These days, the low quality of municipal water supply is no surprise to anyone. Some people complain of debris and dirty water, while others are struggling with water shortages. As a result, most homeowners invest in residential wells. Alongside being an incredible resource, it can supply excellent water with minimal requirements. You no longer have to get municipal water because wells ensure sufficient water supply without hefty water bills.
However, some people fail to acknowledge that water well needs servicing and routine maintenance. Are you using well water for the past few years? Sooner or later, you will encounter various water problems of low pressure, especially if you are not taking care of it. You might come across slow dripping water from showers or leaking faucets due to the water pressure fluctuations.
After all, well systems rely on a functioning relationship between the pump, pressure tank, and switch. If anything fails, the entire system faces disruption. If you are experiencing similar problems, let us help you out. Here are a few tips for handling low water pressure if you have a water well system.
- Inspect Pressure Regulators
Unlike everything else, water pressure needs to be optimal. If it is low, your dishwasher and washing will struggle, whereas your pipes can be at a threat of damage. Thus, regularly test your home’s water pressure and address the low-pressure problem immediately. Firstly, turn off the water supply of the entire house and use a pressure gauge. Remove the hose from your main water line and attach the pressure gauge to test the water flow.
If the reading is below 45psi, check the nearby valves. If any valve gets mounted on the water main, consider adjusting or replacing it to avoid disrupting the water supply. If this doesn’t solve the well pressure tank troubleshooting problem, use a pressure booster pump. It provides a permanent solution as it transfers the fluids from the surface level to the top, letting the water pass through pipes.
- Unclog the Pipes
Despite an efficient plumbing system, people complain of low water pressure. But what if the problem is not in your design? Sometimes, pipes and gate valves get clogged with debris, dirt, and waste material, halting the water supply. Therefore, either call plumbers for inspection and unclogging or give a shot to it yourself. Before anything else, determine if the faulty fixtures or sediments are causing the trouble.
Once you are sure, locate the pipes with clogs and detach them from the pump. You can use powerful cleaners to remove the deposits and then restore the line thoroughly. However, if the clogging is extreme or the pipe is rusty, replace them with new pipes with a larger diameter. Besides, use a plunger to blast air pressure into the faucet – a perfect solution for local clogs.
- Service Your Pressure Tank
Whether you have a new pressure tank or an old one, routine maintenance is crucial for smooth functioning. Most pressure tanks build up cavitation and sediments that affect the house’s water pressure. Alongside halting supply, it damages the pipes, reducing their efficiency. Therefore, once in six months, plan a small servicing spree for your tank.
Start by unplugging the power of the pumping system and turn on the faucets to drain all water. Use cleaning solutions to remove all the sediments and check air pressure. If the pressure is below 2psi, add some more air before you pour the water back. Adequate air pressure ensures the smooth functioning of water well systems.
- Replace Gate Valves
Are you familiar with gate valves? These are the gates inside the pipes that let the fluids pass through. They require little space with the pipe axis to open and restrict the water flow. However, gate valves have metal seats, which can cause leakages. Similarly, it tends to seize up after some time. Thus, if you have an old gate valve – it might be the reason for inadequate water pressure.
At times, these valves also get stuck, meaning they won’t open or close. After all, the metal casing is prone to getting rusty, especially when it comes to water contact. Although you can clean these valves and remove all the debris, there is no guarantee that it would work fine. Hence, replace these gate valves every six months if you have excessive usage to close doors for water disruptions.
- Low Volume of Aquifer
Believe it or not, but some problems of low water pressure are due to the condition of groundwater itself. Every water well system draws water from aquifers and supplies it to the water tank. If there are any underground rock formations, they can affect the groundwater from flowing freely. Although determining groundwater volume is next to impossible, you can always make precise judgments using a pressure pump.
If pumping is taking longer than usual, you know where the problem lies. It usually happens when homeowners are withdrawing water for ages. After all, groundwater depletion is a reality that everyone will encounter at some point in time. Are you wondering how to fix it? Either drill the well further into the ground until it reaches particular water well. Otherwise, drill another well at a distant location.
Final Word
Every homeowner who owns a well also has a pressure tank to ensure adequate supply, yet faces low water pressure. After all, these are also machines that need regular servicing and repairing. If you encounter low water pressure, visually examine the tank’s condition. If it is rusty from every nook and corner, consider it a sign to get a new one. If your tank is not decades old, check pipes and gate valves to understand the root cause of this problem.
