Safe things to check yourself
- Look at the breaker or fuse for the pump circuit.
- Read the gauge near the pressure tank and note where the pump starts and stops.
- Check any whole-house filter for a clogged cartridge.
Leave the electrical parts of the pressure switch and any pump pulling to a professional. Submersible pumps have to be lifted out of the casing with the pipe and wire attached.
Water quality after a repair
Opening a well for pump work can introduce bacteria. Forsyth County Environmental Health offers well water sampling, and testing after major work is a sensible step.
What sets the price
Cost depends on whether the fix is a switch, a tank or the pump itself, how deep the pump is set, the pump type and horsepower, and the condition of the wiring and drop pipe.
Well Pump Repair questions from Winston-Salem homeowners
Do homes in Winston-Salem have wells?
Why does my well pump keep turning on and off?
Should I test my water after pump work?
Can I replace a submersible pump myself?
Related plumbing services in Winston-Salem
Helpful guides
Well Pump Repair in nearby cities and towns
Forsyth County
Davie County
Davidson County
Rowan County
Last updated: