AFFORDABLE WELL PUMP REPAIR IN New Smyrna Beach, FL

What Are the Most Common Well Pump Repair Issues in New Smyrna Beach?

Well pump repair in New Smyrna Beach is increasing as more people move here who are unfamiliar with maintaining them. Most of the common problems we see are preventable and some are the result of unfixed plumbing problems like leaks. Let’s go over some of the most common issues with well pumps in this area.

Contaminated Well Water

An issue that can occur in New Smyrna Beach is contaminated water. Most of the contaminants are from nitrates and bacteria that are naturally present in the water. The water supports all life, including microbes. As these microorganisms die, they start to decay, which can cause a bad taste or smell. This is because the water is not chemically treated when it gets to your well. 

Sometimes, there are high numbers of “bad” bacteria like E.coli in the well water. This bacteria typically comes from human or animal feces and can make people sick enough to be hospitalized. There are two main reasons for E.coli pollution in well water:

• Flooding – Storms and high tides increase the risk of flooding, which is already a common threat in New Smyrna Beach and other coastal areas. As floodwater sweeps over the land, it picks up animal waste from pets and wild animals. This water can make its way into the water supply. If the floodwater covered the casings, you should have your water tested before drinking it. 
• Septic System Failure – Many people that have private wells also have private septic systems. If you and all your neighbors have wells, at least one of you has a leaching field and septic tank. If the system fails, the waste can make its way into the water supply. This is why the State of Florida requires permitting and inspections of all private waste and well water systems. Any contaminated water needs to be reported to Florida’s Environmental Health Services.

Water testing is usually around $25 to $30 and well worth the money. So what happens if your water quality test shows E.coli? We can fix this problem by properly sanitizing the well. This will effectively kill the bacteria and your water will be safe to consume. If this is something that is keeping you up at night, we can install different water filtration and sanitizing systems for your house.

Cloudy Well Water

If you need well pump repair in New Smyrna Beach due to cloudy water, you are not alone. This is a very common issue for residents both on and off city water. Your raw well water comes straight from the Floridan Aquifer. It is not processed, chemically treated, or filtered before arriving at your tap. This means that the water is very hard. Hard water means that there are excess minerals like calcium, iron, and magnesium floating around in it. 

These minerals may leave a coating or residue on and inside of your plumbing. Over time, this residue builds up and corrodes the pipes. This can cause your well water to look, smell, and taste unpleasant. If this is more than you want to drink, you can install a water softener to remove these dissolved solids. 

High Energy Bill

If you have a substantially higher energy bill, you may need well pump repair in New Smyrna Beach. Most modern well pumps need electricity to work. Sometimes, when a well pump is working too hard for whatever reason, it will run non-stop. This can cost a lot of money on your utility bill. If this happens, we can come out and inspect your system to find the problem. 

Clicking Sounds

If you hear a clicking sound coming from your pressure tank, it may be an indication of an internal bladder tear. This sound is usually accompanied by low water pressure. If this occurs, you will need a well pump repair in New Smyrna Beach because you will need to replace the tank to restore water pressure. 

Low or No Water Pressure

There are a few reasons why your water pressure has slowed or, in some cases, stopped. Here are the more likely situations for these problems that cause well pump repair in New Smyrna Beach.

• Wrong Well Pump Size – If you decide to install a 5 gallon a minute pump, but your well only produces about 2 gallons a minute, you will run out of water. You will have to wait for the well to refill or get a smaller pump. A sensor cutoff switch should shut the pump off before it burns up.
• Older Well Pump – The age of the well can play a factor in water pressure. In some cases, no water at all. Your pump is designed to pull up water, leaving sediment and silt behind. The older your well is, the more sediment builds up. We see this a lot for well pump repair in New Smyrna Beach. 
• Tank Failure – Pressure tanks are meant to last a long time, but they can still fail. If there is a problem with the seals, amount of PSI, or internal bladder, it can result in water pressure problems. 

What Factors Cause Premature Well Pump Failure in New Smyrna Beach?

If you don’t get at least 5-10 good years out of your well pump, it could be considered a premature failure. There are several ways that your well pump can fail prematurely. Here are some of the more common reasons.

• Forgetting routine maintenance
• The wrong size well pump 
• Incorrect PSI in the pressure tank
• Failing to fix problems
• Leaks in the plumbing 
• Hard water corrosion 
• Power surges from storms

If you need well pump repair in New Smyrna Beach due to failure, we can help locate the problem to keep it from recurring. 

How Much Does Well Pump Repair Usually Cost in New Smyrna Beach?

If you want to know how much a well pump repair in New Smyrna Beach will set you back, it will depend on a few factors. Every well pump repair in New Smyrna Beach is a little different. Below, we will go over the more common cost factors that influence the price. Most well pump repairs will cost between $210 and $1,600, with an average of around $700.

Depth of Well Pump

In Florida, most private wells are dug between 100 and 400 feet deep to reach the deep aquifer. The depth of your well will influence the price for well pump repair in New Smyrna Beach. Some pumps, like submersibles, are at the bottom of the well, and in order to fix it, heavy equipment is needed to bring it up to the surface. This will include bringing the full length of the pipe with it, taking more time, and ultimately more money. 

Type of Well Pump

The technology of well pumps has come a long way. There are many modern kinds and they all have different price tags. Here are the most common pumps that we repair and replace most often in New Smyrna Beach. 

• Submersible Well Pumps – This type of well pump is submerged deep underwater. These can get pretty pricey but are more efficient. 
• Jet Well Pumps – Jet well pump repair in New Smyrna Beach will likely cost less because they are close to the surface, making them easier to reach.
• Solar Off-Grid Pumps – These pumps are becoming more popular. They keep your pump running without adding to your energy bill.
• Manual Hand Pumps – These are great in areas that are far from the house. If you live on a farm, you might want a pump near troughs or gardens.

Labor and Materials

If you need well pump repair in New Smyrna Beach, the labor and materials required to do the job will be a big cost factor. Some wells are older and deeper, making them harder to fix. If you have a submersible well pump at a depth of 400 feet, it will take heavy equipment and more time to bring it up for repairs. All this extra time, work, and equipment will cost you more. On the other hand, if you have a shallow jet well pump that is easy to reach, the repairs will be easier and cost less. 

How to Avoid Costly Well Pump Repairs in New Smyrna Beach?

You can do three main things to help prevent costly well pump repair in New Smyrna Beach. The first is to keep up with regular inspections and well water testing. This should be done once a year by professionals like us unless you have been having problems. For example, if you consistently have high bacteria levels, it would be better to have your water tested and possibly sanitized twice a year. 

The second way you can avoid costly repairs is to check your system for red flags routinely. This can be done once a month in about 20 minutes or less. Here are a few things you should pay attention to:

• Look for signs of leaks, like rust or pools of water. Sometimes the grass will grow fuller and greener above the buried pipes.
• Checking the PSI in your well pump pressure tank. Each tank is different and you can use a sharpie to write your tank’s PSI specifications.
• Listening for any clicking or unusual sounds. This includes turning on each faucet and listening for sputtering. 
• Look at your water through a clear glass. What color is it? Does it smell? Does the water come out cloudy and then turn clear?

The third thing you can do to help avoid costly well pump repair in New Smyrna Beach is to take care of problems that come up. If you wait to fix a leak, it could turn into a pipe burst. If you ignore a clicking sound from your pressure tank, you will probably lose water pressure and need to replace it. The longer you wait, the more damage could occur to your well water system. 

When Do You Need Permits for Well Pump Repair in New Smyrna Beach?

According to the St. Johns River Water Management District guidelines for water wells, Section 40C-3.041, no construction, repair, or abandonment of a well can begin without a permit. 

The application process can be a little intense. In some cases, the work will need to be inspected to make sure it is up to code. Just know that all of it is worth it. Water is our most precious resource. It needs to be protected, and that is why New Smyrna Beach and the state heavily regulate the process. If you need help understanding what step to take, we can help.