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What Are the Most Common Well Pump Repair Issues in Milton?
Well pumps are built to last a long time. Some have even been known to run reliably for 40 plus years. However, each pump has a lot of components, and if one of them wears out or breaks, you will be without water. If you need well pump repair in Milton, it’s likely because you are experiencing one of these common issues.
Contaminated Water
Water ties us all together. It’s necessary for the survival of all life on the planet. It is also a fragile and finite resource. This is why the State of Florida has such strong regulations surrounding all groundwater and freshwater supplies. Private wells in Milton pull their water from the sand and gravel aquifer, which is the primary source of water for Santa Rosa County and most of the Western Panhandle in Florida.
The water going to your well is not treated with chemicals the way city water is and that means it will have higher levels of microorganisms. Some of these can be bad for your health, like E.coli. According to the Florida Department of Health, residents should have their well water tested annually. The CDC takes it a step further, recommending testing twice a year if anyone in the house has gastrointestinal issues.
Electrical Problems
If your water is not coming out of the tap, you might want to check the power supply. We often get called out to homes for well pump repair in Milton because there is no power to the system. Most modern pumps work on electricity. We see this a lot after big storms sweep through here, especially if they cause power outages. A circuit breaker can be tripped, even if the lights only flicker.
Sometimes you can troubleshoot this problem yourself by checking your breaker box. If you see a switch (usually double) labeled “well pump”, check to see if it’s where it should be. If it does not line up, you can try pushing it back. If this does not fix the problem, you may need a well pump repair in Milton. Sometimes, the issue will be a more in-depth electrical problem.
Cloudy or Dirty Water
The way that your water smells, tastes, and looks are important. We have an internal instinct to stay clear of water that looks gross. The quality of your water is also essential to your health. Over the years, we have heard from many homeowners who have had water quality concerns about their wells. Here are some signs to watch out for and what you can do about it. If you have any of these issues, you will need a well pump repair in Milton.
- Cloudy Water – The water here in Milton is naturally very hard. Most often, cloudy water is harmless and it’s caused by excessive minerals in the water. These minerals can be corrosive to your plumbing, causing damage. The minerals are usually manganese, iron, calcium, and magnesium.
- Dirty Water – You will need a well pump repair in Milton if sediment and silt get into the water. Your pump is designed to filter all of this debris out, so if you have dirty water, your pump has silt and sediment inside. This will cause your pump to work harder and wear out sooner. Dirty water can also follow flooding in Florida, which leaves debris in your well that needs to be removed.
- Foul Smell – The aquifer you’re getting your water from is natural and it supports all forms of life. As mentioned above, this includes microorganisms. As they decay, they can become smelly. If this is your problem right now, we can clean and sanitize the well.
- Bad Taste – There are four main reasons for lousy tasting well water; high bacteria, nitrates, sulfur, and minerals. If you frequently have bad-tasting water, you may need to consider adding filtration or reverse osmosis to your private water system.
Wrong Size Well Pump
Having the right size well pump is important. Unfortunately, we see a lot of people using a smaller pump than what they need. The main reason this happens is that over time, the family or household size increases. This causes water demand to go up, but water output from the pump stays the same. Over time, the added pressure on the system can cause failure and the pump will need to be replaced. A couple of signs that this is your problem are an abnormally high energy bill and your pump is constantly running.
Leaky or Broken Pipe
If you notice that the grass is greener and lusher above the area where your pipes connect from the well to the house, you may have a leak. Not only can this affect the amount of water you get when you turn on the faucet, but leaks can also harm your well pump.
Leaks are a common issue requiring well pump repair in Milton and they can happen without much warning. The hard water from the aquifer leaves a mineral residue on the inside of the pipes. Over time, the pipes begin to corrode, causing breaks and leaks.
What Factors Cause Premature Well Pump Failure in Milton?
It can be very frustrating when a well pump prematurely fails. This usually occurs at the worst possible moment, with little notice. Making matters worse, one of the main reasons for premature failure is due to these human errors.
- Ignoring Red Flags – If you see anything that looks off, don’t ignore it. Instead, question it, google it, or ask us. We have seen just about everything. The problem won’t fix itself. It will only get worse over time.
- Forgetting Routine Maintenance – You should be getting professional testing and inspection done at least once a year. Twice a year if you have consistent issues or concerns.
- Wrong Well Pump – You really need to have the right pump for your household needs. If you think you might have a bigger family or more people using the system in the future, plan for it now. Otherwise, you will need well pump repair in Milton to upgrade to a larger size, costing more money.
How Much Does Well Pump Repair Usually Cost in Milton?
How much is well pump repair in Milton, Florida? To answer that, we would need a lot more information. There are many factors that can influence the cost and each job is a little different. We can tell you that most past well pump repairs in this area were between $153 to $1,450. Here are the common factors that will change the price you pay.
How Deep Is the Well Pump?
The depth of the well pump matters because it will determine how hard the job will be. Some wells in this area are over 400 feet in depth to reach down to the aquifer. It will take a lot of work and equipment to bring the pump up to the surface to work on. In general, the deeper it is, the more expensive well pump repair in Milton will be.
What Type Of Well Pump Do You Have?
When it comes to well pumps, there are many different types. Technology has come a long way in the past few decades. The type that you have will influence the price of well pump repair in Milton. Here are the pumps we see and install the most.
Submersible – This type of well pump is submerged deep underwater. These are more pricey, popular, efficient, and they last longer. A submersible well pump repair in Milton will range between $210 and $1,350.
Jet Well Pumps – Jet well pump repair in Milton will cost less. The average price range is about $115 to $980. These cost less because the pumps are closer to the water surface. Therefore, they are much easier to reach, repair, or replace.
How Old Is Your Well Pump?
The cost of well pump repair in Milton can cost more if you have an older model. Depending on the situation and the age, parts might be harder to find. If we need a special part or have one made, it could get expensive. If this situation comes up, you may need to decide if a new model will cost you less than continuing to fix the one you have.
How to Avoid Costly Well Pump Repairs in Milton?
A good way to help avoid a costly well pump repair in Milton is to keep up with regular maintenance. This includes getting an annual inspection and water quality testing by our experts. It also includes doing a little work yourself. Choose a date every month to look at these components of your system:
- Checking the PSI in your well pump pressure tank
- Checking for signs of leaky pipes from well to house
- Listening for any clicking or unusual sounds
- Looking at your water through a clear glass
If anything seems like a red flag to you, trust your instinct and give us a call. The longer you wait to get help, the more costly the repairs can become.
When Do You Need Permits for Well Pump Repair in Milton?
If you need well pump repair in Milton, you will need to go through the Northwest Florida Department of Environmental Protection. They are the ones that handle permitting and approval. They require a permit before any work on private wells can begin and you will need to sign that you acknowledge and accept the regulations. There are three main reasons why the county issues permits for well pump repairs in Milton; they want to ensure all work is done by a licensed professional, they want to protect the safety of residents, and they want to prevent environmental contamination.
