Worried that a full well replacement is in your future? It might actually be a problem with the pressure tank, filter, piping or a host of other problems. Relying on well water is a great way to save money on monthly utility bills (and enjoy some mineral-rich drinking water in the process), but it doesn’t come without troubles. Stop spending 30 minutes in the shower just to get all the shampoo out of your hair from poor water pressure—it might be an easier fix than you think.
Remember that only a licensed contractor can perform proper diagnostics on your well. Trying a DIY approach might lead to a lucky break, but more often than not it just causes a “break”. One of the most common causes of poor water pressure is a clogged water filter. A tell-tale sign is that the pump turns off and on quickly. Another popular problem spot is with a clogged water supply pipe, which reduces the overall flow in a home or building. Your well service contractor can tell you if debris got caught in the pipes (especially at the elbow), remove the blockage and take measures to prevent it from happening in the future.
No “Tank” You
Of course, it’s also feasible that you have a bad water tank on your hands. Private wells have a water pressure tank, and they don’t last forever. If you notice the tank is shaking, that might be a sign that it’s not even holding much water to begin with. Maybe the well ran dry, or perhaps the water pump never kicked on to signal a water supply re-up.
If you’re staring down an empty water tank, it could have a ruptured bladder (which is just what it sounds like). In some instances, these ruptures can be repaired without replacing the entire tank. Steel water tanks are vulnerable to pinhole leaks and the occasional rust spot. There’s also the possibility of general pipe failure, which can be pinpointed between the home/building and well (and in some colder regions, the pipes might be frozen).
It’s the Little Things
Modern wells have a lot of working parts, and when one of them goes awry it can mess up your entire water supply. For example, a bad foot valve can lead to shallow water and poor water pressure. With jet pumps, there’s often a removable plug that allows access of pumped water into a chamber for “priming”. If the plug goes AWOL, that throws a wrench into your water pressure.
From internal parts failure to water pump motor failure, there’s a laundry list of things that can go wrong. However, the sooner poor pressure is addressed, the quicker and more cost effective it can be to fix. Don’t wait until the spring thaw to get “under pressure.” Call Mike Zimmerman Well Service today!
