Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Well Pump Repair Issues in Saint Petersburg?
- 2 What Factors Cause Premature Well Pump Failure in Saint Petersburg?
- 3 How Much Does Well Pump Repair Usually Cost in Saint Petersburg?
- 4 How to Avoid Costly Well Pump Repairs in Saint Petersburg?
- 5 When Do You Need Permits for Well Pump Repair in Saint Petersburg?
What Are the Most Common Well Pump Repair Issues in Saint Petersburg?
Some of us may take our well pumps for granted. You turn on the faucet and water comes out. That is all that matters, right? But what if something goes wrong and the water stops coming out? Now, that is cause for concern. Our pump repair specialists recommend you have your water pump checked on an annual basis. Pump repairs are not all that uncommon. Some issues here in Saint Petersburg are pretty common around the rest of the country. Some other issues are more relative to our climate and weather.
Check the Power and Well Tank Gauge
One of the most common issues with a well pump not working is simply that it does not have power. Check your circuit breaker first. Turn it off and on. Your pump likely has a reset button. Try it as well. Also, check for spiders or ants inside the pump casing. Sometimes a web or ant infestation can interfere with the power.
You can check your well tank pressure gauge. It should measure at least 40 PSI. It can get stuck or damaged and need repair. A change in pressure can also be your filter which can get clogged and need to be changed. These can be fixed by our plumbers, but other issues can be even more serious.
Lightning
Lightning storms are not uncommon in Saint Petersburg. And lightning has been known to strike a well pump. You may not know it until your water stops flowing a few days later. Whenever your pump stops working it is time to call our experienced plumbers.
Hurricanes
As hurricanes build up momentum off the western Florida coastline, here in Saint Petersburg we get prepared. And while we may escape the brunt of any given hurricane from the Gulf, Tampa Bay may still accumulate more water than usual, and Saint Petersburg may see a significant storm surge with it. A hurricane can cause structural damage to a well and its pump. It can also contaminate your drinking water.
After a hurricane, even if there was not any local flooding, you should inspect your well pump before turning it back on. If you cannot get our plumber out for an immediate inspection, do a little investigating yourself. Look for cracks in the well casing and well cap. Make sure no electrical wires are laying in the water. If you believe your well is flooded, do not turn the power back on! Not only could it damage the pump it could electrocute you as well. It is best to wait for our plumber to come out and check. We can also check for any possible water contamination while we’re on site.
What Factors Cause Premature Well Pump Failure in Saint Petersburg?
A premature well pump failure can be due to a variety of factors. General wear and tear, age, equipment problems, well drying up, and water quality can all play into a failure.
Age
A good, high-quality pump should, when installed properly, provide you with water for 15 years or longer depending upon the type of pump. If it lasts more than 15 years, great! But, do you want to continue to gamble with it and have it go out at the worst possible time? At that age, you should consider replacing it. It has served you well. Having it replaced on your schedule will eliminate an emergency call and added expense.
Pump Wear and Tear
While some well pumps last up to 15 years, their life depends, in part, upon the construction. Some pumps are made with PVC instead of steel casing. PVC has a higher chance of failure due to cracking or breaking. Soil high in sediment like that in Saint Petersburg can also cause PVC to degrade. Do not expect a pump made with PVC to last as long as one with a steel casing.
Equipment Problems
A pump has many working parts and something could go wrong with any one of them causing it to fail. For example, a submersible pump has a check value, well cap, a pitless adaptor, a control box with electrical wiring with system projection cut-off switches, and other fittings. When something goes wrong with any of these, your well could fail.
Dry Well
Most people don’t consider Florida at risk of running out of water. While we are surrounded by salt water, even in Saint Petersburg, there can be a threat of drought. In fact, Saint Petersburg is often in a water caution area as described by the Southwest Florida Water Management District. Water conservation restrictions include limitations of watering twice per week, year-round in the city. This includes private irrigation wells. Private well owners are asked to register online or by calling in, to assist with accurate reporting.
During times of drought, the aquifers, those underground water supplies, can run low or dry. That lessens the recharge rate or eliminates it altogether. Your well could also run dry. It depends a lot on how deep your well is dug. A Saint Petersburg well should be at least 200-feet deep. If you continue to ask your well for water when there is none, you will burn the pump out as it has nothing to pump. If drought and a shallow well are of concern, consider having a professional install a low-water cutoff switch that will prevent the pump from burning out.
Water Quality
If your water is contaminated with a lot of minerals and sand, as it can often be in Florida’s sandy soil, it can clog the pump and erode your well. Bacteria can also create a mechanical clog. When you have your well checked annually, ask our technician to check the well liner too. A good liner offers the best defense against corrosion.
How Much Does Well Pump Repair Usually Cost in Saint Petersburg?
You can keep the costs of pump repairs down by taking good care of your pump and having it inspected annually. Only call upon plumbers who are professionally trained and licensed in well pump repair like us. Our plumbers are licensed by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.
The average cost of pump repair is between $170 to $1,400. That is quite a variation in potential cost, but a simple repair with no materials needed may keep the cost quite low, whereas materials and other factors can drive the cost up. Some of those factors include the size or depth of your well, the type of pump you have, and the amount of time it takes to perform repairs.
Well Depth
Most wells in Saint Petersburg run between 100 and 400 feet deep to reach the deep aquifer, although some are even deeper. A well of at least 200 feet in depth is recommended to avoid running dry in Saint Petersburg. The depth of a well can dictate the type of pump required.
A submersible pump, installed inside the well itself, pushes water to the surface. A deep-water jet pump, or a double drop pump, is located outside of the well but close to it. It works with the motor forming suction through a pipe and pulling water up.
Type of Pump
Repairing or replacing a shallow-well pump will cost less than that for a deeper well. A jet pump is often used in a shallow well, while a submersible pump is recommended for a deeper well. While a new pump could cost between $900 and $2,500, servicing one regularly will cost quite a bit less, which is a good reason annual inspection and service are recommended.
Labor for Repair
You can expect to pay between $50 and $150 as an initial service fee for our plumber to come out and inspect your well pump. A minor repair such as unclogging a suction device or replacing a cracked hose may be included in that price with an additional material cost for the hose. But you can expect additional labor fees, by the hour, if there is a lengthy repair. Under some circumstances, it may be best to simply replace the pump.
How to Avoid Costly Well Pump Repairs in Saint Petersburg?
The life expectancy of a well pump is between eight and 15 years, although there are factors that can shorten that lifespan. The need for replacing a well pump prematurely will cost a lot more than taking proper care of the one you have. It is also the best way to avoid costly repairs. You should have a routine checkup of your pump annually. Beyond that, pay attention to some common indicators that something could be going array:
- Higher than usual electric bills can be caused by a water pump that recycles frequently or runs constantly. This can be due to problems with the pump or the well. A broken pipe can also be the cause.
- Water pressure fluctuations are not normal during regular usage. They can cause a pump to overwork and burn out much more quickly. Look for the problem causing those fluctuations.
- Spitting water faucets reveal excess air in the pipes, which can be due to a tank bladder failure. This can cause the pump to work overtime with added wear and tear on it.
- Unusual tank sounds including rapid clicking usually mean that your well pump is short cycling or turning off and on too rapidly. This can be due to a loss of water pressure in the tank and will take its toll on the pump quickly if not taken care of.
When Do You Need Permits for Well Pump Repair in Saint Petersburg?
According to Pinellas County, a general well pump repair does not require a permit. However, if the pump is to be moved or if there is a change in the energy source for the pump, this could require a permit. Our plumbers will be aware of any requirements of the county or the city.
