Okay, here’s my blog post about how long you can leave a well pump off:
So, the other day, I had this whole thing with my well pump. We were going out of town for a bit, and I was like, “Should I turn the darn thing off?” I mean, it’s using electricity just sitting there, right? But then I started thinking, “What if turning it off messes it up?” It’s one of those things you don’t really think about until you have to think about it.
First thing I did was hit up Google. Lots of confusing stuff, some folks saying it’s fine, others acting like it’s the end of the world. Not super helpful. I needed some real-world advice, not just theories.
Then, I remembered my neighbor, old man Johnson. He’s had a well for like, a hundred years. Figured he’d know. So, I ambled over, and we had a good chat on his porch.
Talking to Mr. Johnson
He basically said this: “Son, it depends.” Super helpful, right? But then he explained. If it’s just for a weekend, don’t even bother. The pump can handle that no problem. He said the bigger issue is when you leave it off for weeks or months.
He told me that when the pump sits idle for too long, things can start to, well, get funky. Like, sediment can build up, parts can seize, and you might even get some nasty stuff growing in there. Not exactly what you want in your drinking water.
- Short Trips (Few Days): No problem, leave it on.
- Longer Trips (Few Weeks): Maybe turn it off, But read below.
- Extended Absences (Months): You gotta do some prep work!
My “Experiment” (aka, Vacation)
We were only going away for a week. Based on Mr. Johnson’s advice, and honestly, my own laziness, I decided to leave the pump running. Seemed like the easiest option, and less risk of coming back to a waterless house.
When we got back, everything was perfect. Water pressure was normal, no weird smells, no nothing. So, for a short trip, leaving it on was definitely the way to go.
Long-Term Shutdown – What I Learned (But Didn’t Do)
Now, if I were going away for months, here’s what Mr. Johnson said I should do. And it makes sense, even though I didn’t have to do it this time:
- Turn off the power: Obviously, find the breaker and flip it off.
- Drain the system (partially): He said not to completely empty it, but to release the pressure and let some water out. This helps prevent freezing (if it’s winter) and reduces the chance of stagnant water problems.
- When you get back, flush it good: Before you use the water for anything, run the taps for a while. Get that old water out and make sure everything is flowing smoothly.
So, there you have it. My little well pump adventure. Hopefully, this helps someone else who’s wondering the same thing. Remember, I’m no expert, just a guy sharing what I learned. If you’re really worried, call a well guy. They’re the real pros.
