Is your bore pump working harder than it should? Most bore pump failures don’t happen suddenly. They build up slowly, often from small issues that go unnoticed or unchecked. By the time the system gives out, the damage is usually well underway, and the cost to fix it is higher than it needed to be.

So what’s actually causing bore pumps to fail? And how can you stop it from happening in the first place? The answer usually isn’t a single fault. It’s a mix of installation errors, poor maintenance, electrical faults, and issues with the water itself.

Bad Installation = Big Problems Later

A bore pump must be installed correctly from the beginning. If not, the entire system becomes vulnerable to stress, wear, and eventual failure. One of the most common mistakes is positioning the pump too deep or too shallow. Either way, pressure problems can occur, leading to overwork and early breakdown.

Poor cable management is another issue. Kinked or twisted cables can wear through their insulation, exposing wires and causing short circuits. And if surge protection or earthing is skipped during installation, the risk of electrical damage skyrockets.

Then there’s the rising main, which supports the pump and allows water to be delivered. If this isn’t braced or supported correctly, vibrations from the pump can weaken joints or cause cracking. This may not be obvious at first, but over time, the damage adds up, and bore pump repairs Perth become a necessity.

Water Quality Wears Pumps Down

The pump isn’t just dealing with water. It’s dealing with whatever is in that water. That includes minerals, particles, acidity, and sometimes bacteria. All of these can wear down or clog up the system, especially if no filtration or treatment is in place.

High iron levels, for example, will lead to rust and internal buildup. Grit or sand will grind down impellers. Water that’s too acidic or too alkaline can cause corrosion inside the motor or the housing. Even harmless-looking water can carry small particles that gradually erode seals or jam moving parts.

The most important thing here is testing. Without regular checks on water quality, you’re running blind. And if your bore pulls water from a variable or shallow source, those conditions can change throughout the year.

Electrical Faults Are More Common Than You Think

Bore pumps rely heavily on stable electricity. When that power is unstable or poorly managed, things start to fail. A voltage surge can burn out a motor in seconds. Low voltage can cause the motor to run hot and reduce efficiency. Poorly joined cables might corrode underground, especially in damp environments.

Loose terminals are another silent problem. They may not cause failure right away, but over time, they lead to resistance, heat, and short circuits. In areas where lightning is common, a lack of surge protection is just asking for trouble.

A big issue here is that many pump owners don’t inspect or test electrical components regularly. Just because the pump is running doesn’t mean the power supply is healthy. Electrical wear is often invisible until something shuts off or blows out.

What Happens When the Pump Runs Dry

Bore pumps are made to move water, not air. If the water level drops below the pump intake and it keeps running, it overheats quickly. This is known as dry running, and it’s one of the quickest ways to destroy internal parts.

Dry running can be caused by poor recharge rates in the bore, seasonal drops in water level, faulty level sensors, or even small leaks in the delivery pipe. Once the impellers are running dry, the internal temperature rises fast. Bearings, seals, and other moving parts break down within minutes.

The fix is simple: protection. Dry run sensors or float switches can stop the pump before the damage is done. But many systems skip this because they assume the bore will always stay full. That assumption ends up being costly.

Simple Steps to Extend Your Pump’s Life

The good news is that most bore pump failures are preventable. With a bit of ongoing care and attention, the system can run smoothly for many years.

• Check your installation – Make sure the pump is correctly placed, supported, and protected
  
  
• Get the water tested – Know exactly what your pump is dealing with and use filtration if needed
  
  
• Install electrical protection – Use surge arrestors, proper earthing, and overload devices
  
  
• Add dry run protection – Sensors or controllers that stop the pump before damage starts
  
  
• Do yearly servicing – Inspect pressure, flow, cabling, and all fittings
  
  
• Track performance – Watch for changes in flow, pressure, noise, or power use
  
  
• Respond quickly to signs – Don’t wait for the pump to stop before acting

These steps are easy to put off, especially if the system seems to be working fine. But regular checks and small investments go a long way in avoiding big repair bills later.

Keep Your System Running, Not Guessing

Bore pump failure usually isn’t a single bad day. It’s a chain of small problems that get ignored until it’s too late. Whether the issue is hidden underground or inside a motor, the result is the same — water stops flowing, and the costs begin.

The best way to avoid that is to treat your pump like any other key part of your property. Give it the checks, support, and protection it needs. A well-installed and maintained system doesn’t just last longer, it performs better every day. Stay ahead of problems, and you’ll never be caught without water when you need it most.