Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Well Pump Repair Issues in Saint Augustine?
- 2 What Factors Cause Premature Well Pump Failure in Saint Augustine?
- 3 How Much Does Well Pump Repair Usually Cost in Saint Augustine?
- 4 How to Avoid Costly Well Pump Repairs in Saint Augustine?
- 5 When Do You Need Permits for Well Pump Repair in Saint Augustine?
What Are the Most Common Well Pump Repair Issues in Saint Augustine?
St. Augustine has hard water. It is not only the hardest water in Florida but also in most of the country. You can quickly tell by the white, flaky debris left on fixtures, appliances, and even dishes. Most of this flaky debris is caused by calcium carbonate. Calcium carbonate is a chemical compound found in limestone and other types of rock. Calcium carbonate and other minerals dissolve in the water, only to solidify later in the parts of your pump where they cause trouble. It can take a few months or several years for hard water to affect your well pump, but rest assured, it will happen. Although a tiny bit can be good for your body, it’s no good at all for your well, your well pump, or appliances.
Our hard water situation causes a plethora of common problems for plumbing equipment. What does this mean for your well pump? There are a few issues that you could deal with if you live in St. Augustine. They include:
- Murky Water. When you see murky or cloudy water, your pump is failing. It is unable to filter out the silt before pumping the water to the surface. To test it, run water in a white or clear container. You should be able to see through it. If you can’t, you need to evaluate your well.
- No Water. No water flow usually means you’ve lost power to the well, the pressure switch or controller has failed, or the well is dry. If you’ve checked your power sources and still have no water, it’s most likely a pump failure.
- Sputtering Water. If you’re experiencing sputtering in your water line, it typically means there is air in your system. The pipes or your tank’s bladder has most likely failed. You will need to replace the tank soon.
- Higher Electric Bills. If your pump is constantly running or cycling frequently, it’s probably an indicator of further issues. The pump is likely not building enough pressure if the drop pipe leaks it. A bladder issue is another possibility. It can also be an indicator of a broken water line between the well and your home.
What Factors Cause Premature Well Pump Failure in Saint Augustine?
Well pumps typically last between 15 and 20 years, depending on the type of system and level of water hardness. Everything has a limit of serviceableness, but many factors cause a well pump to fail prematurely. These can include:
- Poor Water Quality. The water quality in St. Augustine can affect your well pump. Minerals, such as calcium, calcite, and gypsum clog pumps in just a few months. Excessive clogging causes it to burn out fast. Bacteria that produce slimy buildup and corrosion may also cause the pump to clog.
- Lightning. When lightning strikes close to your home, it can negatively affect your electronics, including your well pump. The problems can be instantaneous, or it may take a day or two for your pump to stop working correctly.
- Drought. Here in St. Augustine, we suffer from flooding a lot. But if you live in an area where water shortages are common, it can cause your well pump problems. The risk increases if you continue to try using water because the pump will work harder to provide it. To protect against this, have a low water cutoff switch installed. The well pump will not run if the water is below a certain point with the switch installed.
- Tank Issues. All well pumps have a holding tank. It can be underground or in the basement. If the holding tank is too small for your family’s needs, it will have to work harder, which ages it faster. If the bladder is malfunctioning or broken, the pump will work harder as well. The harder the pump has to work, the faster it will burn out.
Most of these problems are caused by over-pumping. The CDC suggests you have your well pump checked annually by a professional like us for this reason.
How Much Does Well Pump Repair Usually Cost in Saint Augustine?
The typical price for well pump repair in St. Augustine is between $160.00 and $1,302.00. Most homeowners end up spending around $680.00, though it depends on the specific issues causing repair. Prices are typically quoted by the foot.
Depth of the Well
Water wells in Florida can be drilled to 1,000 feet, but the most common depths are 400 to 600 feet in Saint Augustine. The water level at any given place in Florida can change daily, which can impact how deep your well will be. Keep in mind that the deeper your well and pump are, the more expensive it may be to repair.
Type of Well Pump
There are four types of well pumps:
- Jet pumps
- Solar pumps
- Submersible pumps
- Hand pumps
Many people use a jet pump, which is aboveground, especially if they can’t dig very far in their yard. Submersible pumps are an option if you have deep groundwater pools. They are safest for deep, private wells. You can also find well pumps specific for shallow wells. Solar pumps are another option. They are convenient for lower your electric bill.
Cost of Labor
Labor costs can vary when installing and maintaining well pumps. The amount of digging and what has to be dug through are significant factors. The larger the job, the more cost in labor and any parts or equipment that may be required for us to complete your job. Deeper wells with lots of rocks and roots cost more to excavate. The labor costs also increase or decrease based on circumstances. A well-planned project will be less costly than something that comes up suddenly and requires immediate attention.
How to Avoid Costly Well Pump Repairs in Saint Augustine?
There aren’t a lot of preventative measures to preserving your water well pump. However, there are a few things you can do to keep the hounds at bay.
- At least once a month, just have a look at your well pump site. Jet pump systems are easy to evaluate since they are above ground, but if your pump is submerged, you can still look for rust, water leakage, or worn parts. Make sure the cap and cover are on tightly and there is no apparent damage.
- Schedule an inspection with our team at least once a year. You may be able to catch any issues before they become insurmountable.
- Listen occasionally for noises coming from your well that could indicate parts are rubbing together, like ticking or scraping sounds. Hissing noises can mean the bladder is failing. The sound of your tank engaging on and off when everyone is sleeping or when no one is home may indicate issues with your well pump and tank losing pressure.
With some patience and determination, you can keep your well pump and pressure tank in good health and working for decades.
When Do You Need Permits for Well Pump Repair in Saint Augustine?
In Florida, you need a permit to construct a well, but not to repair small components of the pump or pressure tank. A licensed Florida well water contractor like us must apply for the permit. Permits of any kind are typically required for anything that affects the environment. In the case of well pumps, permits ensure that well water is tested and that the water going into your home is safe.
St. Augustine and other south Florida cities, such as San Mateo and Palm Coast, require permits for:
- New, test, and monitor wells
- Major repair or modification of an existing well
- Abandonment of a well
- Test holes intended to be converted to water well
A consumptive water use permit (WUP) is required if the well is being used for any purpose other than for a single-family home or duplex with one well or firefighting wells. All applications for permits must be accompanied by the fee, which is as follows:
- Well construction permit – $100
