Water wells need regular maintenance to reduce the risk of contamination, well pump failures/issues, and deterioration of components. A professional Platinum Plumbing can inspect a well to ensure it is safe and identify potential hazards.

Your well repair specialist will check different parts of your well system to pinpoint the problem.

If you see water pooling in your yard or on the ground, it could be from a leaking well pump, a leak at a pressure tank connection, or a faulty foot valve. You might also notice the well pump turning on and off frequently or spitting water from the nozzles. You might have a problem with the water quality, as well; changes in odor or taste may indicate corrosion, iron buildup, or a pending leak.

Old underground water lines are vulnerable to damage, particularly when they’re under pressure from the well pump or buried in sandy soil. This can cause cracks and breaks that threaten the integrity of the line, which can lead to loss of water and pressure in your home.

In some cases, it’s possible to replace a damaged section of the underground pipe without digging up the entire line. However, depending on the type of pipe (copper or PVC) and the location of the leak it might be necessary to dig up the entire water line and replace it.

Well contractors may have a few different methods of replacing the old underground water line, including trenching and “mole pitting” or controlled blasting. The latter involves using a controlled explosion in the hole to create cracks that will let the well casing seat more firmly in consolidated rock aquifer materials. The technique is less common, but it can be effective in improving well yields by eliminating existing fractures and opening up new ones.

Another way to improve well performance is by repairing or replacing the well cap. The drive shoe is a metal plate attached to the bottom of the well casing that protects it as it’s being driven and provides firm seating in a consolidated geologic material. The drive shoe can become worn and damaged over time, and a leak may develop where it meets the casing.

It’s important to tackle a leak as soon as you notice it, as a small leak can quickly grow into a major one that damages the casing, soil, and your property. You should contact a professional water well contractor to lower a camera into your well and conduct a thorough inspection. If there is a minor leak, your contractor might use a repair sleeve to seal the leak and test it.

Casing

Casing consists of pipes with a large diameter that are lowered into the well hole to send off fluids or keep the bottom of the well from caving in. Casing is usually made from steel or PVC. It is important to have your casing inspected and maintained regularly. If it is not repaired correctly, contaminants can get into the water well. These contaminants may affect the quality of your water and are not able to be seen or smelled.

A professional can also re-grade the ground around your well to make sure that surface water is flowing away from it, not towards it. This is an important step in well repair and will prevent the problems mentioned above.

It is important to check your circuit breaker and pressure tank before calling for a well repair. If they are working properly, you should still have power to the pump. If you don’t, your pump could be broken or a wire is disconnected. These problems are very dangerous and should be left to a professional.

The most common signs of a problem with your well are changes in the taste and odor of your water. If these changes are severe, you may need to get a new well. Other symptoms include a loss of water pressure, low water flow, or dirty looking water.

When a well is in need of repairs, it is important to find a reputable contractor who is licensed and insured. Cutting corners on a well repair can cost you more in the long run. A well that is not properly repaired may not only be unusable, but it can also cause serious health issues for you and your family.

The best way to avoid well problems is to have your well inspected by a professional at least once a year. This will ensure that the water in your well is safe to drink and free from contaminants like bacteria, lead, nitrates and other pollutants. This will protect your well from contamination and help it last longer. A professional can also diagnose any mechanical problems that might be causing your well to stop working, such as water pump failures or issues and pipe leaks.

Pump

The pump is the heart of a well water system. It’s the part that pumps out your water, and when it starts to act up, it can be a huge pain in the neck. There are a lot of things that can cause problems with the pump, and you should always have any signs of issues checked by a professional.

If your well pump isn’t building pressure, it may mean that there’s a problem with the piping, the pressure switch, or something else. Your professional will check all the parts of your pump system to figure out why it’s not building pressure and fix any issues that they find.

Another common sign that the pump isn’t working correctly is if your water sputters or comes out cloudy. This could be a sign that the pump isn’t properly filtering out silt and sediment before sending it to the pressure tank. If you notice this, call a professional right away to avoid having to replace the entire well system.

When a well pump isn’t pumping water effectively, it can use more electricity than usual. This can increase your energy bills significantly. Another sign of a bad well pump is when there are frequent clicks in the air valve at the top of the tank. If you notice this, it’s likely time to get a new tank, since the old one is probably a mess inside.

If the pump isn’t working at all, it may be because of a bad circuit breaker or pressure switch. In some cases, you can reset the breaker or pressure switch to make it work again. You can also try to prime the pump by following the manufacturer’s instructions. If this doesn’t work, you’ll need to call a professional to replace the pump.

Pressure Switch

Well pump systems operate with a pressure switch that regulates the well water system by turning the well pump on when the tank pressure is too low and allowing the pump to turn off when the pressure reaches an acceptable level. If the pressure switch is malfunctioning, it may prevent your well pump from activating when the pressure reaches its cut-on point, resulting in low or no water pressure. If you think your well pressure switch is the problem, it’s best to hire a professional well service technician to troubleshoot and test it.

A pressure switch consists of a piston, bellows, Bourdon tube or diaphragm element that deforms proportionally to the fluid pressure. When the element deforms, it moves a set of switch contacts. The resulting movement of the contacts triggers an electrical switching signal, which is then transmitted to the well pump. The type of switch used is determined by the application. Electrical and mechanical switches are available, each with different features. For example, electrical pressure switches have adjustable cut-in and cut-out points. Mechanical switches have factory-set point settings and are more economical.

In addition to configurable cut-on and cut-off points, some mechanical and electrical pressure switches can be customized for specific applications. These customizations can include the setting of an adjustable deadband, a custom range spring, metric labeling, oxygen cleaning and other options.

A variety of problems can cause a pressure switch to fail. A common issue is short cycling, which occurs when the pressure switch turns on and off too frequently. This can be caused by a broken bladder in the pressure tank or worn-out switch contacts. Another possible problem is that the pressure switch is unable to reach its cut-on or cut-out points.

Some electrical and mechanical pressure switches can be modified on-site to change their programmable time delay, switching function, set point and hysteresis. Other electronic switches incorporate a strain gauge with additional proprietary electronics that amplify and convert the pressure sensor signals into a readable display. These types of switches typically provide higher repeatability and accuracy than mechanical pressure switches.