What Are The Causes Of Low Well Water Pressure?

Homes with well water usually have steady pressure. If your well water pressure has decreased, you should know that many things can cause this problem. Sometimes, you can fix the problem by simply replacing the sediment filter. Other times, the issue is complex and you need to consult a well pump service.

Causes Of Reduced Well Water Pressure

Clogged Water Filter

Don’t get us wrong! Water filters are excellent and effective in keeping your well water clean and sediment-free. However, they work well till the filter or cartilage becomes clogged with sediment and other contaminants. At this point, water won’t be filtered at the same rate as before and the water pressure will reduce.

This is a rather simple cause of low well water pressure as you can go ahead and replace the cartilage to restore water pressure to the optimum levels.

Pressure Switch Issues

Your well water system has various components and one of them is a pressure switch. The pressure switch is near the pressure tank. It monitors the pressure and turns on the well pump when the pressure inside the pressure tank decreases to a cut-on pressure. Similarly, at the cut-off point when the pressure inside the pressure tank reaches the required level, the pressure switch signals the well pump to turn off.

In simpler terms, a pressure switch has a similar role that a thermostat has in air conditioners.

Why does the right pressure inside a pressure tank is important? Because that ensures a steady water pressure when you open faucets in the house. And this is why these three components: pressure switch, pressure tank, and well pump work together. This means whenever there are water pressure issues, these three components should be checked, among others.

Back to the pressure switch, if the pressure switch is set too low or if it’s faulty, it won’t signal the pump to turn on and off at the right cut-on and cut-off points leading to water pressure problems.

You can try adjusting a pressure switch by changing the “range” which changes both the cut-on and cut-off pressures. For instance, if your pressure switch is set at 45-65 PSI pressure and you increase the range to 1 PSI, then the new pressure switch setting will be 46-66 PSI.

However, incorrectly adjusting a pressure switch can lead to problems. Moreover, detecting if a pressure switch is set incorrectly or if it’s faulty can be difficult, so hire an expert to take a look at it.

Pressure Tank Problems

As we stated, a pressure tank also has a huge role in keeping constant water pressure so issues with it will directly cause low water pressure.

This issue happens with pressure tanks that have a bladder or diaphragm and are called bladder pressure tanks. The bladder in these tanks is what keeps a set pressure in the tank and also ensures a steady water pressure in the plumbing. If this bladder is damaged, the pressure tank will no longer be able to sustain enough pressure for normal water pressure in the faucets.

Usually, if the bladder in a pressure tank ruptures, it’s irreparable so you will need to replace the pressure tank. But keep in mind that a pressure tank lasts for 10-15 years so if the pressure tank is still new, the low water pressure issue may be due to something else. Still, you should have an expert inspect the pressure tank and other components to determine the cause.

Well Pump Problems

As stated earlier, well pumps also have a big impact on the water pressure. Commonly, an aging well pump loses its effectiveness and causes low water pressure. You can call in a well pump repair WV company who can inspect the pump and repair or replace it.

Moreover, if you have recently installed your well pump and the water pressure is low, you might have installed the wrong type, or the pump is not installed deep enough.

Your well pump should be chosen based on your well depth and your requirements of how much water you need. For instance, you should not install a submersible well pump for a shallow-depth water well.

Similarly, the right pump placement is critical. Both too low and too deep can cause issues. So, make sure you consult an expert for proper installation.

A Leakage In The Pipes

A leakage in the plumbing will lower the water pressure because water will be constantly leaking from one or multiple places. Pipe leakage is a serious problem because its effects are not limited to low water pressure. Leakage in plumbing can cause other bigger problems like water damage and mold growth that are difficult and expensive to tackle with.

Therefore, if you have low water pressure, you should consider getting your plumbing system checked because a leakage doesn’t just mess with the water pressure.

You can also check pipe leakage by faucets and everything from everywhere, waiting for an hour, and then check the water meter. If the water meter shows that you’re using water, then there is a leak. However, you should not rely on this method alone to detect a leak and get professional help.

Clogged And/Or Corroded Pipes

Well water, commonly, has excess minerals and they build up inside the pipes. Also, rust and debris accumulate there as well. Over time, this clogs the pipes and affects the flow of water. This reduces the water pressure.

Corrosion is the deterioration of the water pipes which leads to rust buildup that restricts the water flow. Moreover, pipes may also crack or leak because of corrosion so it’s a serious problem. If you have an older home, this is likely the cause of low water pressure.

You can have your plumbing system and pipes cleaned by hiring a professional if they are clogged. However, if it’s rust and corrosion, the only option is replacement.

Clogged Fixtures Or Showerheads

If you notice low water pressure on one or a few fixtures only and the water pressure in the rest of the house is fine, then those fixtures are clogged. So, use DIY methods to unclog the fixtures or hire a professional.

Damaged Well Casing

A well casing is a material that surrounds the well and protects it from sediment and contaminants. But when the casing is damaged due to factors like age, ground movement, incorrect installation techniques, etc., the well water becomes contaminated with sediment and things that were near the well. This directly impacts the water quality and also water pressure.

However, this is not a likely cause of low water pressure. If you also experience degraded water quality with low water pressure, you should get the well inspected.

Declining Well Water Level

Water wells can run dry over time and cause problems like contaminated water, low water pressure, and no water at all. With this issue, you will also notice degraded water quality with low water pressure and the faucets spitting and sputtering.

You can consult an expert who can inspect the well and suggest options like changing the well pump placement, deepening the well, and others.

Conclusion

As you can see, many types of things can cause your well water pressure to decline so you need to hire an expert who can inspect everything from the well pump to the plumbing system. If the well pump is faulty, you should consider well pump replacement Washington County.