Guides

Help with common water problems: what the symptom usually means, what to check, and when to call in a professional.

Pump troubleshooting

Common pump symptoms, what they usually mean, and what to check first.

Why does my pump keep turning on and off? Rapid on/off cycling usually means a waterlogged tank, a slow leak, or a tired pressure switch.
My pump runs but there’s no water pressure A pump that runs without moving water is nearly always struggling to draw it: lost prime, an air leak, or a low source.
My pump won’t turn off A pump that never shuts off can’t reach its cut-out pressure, from a leak, a stuck switch, or a waterlogged tank.
My pipes bang when the pump runs (water hammer) That bang or shudder when the pump starts or a tap shuts is water hammer, and it’s usually easy to calm.
My pump has become noisy A change in the noise usually points straight to the cause: bearings, cavitation, loose mounting, or trapped air.
Water is leaking from under my pump A drip from the joint between the motor and the pump head usually points to a worn mechanical seal.
My pump is slow to start or hums before starting A single-phase pump that hums and hesitates on start-up often has a failing start capacitor.
My pump keeps tripping the breaker or safety switch A pump that trips the breaker or safety switch (RCD) is flagging earth leakage or an overcurrent. Treat it as electrical.
My pump keeps dropping off Wi-Fi (or the app won’t update) If the app shows your pump offline or the numbers stop moving, it’s almost always the Wi-Fi signal, not the pump.
Why did my water pressure suddenly drop? When the whole house loses pressure at once, a quick process of elimination usually finds it fast.
My hot water pressure is low but the cold is fine When only the hot side is weak, the problem sits somewhere in the hot-water path, not your main supply.
How do I find where a water leak is coming from? A hidden leak wastes water and makes your pump cycle. A simple meter test confirms one, then you narrow it down.
Why is air spitting from my taps? Taps that splutter and spit air usually mean air has got into the lines, often after work on the system or a pump losing prime.

Care & maintenance

Keeping your pump running quietly for years, with a little help from the app.

How do I look after my pump so it lasts? A pressure pump is low-maintenance, but a few simple habits keep it out of trouble for years.
How do I protect my pump over winter? Frost is the enemy. Water expanding as it freezes can crack a pump or its fittings. A little prep avoids it.

Repairs & how-to

Hands-on fixes and services, step by step. Some are a confident-DIY job, some are best left to a pro, and we say which.

How do I prime a pump? Priming means filling the pump and its suction line with water before you start it. Skipping it’s the fastest way to wreck a pump.
How do I change a pump’s mechanical seal? A weep from under the pump usually means the seal. Replacing it’s doable if you’re handy, here’s what’s involved.
How do I check a check valve or foot valve? A check valve stops water flowing backwards. When it fails, pumps lose prime and cycle on and off. Testing one takes five minutes.
How do I re-pressurise a pressure tank? A waterlogged pressure tank makes a pump cycle rapidly. Recharging its air side often fixes it, here’s how.
What are the most common pump installation mistakes? Most pump problems are born at install. Get a few things right at the start and you’ll barely think about it again.

Water & tank care

Getting the best out of tank and town water. Our treatment range is on the way; until then, here’s honest guidance so you can sort it now.

How do I get the chlorine taste out of my water? That pool taste in town water is chlorine. It’s one of the easiest things to reduce, from a jug to a whole-house filter.
How do I treat and clean a water tank? Keeping muck out, clearing sediment, and disinfecting when needed, including hydrogen peroxide and chlorine.
How do I check how much water is in my tank? From a tap on the side to a fitted gauge or a smart sensor, the easy ways to know how much water you’ve got.
Which filters do I need for tank water? Tank water needs different filtering to town water. Match the setup to what you actually use the water for.
Does hard water, iron or salt air damage my pump? Scale, iron and coastal salt air all wear water gear over time. Here’s what to watch for and how to protect against it.
When should I change my water filter? A filter only works until it’s full. How to know when a cartridge is due, and how to keep filters doing their job.
Why does my water smell like rotten eggs? That sulphur smell is usually hydrogen sulphide, often from the hot water system or bore water. The hot tap is your first clue.
Why is my water brown or discoloured? Brown or rusty water is usually disturbed sediment or iron, and often clears on its own. The pattern tells you which.

Choosing the right system

Not sure what kind of system you need? Straight-talking guides to the main options, including how to find a good one today. We point to our own range as we add it.

How do I compare pressure pumps properly? Most pump listings quote the same three numbers. Here’s what to look at instead, and why each one shows up in your power bill, your water pressure, or your patience.
Is a rainwater tank worth it? What a tank really saves, why gardens do better on rainwater, and where the value actually sits. We don’t sell tanks, so this is the unconflicted version.
Which submersible or bore pump do I need? Drawing water up from a bore, well or deep tank needs a different pump to a surface pressure pump. A couple of measurements narrow it down.
How do I choose whole-house water filtration? Filtering every tap is about matching the filter to what’s actually in your water. Test first, then match the stages.
Do I need a water softener? Hard water leaves scale and shortens the life of appliances. How to tell if you have it, and what actually fixes it.
How do I make my tank water safe to drink? Rainwater tanks aren’t disinfected. If you drink from yours, here’s how to make it safe: filter first, then disinfect.
Which water pumps have an app, and is it actually useful? Plenty of pumps now claim to be smart. The useful question is what the app actually shows you, whether the data is yours, and what happens to any of it when the company loses interest.
Can a water pump tell me if I have a leak? A slow leak can run for months before you notice it. Some pumps can now spot the pattern, but what they detect, and what they still cannot tell you, is worth understanding before you rely on it.
How do I choose a quiet water pump? A pump you can hear from the bedroom is a pump you will resent. Noise comes from four separate places, and only one of them is the number on the box.
Which pump do I need for garden irrigation? Irrigation is about flow more than pressure: enough water to run your sprinklers at once. Two numbers get it sized.
How do I choose a replacement for my old pump? Replacing a dead or ageing pump is your chance to get the sizing right. How to pick the right one, not just the same one.