Hi, I am Justin Wilder, owner of Wild Water Plumbing and Septic, and a U.S. Navy Veteran. If you live in Hubert, you already know how fast this community is growing.
Families moving in from Camp Lejeune, new neighborhoods off Queens Creek Road and Sandridge Road, and the long rural stretches toward Bear Creek all make Hubert a unique place to work.
But there is one problem I get calls about more in Hubert than almost anywhere else in Onslow County: frequent well pump cycling.
If your pump is turning on and off rapidly, running almost nonstop, or clicking repeatedly at the pressure switch, your system is telling you something is wrong.
Frequent cycling is not just annoying it is one of the fastest ways to burn out a well pump.
Hubert homes deal with this issue more often due to soil conditions, household water use patterns, and the age of many wells in the area.
Today, I want to walk you through why pump cycling happens so much in Hubert and what you can do to stop it before it destroys your pump.
Why Well Pump Cycling Is So Common in Hubert
Hubert sits between Jacksonville, Swansboro, and the coastal marshes near Queen Creek and Bear Creek.
The soil, groundwater behavior, and family water usage patterns here all contribute to cycling issues.
Many Hubert Homes Have Undersized or Aging Pressure Tanks
A pressure tank stores water and allows your pump to rest between cycles.
But many homes in Hubert, especially older ones near the rural sections of Queens Creek Road, still have small or aging pressure tanks.
When the tank starts to fail, you get:
Rapid clicking from the pressure switch
Pressure rising and falling quickly
Pump kicking on every few seconds
Strained pump motors
A failing pressure tank is one of the number one causes of frequent pump cycling in Hubert.
Heavy Household Water Use from Larger Families
Most Hubert families are busy, active households with kids, pets, and a lot of daily water use.
Whether you live near the neighborhoods off Sandridge Road or closer to the backroads leading toward Swansboro, chances are your home uses water around the clock.
Common high-demand patterns include:
Morning showers for the whole family
Laundry running constantly
Dishwashers cycling multiple times
Irrigation for lawns or gardens
Showers repeated after work or gym time
When water demand is high throughout the day, pumps cycle more often because they never get a long enough break to cool.
Hubert Soil Conditions Affect Water Tables More Than People Realize
Hubert has sandy soil in many areas, especially closer to Queens Creek and the waterways leading toward Swansboro.
Sandy soil drains quickly, meaning your well may struggle to keep up during dry spells.
When water levels fluctuate, the pump cycles more often:
The pump works harder to pull water
The pressure drops sooner
The pump kicks on more frequently
The motor overheats
Homes near the marshy areas or the rural outskirts experience this most often.
Aging Wells Are Common Throughout Hubert
There are a surprising number of homes in Hubert that still use wells installed 20 to 35 years ago.
These older systems operate less efficiently, and the components that help regulate pressure begin to wear down.
Older wells often suffer from:
Worn pump impellers
Clogged screens
Old wiring
Failing pressure switches
Weak pump motors
Each one of these problems forces the system to cycle rapidly.
Waterlogged Pressure Tanks Are Extremely Common
A waterlogged tank means the internal bladder has failed or the air charge is gone.
Once this happens, the tank fills with water and loses its ability to regulate pressure.
Symptoms of a waterlogged tank:
Pump cycles every 5 to 20 seconds
No air cushion inside the tank
Pressure drops instantly when water is used
Pump runs hot or long
Hubert homes experience this frequently due to high humidity and seasonal temperature swings.
How I Diagnose Frequent Pump Cycling in Hubert
Whenever I respond to a cycling call in Hubert, I go through the system step by step to find the root cause.
Step 1: Pressure Tank Testing
I check:
Tank size
Air pressure
Bladder condition
Tank age
Most cycling issues begin here.
Step 2: Inspect the Pressure Switch
If the switch is burned, corroded, or chattering repeatedly, the pump will cycle constantly.
Step 3: Check Pump Output
A weak pump will struggle to maintain pressure, forcing more cycling.
Step 4: Look for Sediment Buildup
Sandy wells feeding sediment into the pump or tank can cause short cycling and pump strain.
Step 5: Evaluate Household Demand
Sometimes the pump is simply too small for the amount of water the household uses each day.
How I Fix Pump Cycling Problems in Hubert
Once I pinpoint the cause, I walk you through your options. Common fixes include:
Replacing the pressure tank
Replacing a failing pressure switch
Clearing sediment blockages
Adjusting pressure settings
Upgrading the pump
Adding a larger tank to reduce cycling
Installing a pump saver device
These changes protect your pump and prevent premature wear.
Hubert Families Rely on Their Well Every Day, and I Am Here To Help
Frequent cycling is not something you should ignore.
It shortens pump life, raises your electric bill, and can leave you with no water at the worst possible moment.
I take pride in helping Hubert families protect their systems and avoid emergency replacements.
As a U.S. Navy Veteran, I believe in honest service, clear explanations, and repairs that last.
If your pump is cycling constantly, contact Wild Water Plumbing and Septic.
I will inspect your system, stop the cycling, and keep your well running reliably.
