Well Pump Repair in McLean & Great Falls, VA

Many homes in Great Falls and on larger lots around McLean get water from a private well instead of Fairfax Water. When a well system stops working, the whole house is without water. The fix can be as small as a pressure switch or as big as a new pump. We start with the parts above ground and work down. For plumbing inside the house, see our full list of plumbing services in McLean. In winter, our guide to preventing frozen pipes also applies to exposed well lines and tanks.

What our well service includes

• No-water and low-pressure diagnosis.
• Pressure switch testing, adjustment and replacement.
• Pressure tank air charge checks and tank replacement.
• Check valve, gauge and tank fitting repairs.
• Sediment filter and treatment equipment plumbing checks.
• Leak location on the house side of the system.
• Coordination with a licensed well contractor when the pump or well itself must be pulled.

Signs and causes

How well pump repair works in Great Falls and McLean

1. Check power and controls. Breaker, wiring at the switch and the pressure switch contacts.
2. Check the pressure tank. Air charge, bladder condition and the gauge reading.
3. Look for leaks. A leak on the house side can make the pump run constantly.
4. Test the pump. Amp draw and pressure build tell us whether the pump is working.
5. Repair or coordinate. We repair what is in the house. If the pump or well must be pulled, we explain why and coordinate with a licensed well contractor.
6. Restore and test. We confirm pressure, cut-in and cut-out settings and check for leaks.

Well system parts at a glance

What affects the cost

• Whether the fix is a switch, tank or the pump itself.
• Well depth and pump type when the pump must be pulled.
• Pressure tank size.
• Water treatment equipment in the system.
• Emergency timing.

DIY vs calling a pro

You can check the breaker and look at the pressure gauge. Do not open the pressure switch cover unless the power is off; it carries live voltage. Well pumps and well casings are specialized work and may require a licensed well contractor in Fairfax County.

Fairfax County rules for private wells

Fairfax County's health department oversees private wells under its Private Well Water Ordinance (Chapter 70.1). It recommends testing well water every year for bacteriological and chemical contaminants and checking the system regularly for mechanical problems. It also says to contact a licensed well contractor for problems with the well, well line or well components, and a licensed plumber for other plumbing.

Water heaters and fixtures on well systems

A well changes how the rest of the plumbing behaves. Pressure rises and falls between the pressure switch's cut-in and cut-out settings, so showers can feel weaker at the low end of the cycle. Sediment from the well can reach the water heater, aerators and toilet fill valves and wear them faster. Treatment equipment such as softeners, neutralizers and UV lights add parts that can leak or clog. When we work on a well home, we look at the whole system, not just the part that failed, so the next problem does not show up a week later.

Local note

Private wells are most common in Great Falls and on larger lots near the McLean border. Some homes in Oakton and outer Vienna also have older wells. Most homes in Tysons and Reston are on public water.

Well pump questions

Why is there no water from my well?

Common causes are a tripped breaker, a failed pressure switch, a waterlogged pressure tank, a frozen or broken line, or a failed pump. Some of these are simple fixes; we check the easy ones first.

Why does my well pump turn on and off so often?

That is called short cycling. It is usually a pressure tank that has lost its air charge or a failed bladder. Short cycling wears out pumps, so it is worth fixing quickly.

Who should I call for well problems in Fairfax County?

Fairfax County's health department says to contact a licensed well contractor for problems with the well, well line or well components, and a licensed plumber for plumbing inside the home. Ask any company which parts of the system it can legally work on.

How often should well water be tested?

Fairfax County's health department recommends testing private well water every year for bacteriological and chemical contaminants.

Can low water pressure be a well problem?

Yes. A failing pump, a pressure switch set too low, a clogged sediment filter or a waterlogged tank can all lower pressure. So can a leak, which our team can also locate.

Sources

• Fairfax County Health Department — Onsite Sewage and Private Well Water Systems
• Fairfax County Health Department — Healthy Homes Fairfax

Last reviewed 2026-11-07. This page is general information, not legal or insurance advice. Read how we research and check pages in our editorial policy.

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