Plumber Tips: Commons Signs Your Deep Well Water Pump May Be Malfunctioning | San Antonio, TX
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Some people have well water because they don’t have access to city hookups whereas other people prefer well water because it is not chemically treated. Regardless of the reason, you may have well water in San Antonio, TX, there are still issues that can arise. Deep well waters are a complicated system, despite the seemingly easy process. It is not uncommon for people to have trouble with their wells and find themselves in need of a plumber.
Learning how to spot problems with your deepwater well before it becomes an emergency is a much better way to preserve the lifespan of your well and minimize major issues. The following are a few of the most common well problems that plumbers see in Texas and a general guide to when it is time to call out a professional. Scheduled visits are always preferable to emergencies that leave you without access to water for days.
Water Is Not Coming Out Your Faucet
Most people panic when they turn on a water faucet and water does not come out. Their first thought is the well has gone dry, but in reality, this is actually not a likely situation. If you have a true deep well it is not likely to run out of water, so before panicking take a look at some common solutions.
Many times if water is not running out of your faucets it is because a circuit tripped in the breaker box. If the circuit trips then the well pump will stop operating which means no water will run out. Run downstairs and check your breaker box before getting too worried. If you flip the breaker and the water starts running again the problem is solved. (Unless it keeps tripping at which point you may need an electrician and a plumber to analyze why the circuit is getting overloaded so frequently).
Another reason why you have a shortage of water may be tied to your local water table. San Antonio summers can be long and dry, which can result in the water falling below where your pump is set. Sometimes decreasing how much water you use for a few days can help get the water back to its normal operating levels. However, if the issue persists or you start noticing this problem frequently it may be time to talk to your local plumber about lowering the pump.
Foul-Tasting Water
Your water should not taste foul, but if you notice that it has a distinct flavor to it that is not amenable it might be time to call a plumber. Sometimes water that smells or tastes bad can be linked to corroded pipes which can only be fixed by replacing the pipes. However, more often this happens as the quality of soil changes around the well. In addition, natural bacteria in the soil may start seeping into your water changing the taste.
Most of the time this is harmless, although its certainty can affect the way you feel about showering or drinking the water from our well. Therefore, if you notice that the water is changing in smell or water it is time to call out a professional who can test the quality of your water to determine if more needs to be done.
Water Starts to Look Hazy
Cloudy or muddy looking water is common when you have a water table that is slowly sinking. As the well table sinks the pump is forced to pull water out of the shallow areas, which results in it pulling out some sand and silt as well. On the other hand, cloudy water may mean that the pump is not filtering out debris as it pulls out water as effectively as it should be. Keep a close eye on the situation. If it only occurs for a day or two and then clears up it may just be the water table was low briefly, however, if it becomes a continual issue it is time to call a San Antonio, TX plumber because wear and tear if your pump is failing, can end up being costly. It is definitely a problem that you want to keep ahead of for the best results.
Utility Bills Jump Up
If you notice that your utility bills are starting to jump up and you have a reasonable explanation, it may be time to have a plumber take a close look at your pump. The well pump should only run as needed, but if it’s malfunctioning or there is an issue with the pressure switch it may be running all of the time. In addition, if the water in your well is getting low then you may be paying high energy bills when in reality the pump simply needs to be lowered.
You don’t want to pay high electric bills when lowering the pump or replacing a part may be all that is necessary to get back on track. A professional plumber can come to assess the situation and at the very least eliminate the well as the cause of high utility bills.
Spitting Water
Ideally, water should be flowing out your plumbing. If it is not then this is a sign that air is getting into your plumbing system. There are a lot of ways that air can get into your system including but not limited to broken pumps, water pipe cracks, or issues with the pump in general. A professional can pull the well and get to the bottom of the issue quickly.
If you notice these or any other signs that have you concerned about your well it is time to call in a plumber to get help. bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of San Antonio is an expert plumbing service that would be happy to come out to your home to inspect your well. We help customers get back on track daily, and would be happy to inspect your well so you once again have a reliable water source.
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