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What Are the Most Common Well Pump Repair Issues in Pensacola?
There are a lot of components involved in getting water from your private well to your household faucets. One of the most important parts of any well is the pump. Unless the pump is working properly, you’ll be lucky to get a drop of water out of those faucets. Fortunately, well pumps are generally reliable as long as they receive regular maintenance.
If the pump in your Pensacola well starts having problems or stops working completely, consider these possible factors.
- Have you recently added an extra bathroom, laundry facilities, landscaping, irrigation, or livestock to your property? Increased water needs can put a strain on a pump that’s suddenly no longer able to handle those needs. Upgrading to a larger or more powerful pump may be necessary if your water needs are larger than they were previously.
- Has the weather been hotter or rainfall amounts lower than usual? Both can affect the depth of the water table. It’s possible that the current water table level is below your pump’s reach. This problem generally happens when wells aren’t drilled down to the bedrock beneath an aquifer. You may need to discuss the situation with a well professional to find out if your pump just needs to be lowered or you need a new, deeper well drilled.
- Is your well pump made of sturdy cast iron with stainless steel bearings or cheaper (and flimsier) aluminum? Not surprisingly, the quality of the build greatly affects the durability and lifespan of the pump.
- Is your well connected to a pressure tank? The tank reduces the number of times your well pump cycles on and off throughout the day. A pump that runs every time someone turns on a faucet or flushes the toilet will wear out faster than one that only runs when the pressure tank needs refilling. If your pressure tank is leaking or is full of sludge that needs to be cleaned out, it might cause your pump to run more than normal.
- Is there visible sand in your drinking water, especially after it sits for several hours? Sand can clog apertures in the pump. It also acts just like coarse-grit sandpaper as it grinds away at your pump’s working parts. Don’t underestimate the wear and tear that simple sand can cause to well pumps! Since Pensacola’s soil is very sandy, you may want to install additional sand protection in the form of extra screens, geotechnical fabric wrapped around the pump intake, and/or a filtration system. Be especially wary of sand after tropical storms, hurricanes, or flooding disturb the soil in the Pensacola area.
- How old is your pump? With good care, a well pump has an average life expectancy of around 8 to 10 years. Since a submersible pump stays cool because it’s placed under the water, it generally lasts up to 15 years. However, that depends upon the amount of sand in your water and the size and number of particles your particular submersible pump can handle. Good care of any type of well pump can often bump its expected lifespan up by a few years.
- Have you kept up with routine maintenance? Even newer, high-quality well pumps need regular maintenance to keep them working properly for an extended period of time. Neglecting that routine care will set your pump up for early failure.
What Factors Cause Premature Well Pump Failure in Pensacola?
Most good-quality well pumps in Pensacola will last for many years as long as they’re sized appropriately for the needs of the household. The pump shouldn’t be so small that it heats up as it struggles to pump enough water. It also shouldn’t be so powerful that it’s constantly stirring up the sand and sediment at the bottom of the well. Excess heat and friction or constant contact with grit and sludge are equally damaging to a well pump.
One of the largest factors in how long a well pump lasts is the maintenance it receives. Getting your well, pump, and pressure tank all inspected and serviced every year can significantly expand your well pump’s lifespan.
The cost of an annual well inspection and servicing is generally more than offset by the money you’ll save by avoiding repairs or replacement. Problems that aren’t caught and fixed quickly will eventually cause failure. A minor servicing need can turn into a catastrophic well failure due to simple neglect. This is especially true in Pensacola, where our sandy soil can grind away at your well pump’s working parts unseen unless you schedule regular inspections.
How Much Does Well Pump Repair Usually Cost in Pensacola?
Depending on the problem with the pump and whether it needs a repair or replacement, it can cost as little as $150 to as much as $1,300. According to the small business resource Manta, the average cost to replace a well pump in Pensacola is between $600 and $700.
Whether the Repair Is an Emergency
If your well pump repair can wait for normal business hours, it will generally cost less than a repair that’s needed immediately. Repairs that are done at night, on the weekend, or over a holiday are generally much more expensive. A severe lightning storm, flooding, or hurricane may affect drinking water wells across a wide swath of Pensacola. In that case, unexpected demand and the push to get wells repaired quickly may also drive up costs.
If it’s possible to wait for water, you could save a substantial amount of money. Of course, everyone’s household water needs are different and only you can decide if it’s worth waiting for a less expensive well pump repair.
What Parts Are Needed
The cost of parts needed to repair a well pump in Pensacola can range from as little as a few dollars for some new wiring to several hundred dollars to replace a worn-out well pump. Make sure the estimate you receive includes the cost of any parts before you authorize the repair.
How Long the Repair Takes
Some well pump repairs are relatively simple and may only take an hour or two. Others, like a complete replacement, could take a couple of full days. Since Pensacola well repair companies generally charge by the hour, get a complete estimate of the expected time and costs before you sign off on repairs.
How to Avoid Costly Well Pump Repairs in Pensacola?
Ignoring a necessary well pump repair can result in a more costly replacement of that pump. A faulty well pump can even result in the need to replace your entire well system if you ignore it long enough. Yes, it can cause that much damage!
Since it’s almost always less expensive to repair a well pump than to replace it, it makes sense to have your well pump inspected regularly. That way, you can catch any minor problems and get them fixed before they become a major issue. A Pensacola well professional can explain how often to have your system inspected and any problems to keep an eye out for between inspections.
If your well pump is near the end of its expected lifespan and is experiencing problems, it may be more cost-effective in the long run to replace it rather than repairing it. Discuss the potential for other short-term problems with your well professional and consider their advice on the best option — repair or replacement. They have the experience and expertise needed to predict how long you can expect your current pump to last.
When Do You Need Permits for Well Pump Repair in Pensacola?
Strict rules are in place in Florida to protect the state’s groundwater from pollution or other contamination. Protecting the state’s drinking water is vital to the health of anyone drinking that water. It’s also an important factor in preserving Florida’s natural environment and the wildlife that dwells in our lands and waters.
The state of Florida is divided into five Water Management Districts. Each district oversees the drilling and repair of wells in their designated area, although they often delegate some of their oversight authority to local County Health Departments (or similar agencies). Pensacola is located in the Northwest Florida Water Management District (NWFWMD).
The NWFWMD requires a well permit for any repair or modification to a water well of any kind in the Pensacola area.
