Common For Low Water Pressure On A Well

Solving Low Well Water Pressure

If you’re a new home owner with a well or a long term well owner, solving low water pressure on a water well system can be difficult. There are some causes of low water pressure are easy to fix, while others could require a professional plumber that specializes in wells. No matter the cause, low water pressure is not something a home owner should have to live with.

The term “water pressure” is used to describe the force behind the water that pushes it through the pipes in the home owner’s plumbing system. If the house uses city water, water pressure is controlled by the municipal water system, but for those homes with a private well, water pressure is controlled by settings on the individual well pump. This setting is measured by pounds per square inch (psi) and should fall somewhere between 40 psi and 60 psi.

Recognizing The Cause Of Low Pressure

You may notice water doesn’t flow from the faucet or showerhead as forcefully as you’d like. This symptom could be due to a drop in pressure. A drop in your water pressure can sometimes happen when there is an additional draw in water source. Examples of this would after building a home addition that includes an additional kitchen or bathroom, or installing an irrigation system. Drought and periods of heavy water usage could also be the cause.

Troubleshooting Low Water Pressure

If you notice your water pressure drops at one source when another faucet is turned on, perhaps installing a constant pressure system could remedy the problem. A constant pressure system can be installed in your main line where it enters the home usually in a crawl space or utility room. If it’s not obvious, a constant water pressure system keeps pressure the same as different faucets and appliances are being used, changing the speed of your water pump as demand increases or decreases. For most home owners, this is an affordable solution that can also help address water pressure issues for owners of condominiums on the upper floors of a building, or for homes where the well further away than normal from the home.

Homeowners may also be able to have a plumber adjust their pressure tank. These pressure tanks have gauges which tell the homeowner how much pressure is behind the water flowing through the plumbing. Basically if the pressure is reading below 40 psi then it needs to be adjusted up.

What’s the Difference Between Low Pressure and Low Flow?

Low flow and low volume sometimes get confused. What may seem like low water pressure is actually low water volume, this is where less water is making it through the pipes than had been flowing before. Understanding if you have problems with mineral sediment, hard water or iron in your water can help you solve this? The cause could simply be clogged pipes or a clogged well fittings from a buildup of sediment and minerals. Additionally this problem could stem from also being an improperly placed well pump. Sometimes if the pump is placed too close to the top of the well’s water surface, it can reduce water flow.

If water flow is the problem, adding water pressure will not help the problem in the long term and can even lead to water system damage or catastrophic failure due to pipes busting. It is important to rule these type situations out of deposits before taking any steps to increase pressure. That is why we advise our customers with water pressure issues to consult our plumbing professionals before taking action.

South End Plumbing specializes well water pumps, so remember, we are just a click away. We also specialize in leak detection – give us a call! South End Plumbing is one of the only companies that will give you a free estimate. Call us at 704-919-1722 or fill out the form online to schedule a visit.