Well Repair in Fort Wayne
Homeowners experiencing problems with a deep-water well on their property in Fort Wayne, IN, can have a hard time determining the cause of the issue themselves. The systems that make a well operate are far from sight and difficult to access without the proper training and equipment.
Even if a homeowner cannot pinpoint the exact root of a problem, being able to communicate the exact effects they’re noticing can lead professionals like the ones at Summers Plumbing Heating and Cooling to what the problem is. With a better idea of what might be going on with a well, professionals can come better prepared to address the problem.
Keep reading to learn about common well-related problems, their causes, and what the professionals at Summers Plumbing Heating and Cooling can do to help get water flowing again.
Lack of Water
If you go to fill a glass of water or take a shower and no water comes out when you open the faucet, there are two issues that might be to blame. Thankfully, the first possibility is very easy to remedy on your own. Usually, having no water flowing means that the circuit breaker for the well’s pump has tripped, meaning that resetting the breaker should fix the problem right away. If the breaker hasn’t been tripped but water isn’t flowing, then the culprit is a more challenging one to fix: the good pump itself.
In seasons when more water gets used in a home like the spring and summer, the water table in a well can lower to a point that the water table falls below the reach of the pump. The same problem can arise to a more severe extent if the area is experiencing a prolonged drought.
Homeowners can sometimes help water levels recover by reducing water usage for a few days, allowing the water table to rise back within the reach of the well pump. Water levels also rise naturally in the winter and early spring.
If the water level is not rising, the suggested fix is to add piping to the pump system, allowing the pump to be lowered further into the well until it is submerged again. This solution is fairly cost-effective and does not take long to implement. However, there is a possibility that it won’t be enough if water levels have fallen severely. In the event that the pump hits the bottom of a well and still isn’t fully submerged, a new well will need to be dug.
Water Sputtering
If water is sputtering as it comes out of faucets and taps, this usually signals that air has entered the piping system through a crack in the pipes or in the pump itself. Technicians will work to pull the well and find the crack so it can be repaired.
Murky Water
If the clarity of your water has dropped, whether steadily or suddenly, it’s a sign that the water table in a well is low. As the pump pulls shallow water, it usually brings sediment like silt and dirt up along with the water. Malfunctioning pumps can also cause this problem. Sediments can do a lot of damage to a home’s plumbing and water fixtures, so this is an issue that warrants an immediate call to a plumbing professional.
Higher Utility Bills
Well, pumps rely on electricity to operate. If a pump isn’t working correctly or efficiently, it will draw more power than usual, raising your utility bill high beyond what it usually is. Professionals will examine the good pump and pressure switch, as these are the two components most likely to contribute to a pricey electricity bill.
Strange Odor and Taste
Unlike water from municipal plants, well water is exposed to environmental factors like silt, sand, bacteria, and even waste that can negatively affect the taste, smell, and appearance of a home’s tap water. If contaminants are present in tap water, they can cause everything from the inconvenience of bad taste to more serious health problems. Plumbing professionals can help determine where in a system the contaminants are entering the water as well as how dangerous the contaminants are.
If you notice issues that point to potential contamination, it’s best to drink bottled or filtered water until testing can be completed.
Pressure Switch Concerns
Pressure switches detect the water levels in a home’s storage tank and help determine when new water needs to be pumped into the tank from the well. If the sensors on the pressure switch are dirty, the switch will not operate properly, causing either more or less water than necessary to be brought up.
Inadequate Pump
If you notice issues with water pressure or inadequate amounts of water, the pump in your well may be too small to handle water demands in your home. The technicians at Summers Plumbing Heating and Cooling have years of experience working on homes of various sizes and will be able to determine if a larger pump is the answer to your problems.
Local Well Repair Services
Summers Plumbing Heating and Cooling have been serving homes in Fort Wayne, IN, and the surrounding community for over fifty years. Our technicians have the experience and training required to quickly and correctly diagnose and treat issues with wells.
