Did Lightning Fry My Well Pump? What Florida Homeowners Should Know

Florida is the lightning capital of the United States, and every summer we get calls that start the same way: the storm rolled through, and now there's no water. A nearby strike or a surge on the power line can damage a well pump and the electrical parts that run it. Here's how to tell, and what to do.

How lightning damages a well system

Lightning rarely has to hit your pump directly. A strike nearby can send a surge through the ground or the power lines and into the pump motor, the pressure switch, or the control box. The control box and switch are often the first casualties because their electronics are sensitive. Sometimes the pump motor itself is fried.

Signs of a lightning-damaged pump

• No water at all after a storm
• A tripped breaker that won't reset, or trips again right away
• A burnt smell or scorch marks near the pressure switch or control box
• The pump is silent when it should run, or hums without pumping
• Damaged or melted wiring at the well head or tank

Please don't poke around wet electrical equipment yourself. There's line voltage involved, and a damaged system can be dangerous.

What to do first

1. Check whether it's just a tripped breaker, and if it trips again, leave it off.
2. Note anything you saw or smelled, like a scorch mark or a specific breaker, which helps us diagnose faster.
3. Call a licensed well contractor. We handle lightning damage repair and can usually tell over the phone what to check first.

Will insurance cover it?

Lightning damage is often covered by homeowners insurance, and we work with your insurance on these repairs regularly. Keep any documentation of the storm and the damage, and we can help with the paperwork side. The details are on our lightning damage page.

Preventing the next one

No one can stop lightning, but you can make your system more resilient with proper grounding and surge protection on the pump circuit. If you've been hit once in a lightning-prone spot, it's worth asking about. Surge and short-cycling protection also extends pump life in general, which we cover on the pumps page.

Common questions

Can lightning really damage a well pump without hitting it? Yes. A nearby strike can surge through the ground or power lines into the pump and its controls.

Is lightning damage covered by insurance? It often is under homeowners policies. We work with insurance on these repairs and can help document the claim.

How do I know if it's the pump or just a breaker? Start with the breaker, but if it trips repeatedly or you see or smell burnt wiring, stop and call a pro.

Lost water after a storm? Call us and we'll get you sorted. The answering service is live 24/7.