Three Common Problems With Well Pumps
There's nothing quite like having fresh, clean, well water delivered to your house every day. Not only are your energy bills much lower, but you also have the peace of mind of knowing where your water came from.
Unfortunately, the biggest headache with well pumps is the increased maintenance that is required to keep your equipment operating at peak efficiency. The well itself is usually far out of sight and unserviceable by the average homeowner, so if you suspect that's the problem, it's best to hire a plumber that can handle well repair. The well pump can also be an issue, however. Below are some of the most common problems you may experience.
No Water
The most common problem with well pumps is also the most frustratingly easy one to fix. Sometimes, you can turn the faucet on and absolutely nothing comes out. If that's the case, it could be for one of two reasons: overuse or drought. Using too much water — usually in the spring and summer months — can lead to a depleted water supply in the fall, while a drought lowers the water table on its own. If that's the case, you can usually lengthen the pipe to tap into the lower reservoir.
Bad Water
If your water tastes funny, you could have an issue with the sediment inside the pump. Over time, minerals and other tiny pieces of debris can get lodged inside your pump and inhibit the flow, eventually causing the water to stop flowing altogether. When this happens, you'll also notice sputtering water flow out of your faucet. Once that happens, the whole pump will need to be pulled for either a repair or a replacement.
Low Flow
A well pump that is not rated for the size of the house that it's trying to service will be constantly overworked and most likely fail prematurely. The first sign of this happening is higher energy bills, as the pump is working nonstop to provide the water for your home. The only solution is usually a complete well pump replacement.
Alternatively, one of the other issues that face people with well water is a problem of their pressure switch. This little device lets the pump know when to deliver water to the house, instead of activating every single time someone turns on a faucet. If you're experiencing low flow (or no flow at all), it could be a problem with the pressure switch in your well pump. It's possible to inspect this yourself, but if you're uncomfortable doing so, schedule a well repair.
If you need help with your well, contact a company like Action Well & Pump Repair.