It can be frustration when your well tank starts causing problems for your home. It can leave you with inconsistent water pressure or no water at all. What could be happening, and should you call a water well professional? Well tank problems can be difficult to fix and may even cause you to replace your tank. How do you know when to get your well tank checked? Keep reading for the top 3 well tank issues we see!
Low Water Pressure
If you’re finding that the water isn’t flowing from the faucet or showerhead as forcefully as you’d like it to, it could be due to low water pressure. Low water pressure could be caused by a failing well tank, stuck check valve, leaking or failing pressure tanks, building a home addition, or periods of heavy water usage. In some cases, iron bacteria clog up the pipe causing the pressure switch to sense pressure incorrectly. If your well water tests high in iron bacteria, your pump and/or well screen may become clogged with iron bacteria. Flushing the well tank can often restore the well tank to a better condition.
Higher Electric Bill
When a well tank wears out or becomes blocked with sand, silt, or iron bacteria, the well pump needs to work much harder than if it was in good shape. An overworked well tank means an increasingly higher power cost, and an increasing electricity bill. A higher power bill can also be the cause of a check valve that’s gone bad. This means that water from the well tank flows back down into the well, enabling water from your well tank to flow back down into the well, reducing pressure and signals to the pressure switch to turn the pump on again and pressurize the tank. This on and off-cycle may occur every few minutes and meaning the well tank runs nearly 24 hours a day, causing a higher electric bill.
Water Quality has Changed
If notice a change in water quality such as a large amount of sand, sediment, odors, or different color, this can indicate that something has happened to your well shaft, casing, pump, or drop pipe. The best thing to do if your well water quality changes sharply over a few days is to get your water tested. If you notice a big drop in water pressure or see large amounts of sand or grit, you should reach out to a well water professional such as Daigle Plumbing, Heating & Cooling.
It can be annoying to deal with low water pressure, higher electric bills, or water quality changes in your home, so contact your local plumber to get these issues fixed. However, if any of these problems become severe, then it may be time to replace your well tank. Well tanks can last anywhere from 5 to 20 years, depending on the quality of your tank. Make sure to get your well tank checked out before these issues cause more problems.
About Daigle Plumbing, Heating & Cooling
Founded over 40 years ago, Daigle Plumbing, Heating & Cooling is family-owned and operated by the Daigle family. We are proud to provide quality, dependable plumbing, heating, and cooling services for our customers in Derry, NH, and the surrounding areas. Daigle Plumbing, Heating & Cooling is your partner for all your plumbing, heating, and cooling needs. Call us today at 603-434-6353 for a free estimate.
