Here at Rosendall Well Drilling, we recommend a well inspection every five years. This will ensure your well continues to run efficiently without needing any critical well pump repair.

A well pressure tank is a major piece of a well system. It is a container that provides pressurized water from a well pump to a home. The pump fills the tank with water, causing the air inside the tank to compress and increase the pressure. When water is drawn out of the tank, the pressure decreases to a preset cut-on point, and the pump turns on and refills the tank.

When the pump fills up, pressure increases until it reaches a cut-off point. At this cut-off point, the pump turns off and will not activate until the tank’s pressure drops below the cut-off point. A well pressure tank preserves the life of the well pump and reduces the need for emergency well services by decreasing the number of times the pump must turn on and off. The larger the capacity of the tank, in our experience, the less often the pump needs to activate if the pump is sized appropriately.

A well pump is a device that draws water from a well and pushes it into a well storage tank. Depending on the type of pump, well drillers can install it in the home, in an outbuilding, or in the well itself. A submersible pump uses impellers to draw water in and push it up a pipe. In our experience, these pumps work better than the others under certain conditions and carry different initial and ongoing maintenance costs. According to Bankrate, you'll need to replace your well pump approximately every decade.

Numerous problems with a well pressure tank can cause the well pump to short cycle or run constantly. The well pressure tank is designed to alleviate the workload of the pump. When the tank is near empty, the pressure switch switches the pump on until the tank reaches a preset pressure. When this pressure is reached, the pump switches off. This allows the pump to run as little as possible while maintaining the highest efficiency.

When the pressure tank fails, however, water pressure fluctuates, and the pressure switch may activate the pump too much or not at all. When the switch activates the pump constantly, the pump overheats and the motor wears down. This constant abuse of your well pump can also have serious consequences, as constant operation or short cycling can lead to the premature failure of the pump. When the well pump fails, no water can reach the pressure tank and, consequently, the home. After which, you'll need a well services company to come out and repair your pump.

Certain well pressure tank problems can cause the well pump to run constantly. As a result, the pump uses far more electricity than under normal operation. To know if your well water system is using too much electricity, monitor your electrical bill every month to determine any spikes in the future. In our experience, investing in regular well services and inspections can also help maintain your electric bill.

As well drillers, in our experience, black sediment in your well water is usually minerals such as Manganese. It could also be caused by a hole in your drop pipe, which, in return, stirs up your well and breaks off sediment in your well casing.

Tanks and well pumps are set up using a high and a low setting. As residential well drillers, our tanks usually run on a 40/60 psi cycle. Sometimes a faulty pressure switch or gauge can cause lower pressure. Low pressure can also be caused by mineral buildup at the bottom of your well, in the screen. In this case, you will need a treatment added to breakup the mineral buildup to restore pressure again.

As a private well owner, you are responsible for regularly testing your well water. Newly drilled wells in Michigan are tested for the presence of coliform, E. coli, nitrates, and other possible contaminants. Water testing is also done for E. coli and coliform before the purchase of a home. If you have any other questions regarding well services and maintenance, just give our team a call.