Pressure Tank Issues
What are the signs of a pressure tank failure?
The most common indicators of a failed pressure tank are:
- Visible leaks or excessive water in the tank vicinity that cannot be attributed to condensation.
- Internal failure of a captive air (bladder style) tank; symptoms are excessive starting & stopping of the well pump when water is being used.
How do I know if my pressure tank is waterlogged?
Waterlogging is a condition that occurs when the air-to-water ratio within the pressure tank is off balance. For a pressure tank to operate properly, there must be an air-to-water ratio within the tank of approximately 3 to 1 (3 parts air, 1 part water). When this ratio becomes primarily water with minimal air, the tank becomes increasingly inefficient, which results in waterlogging. (Too much water in the tank.) Waterlogging is evidenced by too many starts & stops on the pump motor when water is being used. For example, if the pump starts every time a toilet is flushed, it is likely that the tank is becoming waterlogged.
How long do well pressure tanks last?
The average life of a pressure tank is usually 10-15 years. There can be instances where tanks last more or less than the average.
Do you need a pressure tank for a well?
In almost all cases, some type of pressure tank is required to operate a well system. The size and type of the pressure tank can vary based on the type of system installed.
How do you recharge a bladder/captive air pressure tank?
If a bladder tank/captive air tank becomes waterlogged, it indicates that there is some type of internal failure occurring with that tank. In some cases, the tank can be drained & the correct air-to-water ratio re-established by pumping air into the pressure tank. Most captive air style tanks have a snifter valve near the top of the tank, which allows for the introduction of air back into the tank. In some cases, this is successful, but in other cases, the tank will not properly drain or accept air. In these cases, the pressure tank must be replaced to remedy the condition.
How much air pressure should be in a water pressure tank?
In an empty pressure tank (with no water inside it), the desired air pressure should be between 30-40 psi. Ideally, the air pressure in the tank should be approximately 3-4 psi less than the start-up pressure on the pressure switch/well system. (Normal start-up pressure is 30-40 psi.) Normal water pressure in a house is between 35 and 65 psi.
What is an air volume control valve?
This valve (AVC) is used on well systems where air is introduced into the pressure tank each time the pump in the well starts up. This type of system is not as commonly encountered as it used to be, but before the advent of captive air tanks, this type of system was commonly used. Since an AVC works in conjunction with the air charging system in the well, both facets must be present for this valve to work correctly. The purpose of the AVC is to release excess air from the tank in order to maintain the proper air-to-water ratio and keep the tank from becoming air bound. If the AVC fails, you will usually get either leakage onto the floor around the tank or air spurting through the hard water faucets in the house. In either case, the AVC should be replaced.
How does a captive air tank work?
A captive air/bladder tank works by implementing an “impermeable” barrier between the air and the water within the tank. This barrier maintains a constant supply of air in the tank by preventing the air from being absorbed into the water. This allows for maximum efficiency on the part of the tank and minimizes the need to replenish the air supply within the tank.
How does an air over water pressure tank work?
An air over water pressure tank works by either automatically introducing air into the tank each time the pump starts or manually pumping air into the tank approximately once every 12 months.
Well Pumps
How can you tell if your well pump is bad?
There are many symptoms that can indicate a failed well pump, but many of these symptoms can also be caused by other, more minor failures (i.e., switch or control box failures, wiring issues).
Possible signs of pump failure:
- No water pressure to faucets in the home.
- Pump runs for long periods of time and produces very little water.
- Excessive, unusual noise when the pump operates (motor vibration, bearing wear).
- An unusually high electric bill, which can be caused by excessive running of the pump to produce minimal water.
Water Pressure
What causes low water pressure in a house with a well?
Low pressure can be caused by numerous factors:
- Restrictions in the plumbing such as: plugged piping, plugged cartridge filters, restricted water softener, or an iron filter. In this case, water pressure at the pressure tank will be good, but pressure at the faucets (post-filtration) will be noticeably diminished. Gauges on well pump systems are not always accurate. If the gauge needle never moves while water is being used, it is likely that the gauge is defective. This can be confusing when doing home diagnostics.
- A faulty pumping system. The well pump may be in the process of failing/wearing out and unable to produce sufficient pressure to meet household demand. In this case, the water pressure at the tank will be low, as well as the pressure at the faucets.
- A hole in a pipe in the well or underground. A hole in the well pipe or water lateral can rob the system of pressure. The pump is pumping the correct amount of water, but much of it is being diverted to a leak in the delivery piping system. This may cause low pressure and possibly a cycling of the pump when no water is being used in the house.
- Loss of water in the well. In rare cases, the well itself may not have sufficient ability to produce the supply of water that is demanded in the house. In these instances, the well can temporarily run out of water, resulting in a loss of household pressure. This type of problem will normally require an expert evaluation and possibly a new well.
How do you fix low water pressure in a house with a well?
Because there are so many things that can cause low pressure, if the homeowner is unable to self-diagnose the problem, a reputable service technician should be called to do an on-site evaluation of the problem. It is important that the cause of the low pressure be correctly diagnosed so that costly repairs are not made in error.
Well Maintenance
How do you maintain a well?
Most people do nothing for their wells in the form of maintenance. As long as water is coming out of the faucets, most of us assume that everything is working fine with the well system. In most instances, this is true; however, it is recommended that every 12-24 months, the system be evaluated by a professional to ensure that small problems are attended to and that the system remains reliable. Attention to the visible components of the system by the homeowner is recommended. If anything out of the ordinary is noticed (low pressure, odor in the water, water leakage) the homeowner can address these issues proactively.
How often should you chlorinate your well?
Chlorinating a well can be very helpful in maintaining a safe and palatable water supply to your home. However, because chlorine is such a strong oxidizer, it can be both damaging and dangerous to your system. Most homeowners improperly chlorinate their wells, thus taking unnecessary risks and causing costly damage to their water systems.
What does chlorinating a well do?
Chlorinating the well can help improve the aesthetic quality of the water and help reduce the potential for the presence of harmful bacteria in the water.
Should I have my well tested?
Wells in Wisconsin are frequently required to be tested for certain contaminants when properties are sold and when certain types of well pump work are performed. These tests help to identify possible contaminants. Literally hundreds of contaminants have been identified as potentially being in water. Although it would be financially prohibitive to test for all possible contaminants, many people have their water tested periodically for coliform bacteria. If you notice any unusual odor, taste in the water, or any unexplained illnesses in the family, it would be recommended to have the water tested.
What happens if the buried water supply pipe (lateral) between my well and my house develops a leak
It is not uncommon for the buried water piping (lateral) between the well and the house to develop a leak. Such leaks cause the pump to cycle continuously and, in extreme cases, may cause flooding above the lateral or into the basement. Guthrie & Frey is fully equipped to perform any necessary repair or replacement of the lateral.
Water Quality Issues
How can you tell if your well water is bad?
The definitive way to tell is to have the water analyzed by a state-approved lab. However, if you notice an unusual taste or odor, testing is recommended.
Why am I getting sediment in my well water?
Well water naturally contains minerals, which can sometimes precipitate out of the water in a visual sediment-like manner. This type of sediment can frequently be expected, especially in hard, unfiltered water. If the sediment is more like sand or a “grit,” it is possibly part of the geologic formation that your well is drilled into. Minor amounts of this type of sediment are not unusual, but if excessive, this type of sediment can be very damaging.
How do you clear up cloudy well water?
Cloudy water can be caused by numerous things, such as the well formation into which your well is drilled and some types of filtration (iron curtain). If the well is drilled into a shale formation (soft, limestone-like material), cloudiness can be a very difficult problem to correct. In extreme cases, the well may need to be reconstructed in order to seal off the formation that is causing the cloudiness.
How do I make sure my well water is safe?
The best way to ensure water quality is to have the water routinely analyzed for suspected contaminants.
What can I do about coliform in my well water?
The normal treatment for coliform is the introduction of chlorine in a proper and safe manner into the well. There are several different methods of introducing chlorine into the water, starting with a simple chlorination (least expensive) and progressing into more aggressive and invasive approaches. In most cases, the coliform can be eliminated from a well using chlorine; however, in extreme cases, the well may need to be abandoned and a new well drilled.