AFFORDABLE WELL PUMP REPAIR IN Punta Gorda, FL

What Are the Most Common Well Pump Repair Issues in Punta Gorda?

Punta Gorda is a city in Charlotte County, Florida, filled with many natural attractions, a beautifully restored historic district, and waterside shopping areas. Plus, with its vast royal palm trees lining the city’s streets, tourists and residents alike can take leisurely strolls through the gorgeous city locations such as the Fishermen’s Village on Charlotte Harbor or Harborwalk. 

Yet, although Punta Gorda is a fantastic location for families to settle down, it is still vital that residents here learn more about what it takes to keep their homes in good working condition, particularly when it comes to their well pumps. Understanding how these fixtures work and the signs that may indicate their well pump has a problem can help homeowners save a lot of money in the future. 

That is why some of the more common well pump issues that residents in Punta Gorda need to watch out for include the following:

Your Well Pump Is Blasting Air Out

If you turn on your kitchen faucet and feel a blast of water and air, it can indicate that you have an issue with your well pump. For instance, it can mean the water table has fallen, and the well pump is pulling in the air during the pump cycle. Or it can also mean that the drop pipe in your well pump is damaged. This specific pipe connects the pump to the top of the well and the water system, and if it breaks, cracks, or even corrodes, the pipe can let air get sucked into it, causing problems. For these reasons, if you feel air coming out of your pump, you need to contact a well pump repair specialist fast to ensure they investigate your problem properly. 

You Have Issues With Low Water Pressure

Another common issue with a broken well pump is low water pressure. This problem can arise for several reasons. However, some of the more common causes include your well pump having a stuck check valve, a leaking pressure tank, a partially closed gate, or a failing well pump. 

For these reasons, if you feel that your water pressure is dwindling, you need to reach out to a skilled well pump repair professional as soon as possible. If these problems are left unchecked, they can become costly issues. 

Expensive Water Bills

If you have a water pump filled with sand, silt, or even bacteria, it will have to work much harder than ever before. Yet, once this pump starts overworking itself, it will often lead to skyrocketing energy bills. 

Additionally, if the check valve in the well goes bad, it can also cause your energy bills to spike. This is often because this broken check valve will allow water from the pressure tank to stream back down into the well, not only reducing pressure but signaling to the pressure switch that it needs to turn on the pump again to pressurize the tank. Unfortunately, as this cycle of turning on and off continues, it will cause the well pump to run non-stop, resulting in a shockingly high energy bill. 

What Factors Cause Premature Well Pump Failure in Punta Gorda?

If you own a well pump in Punta Gorda, it is likely that you haven’t thought twice about it. In most cases, very few people do, unless it stops working or has some problem with it. Worse yet, when these well pumps break down, most owners have no idea what happened. Yet, although there are many reasons as to why these well pumps can break, some of the more common causes include the following:

The Home’s Water Quality

A home’s water quality can significantly affect the well pump’s efficiency and it can often cause it to fail prematurely if the quality of the water is lacking. This is because minerals in the water can clog up the pump and result in the pump wearing out. In addition, bacteria from the water can create a buildup that can clog the water pump’s mechanism and result in major issues. For these reasons, residents in Punta Gorda need to have the well liner checked often, as this can help protect their well pump against corrosion. 

The Age of the Pump

At one point or another, everything breaks down, including a well pump. In Punta Gorda, the average span of a high-quality and adequately installed pump is around 15 to 20 years, but anything after this point is a risk since parts have been known to start failing and breaking down after this period of time. 

Heavy Storms and Severe Lightning Strikes

Punta Gorda is known for its dangerous hurricanes, heavy downpours, and significant storms. Yet, when it comes to a well pump, homeowners must understand that the lightning strikes that accompany many of these horrific storms can also cause many issues. Many times if these pumps are struck by lightning, it can cause them to stop working. Generally, this happens because lightning can damage the motor or the other internal parts of the engine, and homeowners may not even realize there is a problem for days or weeks at a time. In addition, electrical lines can also be damaged from these lightning strikes and impact the well pump’s efficiency. 

That is why, after a storm, homeowners want to watch for signs that their well pump has sustained damage, such as their pump starting and then cutting off unexpectedly or throwing a breaker.

How Much Does Well Pump Repair Usually Cost in Punta Gorda?

In Punta Gorda, well pump repair averages around $800, but prices can get as high as $1,500 to $2,000 or as low as $170. That is why it is important for homeowners to understand what factors can influence these repair costs so that they can be better prepared to cover these extensive bills or shop for a contractor that can take care of their well pump problems at the best price. 

The Type of Pump You Have

There are numerous types of well pumps that homeowners can choose from and ultimately the type they have can affect the overall price of their repair. For instance, jet pumps are often cheaper to install, repair, and remove than many other types of pumps. Yet, it is important to point out that these pumps may not be the best option in the long run. In fact, submersible pumps can often save homeowners more money in the long run since they are self-priming, which can help homeowners save on upkeep costs. Yet, if you do have a self-priming pump, just know that the bills will often be significantly higher when it comes to repairing costs.

The Size of Your Pump

Another factor that will play a significant role in determining your well pump repair and replacement costs is your well pump’s depth and size. Generally, installing a well pump in shallow wells will require less work from well pump repair contractors than the deeper and broader well locations. However, this factor is often outside your control since shallow pumps, which are more affordable, are best suited for wells that are less than 25 feet deep, while deep pumps are often necessary for wells that are up to 150 feet in depth. Yet, purchasing and preparing these deep pumps will usually cost you more money. 

The Location of the Pump

Depending on the location of the well pump and its setup, you may end up paying more for the pump repairs. This is because if your well is buried, the well pump repair specialists will have to use particular tools and advanced techniques to first find the well before they can dig it up. Plus, if the well pump is located in this underground well, the contractors will have to dig it up from great depths, which can often be quite challenging, and as a result, lead to extensive bills. 

How to Avoid Costly Well Pump Repairs in Punta Gorda?

Taking care of a broken well pump in Punta Gorda can get expensive. Thankfully, you can do things to prevent these problems from creeping up on you and causing you to spend thousands of dollars in the process. For instance, consider:

Buying High-Quality Pumps

Even though you may have to spend more upfront, if you purchase a high-quality pump, it will often pay for itself down the road because it will result in fewer breakdowns, and as a result, fewer repairs. Yet, before you purchase just any pump, you need to do your research and ensure the pump is a good quality pump and that you install the right style and size for your well. Why? Because if your pump is too big, it may end up pulling sediments and sand from the aquifer, which can result in clogging motors and pump parts. If your pump is too small, it will have to work that much harder to keep up with the water demands in your home, which can cause faster wear and tear and increase the need for repairs. 

Watch For Warning Signs

As a homeowner, you need to recognize signs that something is wrong with your well pump so that you can take action fast and stop these problems from escalating into significant home renovation projects that can cost you a substantial amount of money to take care of.

When Do You Need Permits for Well Pump Repair in Punta Gorda?

In Punta Gorda, any homeowner or authorized agent who intends to construct, repair, demolish, move, or change a building or structure to install, enlarge, repair, convert, or replace any impact-resistant covering, gas, electrical, mechanical, or plumbing system, must first submit an application to the Building Official in the city and obtain a required permit. 

However, this does not mean that all well pump repair projects require a permit. That is why before you do any work on your well pump, make sure you contact the city to verify whether a permit is needed.