I have problems with debris getting into the pressure switch on my well. Two weeks ago I had to have the well driller out to clear it (which cost me $110) and he suggested a $450 permanent repair involving some excavation and moving the pressure switch to the “inside” or something like that. Tonight I’m again waterless and I’m sure it’s the same problem. I’m saving up for a $700 root canal and crown so it’s not a good time for me to shell out the money for another house call or for the permanent fix.
Can anyone explain to me how to clear the debris in the pressure switch? I was at work when he was here the last time so couldn’t watch how it was done. I’m not sure how to describe my setup. The pump is a submersible and there’s a pipe that sticks out of the ground with a cap on it. There’s a pressure gauge and a nipple below that (like on a tire).
I have a shallow well which is of course above ground.
Is the switch under water with the pump?
No, the switch is above ground. I only mentioned that it was a submersible pump because the last time I called him he asked me that.
Get some gloves.
I have to periodically take a dremel and file the contacts smooth on the pressure switch. The switch has wires from 110v, wires from the pump motor and a little hose that goes to the pump body. Water pressure moves contacts in the switch to turn the motor on and off. There is a plastic cover over the switch.
The switch has 110v on it, so be carefull. Disconnect the power.
The contacts on my pump become worn and quit conducting electricity, so the pump won’t work.
I disconnect 110v from the switch, unscrew the little pipe, and remove the switch. You can buy a new one at the hardware store for about $20.00, but this happens at 11:00 on Friday night, usually. The switch comes apart with a screw, and I file the contacts clean. I put it all back together, stand back and apply power.
If “debris” is just junk in the switch like cobwebs and dead ants, you might be able to clean it after turning off the power with a wire brush without unhooking anything. Turn the power off. Mine are usually badly burned so I have to take it apart and clean them.
PS
Post before and after, OK? I don’t want to read about you in the paper. 
Thank you. That picture helps a lot because I didn’t know which part is the pressure switch. I’m not going to check now because it’s dark and I’ll get eaten alive by mosquitoes but it looks familiar. Hopefully, in the morning, I’ll be able to locate it, take it apart (after shutting of the power to the well) and remove the offending gunk. The second time before this a bird had stored a sunflower seed there. I’m not sure what it was the most recent time. Another time it corrected itself on its own (probably a bug crawled in and eventually crawled out).
I also have a call in to the well guy. I re-read his memo to me and he did say he could tell me how to do it but the picture you linked to is going to help immensely. I’ll let you know how it turns out.
I dinked around with it a bunch of times this morning and I finally figured it out. There’s a plate that’s on a spring or something that comes up against the (this is hard to describe because I don’t know pressure switch lingo) contacts and that’s apparently where the debris gets in. When I accidentally jiggled that piece and turned the power back on, the pump kicked in. Thanks again for the info. Now that I know how easy it is I’m not going to have the $450 work done unless it starts happening a lot more often.
Can you protect it with a plastic bag and some duct tape?