Low Well Water Pressure? Here’s Why!
If your home has a well, low water pressure has to be handled differently. There are a few common reasons for low water pressure from a well.
Deflated Air Bladder Tank
Your low water pressure may be caused by your air bladder pressure tank, if your home has one. This adds pressure to your tank through force. If the air bladder is not inflated enough, then it is not creating enough pressure in the tank to bring the water to your home. If your air bladder isn’t working properly, it most likely needs to be inflated. It may need to be replaced all together if this is not the issue.
Your Sediment Filter Is Clogged
Most wells have a sediment filter. This filters out the sediment that can buildup from the soil that often occurs from heavy rainfall. Like every filter, eventually they will need to be cleaned or replaced. If there was too much sediment entering the filter at once, it is very likely that it clogged. This will lower the water pressure to your home. To prevent this from happening, we recommend changing the filter every 6 months to keep the water as clean as possible with the perfect amount of pressure.
Clogged Pipes
If there are any clogs in your pipes, this can negatively affect your water pressure to your home. This is one of the most common problems that will lead to low water pressure in your home.
Pump Pressure Switch
If your pump pressure switch is going bad, this could lower the water pressure from your well. The pressure switch is located inside of the wells pressure tank. It tells the well pump to increase pressure when it goes below a certain PSI, typically 40 PSI.
The most common issue with a pressure switch is their internal spring. Once the spring loses its strength overtime, it will wear down the pressure switch. It can also wear down from its electrical components going bad.
Wrong Type Of Pump
There are many different types of water pumps to choose from. Depending on the power and design of the pump, some will work better than others. The standard pump may not provide the pressure that you need in your home. Luckily there are many options to choose from that could fit your needs better.
Types Of Well Pumps
Before you take out your well pump, learn about the different types of pumps. Each has their own advantages and disadvantages. Some of these pumps are not as powerful, so that could cause you to have low water pressure coming from your well.
Submersible
Submersible well pumps are the most common type of pump. These are long cylinders that completely submerge into the well. They have a motor that takes water from the well through the pump and above ground. These work well in almost any depth under ground, but they are also the most expensive type of pump.
Jet
Shallow and deep jet pumps are less expensive than submersible pumps, but do not work as well deep in the ground. If you well is shallow and close the the surface, then a shallow jet pump could be a good, less expensive option for you. If your well is deeper in the ground (deeper than 25 feet), you can use a deep jet pump. The closer your pump gets to 100 feet deep, the less likely you are to have your deep jet pump working properly.
Centrifugal
Centrifugal pumps are easier to access and maintain. They are an inexpensive pump that works through kinetic energy. They are smaller than most other pumps, so while this makes them easier to access and less expensive, they will not have as much power as other pumps.
Final Thoughts
If you have low well water pressure, there are a few things that could be causing this. Once you know the cause, it makes it easier to fix the problem and get your pressure back to how it should be!
Call 1-Tom-Plumber
Don’t hesitate to contact us here or call us at 1-Tom-Plumber (1-866-758-6237) if you need any plumbing, drain cleaning, or excavation service. 1-Tom-Plumber’s certified team of plumbers and drain technicians respond immediately to any emergency plumbing, drain cleaning, or water damage problem. We also handle the excavation of underground water lines and sewer main lines. Our immediate-response team is available every day and night of the year, even on holidays.
