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Over the years, we’ve solved a lot of interesting and varied issues with well pumps here in Navarre, but there are definitely a few problems that stand out as being more common than others.
Many folks first notice problems with their pump when their pump runs all the time, even when no water is being used. This could be due to a number of different issues and there may be an easy fix for it. Usually, this boils down to an issue with the pump that can often be repaired. If, however, this issue isn’t identified and dealt with, constantly running can burn out the motor on your pump prematurely, which will require investment in a replacement.
Another common problem that we see is that people just can’t seem to get their pump to keep up steady water pressure. This one can be frightening for people because it could potentially indicate a problem with the well. Often, these problems have easy solutions, such as a system reset or adding a little depth to the well to account for a particularly low water table. We’re pretty familiar with all the issues that could cause low water pressure and can likely rule out the most serious of them pretty quickly.
Well pumps can fail for a variety of reasons, but if properly maintained and cared for, your pump should be able to last a significant portion of the life of your well. Here in Navarre, there are quite a few reasons that we see pumps fail prematurely, but there are definitely some issues that can contribute to this around here more frequently than others.
Hard Water
Groundwater from the Floridan Aquifer tends to be heavy in the amounts of dissolved minerals, which we refer to as hardness. These small particles of minerals aren’t easily removed through filtration but are entirely harmless for human consumption. Hard water can, however, cause some other problems to the infrastructure of your home including your well pump.
Most people associate hard water with the persistent soap scum that builds up in showers and baths or the limescale buildup that it can create around faucets and fittings. The effects of hard water can go far beyond these little inconveniences, though. The scale that develops around fixtures isn’t just there, but also throughout your entire plumbing system. This is caused by minerals slowly building up over time as they’re deposited by water, similar to the way stalactites and stalagmites are formed in caves. Once the scale begins to form, it will catch other minerals on the way by causing the deposit to grow larger.
This causes a buildup of scale not just around your fixtures, but also in pipe fittings, elbow joints, and even your well pump. Over time, this limescale will restrict water motion. No matter where your plumbing system is getting kinked by mineral buildup, it will cause your pump to work harder. Scale buildup within your pump could compromise mechanical parts quickly and potentially lead to a pump replacement years before it would otherwise be necessary.
The Floridan Aquifer supplies our wells here in the panhandle with water ranging from 140 ppm to 180 ppm total hardness, which is considered very hard. Water softening systems could potentially lower your exposure to scale within your pipes by removing most mineral content straight out of the well, but your pump will still be exposed to hard water. To avoid buildup getting too bad on your pump, regularly treat it with a descaling product. Scale buildup can be extremely hard to remove once it’s accumulated heavily, so regular upkeep is key to preserving the health of your well pump.
Flooding
Everyone here in Navarre knows how reliable our rain is. We have our rainy season throughout the summer months that make for heavier rains, but it doesn’t let up much throughout the rest of the year. Frequent and heavy rain and the resulting erosion to the soil and landscape can cause flooding pretty frequently around here. Flooding can be disastrous for your well for a number of reasons but, especially for those with non-submersible pumps, is definitely one of the most common problems for well pumps around here.
The water in your well is naturally filtered and protected by the deep Floridan Aquifer. When floodwaters get into your well, that means all the contaminants that come with groundwater, rivers, and human pollution can leak into your water. Your well should always be tested after a flood to ensure that your water is not contaminated. Your well pump should also be maintained and inspected by professionals like us after it is exposed to floodwaters.
Flooding could bring large amounts of dirt, leaves, trash, or other foreign objects into your well that could easily get lodged within your pump. Debris can regularly get lodged in fans on well pump units, which will diminish their effectiveness, so those should be inspected to see if anything has affected them that could cause long-term damage.
For those with non-submersible well pumps, flooding can often cause more complications if the pump ends up beneath floodwaters. While your pump is typically designed to deal with water and should be well sealed against any leaks, weak points like where a power cord connects to the pump housing or screw holes within the casing could eventually be worn down by the water. As most of us know, water and electricity do not mix, so this can be a serious detriment to the health of a pump. Keeping these pumps dry is the most reliable way to ensure they stay in good condition through the heavy rains.
If your pump is flooding, however, do not approach the well to deal with the issue yourself. Electricity is easily transmitted through water, and it’s better to risk damage to your pump than to risk your safety. Prepare for flooding ahead of time, but if your well pump is flooding, the safest thing to do at that moment is to disconnect power to the pump.
Well pump repair isn’t typically as costly as repairs to your actual well, but still can cover a wide range of costs depending on a few different factors. These variables could determine whether your particular well pump repair will cost between $100 and $1,000 in most cases, with an average of around $700.
Extent of the Damage
Without knowing what’s wrong with your pump, it’s tough to say exactly how much it will cost. Simple issues may have simple fixes that can be easy, quick, and cheap. More extensive damage to your pump, however, could require a lot of time to fix, potentially needing replacement components or even replacement of the unit. Until we actually know what’s going on, it’s tough to narrow down the price range.
Type of Pump
There are two main types of well pumps in Florida. These are shallow-well jet pumps and submersible pumps. Submersible well pumps go all the way down to your water level and pump up, whereas shallow jet pumps often have a pump at ground level that then pumps water up through plumbing in the well. Submersible pumps are often much more complex designs, so they may be more difficult to repair. They are also much harder to access since they are down in the well, which could also make for a more involved, and thus more costly, repair job.
Materials
Like any contractor, we can’t make materials just appear out of anywhere. Until we get in and get our hands dirty with your pump, it’s likely that we won’t definitively know the extent of the repairs and what materials are needed. The parts we need for your repairs will definitely add at least a small amount to your costs, and more extensive jobs could increase the price of repairs more significantly.
Your well is your home’s source of drinking water and should be properly maintained to ensure it can continually provide water for decades to come. While unexpected problems may arise, there are a few routine steps you can take to give yourself the best chance of needing costly well pump repairs in the future.
Regular Well and Well Pump Maintenance
A well pump could run for as much as 15 years with moderate water usage, but like any piece of machinery, it won’t last nearly as long as it should without maintenance and care. A routine check for maintenance issues on your pump each year could catch potentially fatal issues early on, when they’re still easily repairable.
Your well should be inspected and tested at least once a year for contaminants, cleanliness, and structural integrity to verify the health of your water source, but many fail to include a quick check on a well pump during these inspections. Keeping up with both your regular well and well pump maintenance is essential to identifying problems early on, while there’s still time to act before repairs become more costly. We’re happy to help with ongoing maintenance on your equipment.
Motor and Fan Cleaning
The cooling fans on your well pump can get congested easily. Well pumps already function in areas without great air exchange, and overheating can be detrimental to the long-term health of your well pump. Cobwebs, dirt, leaves, or other debris can easily clog up cooling fans on your well pump. While this may not make them fail right away, frequent overheating will lessen your well pump’s efficiency and could eventually cause it to fail. Calling us regularly to clean out fans can extend the life of your pump significantly, especially during times when it’s likely to be clogged, such as after a storm or a period of high winds.
Identify Drips
Water is a persistent and powerful force, and often will be your first indicator that there’s a problem in any plumbing system. Dripping water, either out of your pump or anywhere else in your system, indicates that your plumbing is no longer a closed system and that your pump is working much harder than it should. Leaks can often have a simple solution, such as just tightening a connector, but could also be a sign of much bigger issues and need to be addressed right away. Water under pressure puts continual force on your system, so small leaks can quickly turn into large leaks which could lead to costly flooding.
If any part of your system is leaking, pressure is escaping from your plumbing. This means that your pump is working overtime to keep water flowing through your home. Even small leaks can cause a lot of extra strain for a pump over time. Dealing with any leaks that pop up is the best way to make sure your well pump stays healthy for its entire lifespan.
For pump repair, no permits will be required here in Navarre. While permits will be required for repairs, construction, or plugging of private wells, the pump is not considered legally part of the well and so, can be serviced without a permit. For any repairs on wells, only water well contractors licensed by the state of Florida like us will be able to apply for a permit if you need work done on your well in addition to the pump.
