Have you turned on the taps and noticed that your water is trickling out more and more slowly? If you have well water and are struggling with low water pressure, there can be many culprits. Finding the cause will help you address the issue and get a faster and stronger water flow.
What Counts As Low Well Water Pressure?
Technically speaking, low pressure is usually pressure that falls below 45 pounds per square inch. However, you don’t have to have specialized measuring tools to see whether or not your well is having a pressure issue. Most homeowners can notice a problem because they’ll realize their water feels different. In some cases, your water might be noticeably slower to come out of the faucet. Some other signs include:
- Appliances that take too long to refill
- A shower that feels too weak and inefficient
- Dirty dishes coming out of your dishwasher
- Showerheads that have drips instead of streams of water
- One fixture that stops working when another is running
Common Causes of Low Well Water Pressure
If you have well water and are dealing with a pressure issue, make sure to check for these common signs of low well pressure.
A Clogged Filter
It’s common for well owners to have filters to remove the sediment in naturally occurring water. If you don’t change the filter on a regular schedule, it will gradually get clogged. Less water will be able to flow through as debris builds up on the filter, and you’ll end up with less pressure overall. This is a fairly easy problem to address since you can often just get the filter changed and see if the pressure improves.
A Failing Well Pump
Unfortunately, a pressure issue can sometimes be caused by poor pump performance. If the pump that moves water from your well to your house starts to fail, you won’t get enough water to provide enough pressure. A failing well pump gets worse and worse with time, so you’ll notice that your pressure keeps dropping and dropping. Some other signs to look out for include a pump that turns on and off constantly, strange grinding noises, or air sputtering from your faucets. Sometimes, this is an easy problem to fix, but sometimes it can require you to replace your entire pump.
Pressure Tank Problems
Most well systems include a pressure tank that is supposed to store your water and maintain an even pressure regardless of what cycle your pump is on. If your tank is leaking, undersized, or has a bladder malfunction, you’ll end up with pressure issues in your home. If your pressure tank is the culprit, you’ll notice that your pressure comes and goes in frequent bursts.
A Broken Pressure Switch
Another potential cause of issues is your pressure switch. This is essentially a small sensor that helps to regulate pressure throughout your home. However, it’s easy for it to get bumped or break down. When this happens, the switch might be telling your well that you actually want low pressure. Your well could be fully capable of providing your desired pressure, but if the switch isn’t set correctly, you’ll have poor pressure. Some homeowners are able to solve this problem simply by getting their switch cleaned, maintained, and reset.
Corrosion or Mineral Buildup Inside Your Pipes
Not all pressure issues are due to the well itself. In some cases, you might have low water pressure because of buildup inside your pipes. Over time, minerals can harden inside your pipes or corrode the interior of your pipes. This clogs up your pipes, so less water gets through the system. If you have buildup, you might also notice discolored water coming from faucets or certain areas of your home with lower pressure. Depending on the cause of the clog, you might be able to fix it by cleaning your pipes, or you might need to replace some sections of your plumbing.
Partially Closed Water Valves
Your home’s plumbing system will have several valves regulating flow between your well and your fixtures. If these valves are accidentally closed, your pressure can drop. This is especially common if your water was shut off for recent work around the house. Taking the time to check your main shut-off valve and the valves at each plumbing fixture can quickly solve some pressure issues.
Low Well Yield
Unfortunately, sometimes there isn’t a quick fix for low pressure. In the worst-case scenario, low pressure can be caused by a low well yield. If there isn’t enough water available in your well, you won’t have enough pressure no matter what your pump or your pipes are doing. Low well yield is especially common during times of drought or the summer months. Often, the only way to truly fix the problem is to wait for your water table to recover. However, you can also mitigate the issue by installing a water pressure tank or adding low-flow fixtures to your home.
How to Fix Low Well Water Pressure
No matter the reason for your low pressure, Benjamin Franklin of Daytona can help. Our team provides expert well pump service throughout the Daytona area. From broken well pumps to clogged filters, we can identify the problem and recommend ways to fix it. In addition to our plumbing expertise, Daytona residents love us for our friendly and fast service. We know you’re busy, so we make sure we work with your schedule. If there’s any delay, it’s YOU we pay. Call or message Daytona Benjamin Franklin now to schedule your well service visit.
