AFFORDABLE WELL PUMP REPAIR IN Venice, FL

What Are the Most Common Well Pump Repair Issues in Venice?

Most Florida residents get their water from groundwater, so knowing what well pump repair issues are common to Venice can ensure that residents are up-to-date on what to look out for. This is particularly important to know because your water supply is what keeps everything in your household running smoothly — including you and your family — from washing dishes and laundry to showering and drinking water, your water supply is a crucial part of your everyday life. 

With that being said, well pumps are a better water supply source than city water- as long as you keep up with maintenance and repairs. Since 20% of Florida residents get their water from smaller, limited-use public or private water systems, the more you know about it, the better. In Venice, FL, that means looking out for common well problems, including the following:

Well Water Contaminants 

While there are both naturally-caused and human-involved contaminants that can make their way into your well water and not cause any damage to it or you, that’s not always the case. Some contaminants can cause a lot of problems, and the United States Environmental Protection Agency names the following, in particular: 

• Microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, and parasites
• Nitrate and Nitrite
• Heavy metals
• Organic chemicals
• Radionuclides
• Fluoride

To identify these contaminants, it’s recommended that you look out for bad smells, cloudy water, and other abnormalities with your water. A professional is often required for accurate testing and will be able to discuss the best options for moving forward.

Old Pump: Wear and Tear

If a lot of time has passed by since you installed or replaced your well pump, there’s a higher chance of problems arising due to the age of your system. This is because everything has a shelf life, and as it gets older, there’s no avoiding problems — both minor and major. For this reason, most well pumps need to be replaced in 8 to 15 years, with more specific estimates depending on the system you have.

Signs that your well pump is faulty and should be inspected are:

• Spitting faucets
• Water pressure fluctuations
• Abnormal noises 
• Abnormally high electric utility bills
• Constantly running
• No water coming to the house
• Dirty water

If you have any of these problems, an expert can locate the problem quickly. There’s a good chance that it’s something smaller, but if it’s been longer than 15 years, it’s time for a new one.

Equipment Failure

Like with most things, your well system is made up of many moving parts that keep it up and running. If one of those moving parts fails to do what it’s supposed to, you could be looking at a halt in water coming into your home or maybe just a slow-down in the flow of your water. The outcomes depend largely on the extent of the problem at hand. 

In many cases, residents in Venice find that the problem is with one or more pieces of equipment that need to be repaired. Depending on the well pump you have, the equipment you’re having problems with could be one of the following:

• Priming plug
• Control/service valve
• Drain plug
• Pressure switch
• Well Seal
• Foot Valve
• Well Casing, and more.

Either way, fixing that one problem often brings things back to normal.

What Factors Cause Premature Well Pump Failure in Venice?

There’s nothing more frustrating than when your water pump system breaks down sooner than it’s supposed to. On average, you should be able to get somewhere from 8 to 15 years out of it, but there are common factors that can change that. Fortunately, if it isn’t as serious as an improper installation and you keep up with maintenance and repairs, your pump shouldn’t expire much sooner than expected.

The following factors are common causes of premature well pump failure in Venice.

Pump Running Cycles

What many residents don’t realize is that the amount of time your well pump is running can determine the lifespan of your system by a lot. This is especially problematic for residents who struggle with their pump running all the time and don’t fix the issue right away. The longer it runs, the less time there will be for water to fill back up, and similar problems to drought are likely to happen.

The recommended hours for running your well pump a day is about two and a half hours. As for cycles, we suggest two-minute on and off cycles. Fortunately, if you lose too much water, you can rely on it filling itself back up given it has had a good break. 

Droughts

It’s no secret droughts cause problems for just about anything that requires water to run. For your well pump, persistently dry weather can be disastrous because it causes your water level to drop below the submersible pump, causing you to lose water in the process. This then causes additional problems for the system because it’s not meant to run without a certain amount of water.

Your Motor

The size and quality of your motor will also make a significant difference in how long your water pump will last. This is because a motor made out of more durable material is obviously going to last much longer than a motor made with poorer quality material. Likewise, the size makes a difference also. Believe it or not, you don’t want to just go with the largest one or the cheapest one, but rather the one that’s the right size for your home and water needs. For obvious reasons, this differs from home to home.

How Much Does Well Pump Repair Usually Cost in Venice?

On average, residents in Venice, FL, report paying about $750 for well pump services, with some estimating as low as $150 and others going as high as $1,500. However, this doesn’t mean you should expect the same. In fact, how much you will pay for your well pump service depends on the following cost factors.

Your Well Pump’s Age

Believe it or not, how long you’ve had your well pump makes a big difference in what you could pay in final costs. This is because a much older well pump will likely require more work and repairs than a newer one. It is also more likely that it will need to be replaced by a newer model, which could cost you significantly more.

On the other hand, a newer well pump giving you problems could be a sign of faulty installation. You should discuss this with your professional if it’s the case to avoid more problems down the road.

Well Video Inspections

Depending on the problem at hand, you may be looking at a required well video inspection to identify and locate the problem. This is especially likely for residents who are worried about contaminants, rusting, or problems in piping. If the naked eye can’t see the problem, there’s a good chance your professional will need to do a video inspection. In this case, you may be looking at anywhere from $200 to $1,200 more on your bill.

General Contractor Fees

Average well pump repair costs don’t often include the general contractor fees you can expect to pay, depending on the professional you work with. This number can differ from company to company, but most residents report paying about $85 to $115 in fees. Be sure to discuss any additional charges that could occur with every potential contractor to ensure the one you choose is really the best option for your needs.

How To Avoid Costly Well Pump Repairs In Venice?

There’s no getting past the fact that you will have to pay some money to keep your well pump running smoothly for its entire lifespan. However, you can save yourself a lot of money by doing the following things:

• Know everything you can about your well — the more you know about your well (i.e., how to keep it up-to-date, signs of deterioration, when to get a repair versus replacement, etc.), the better positioned you will be to ensuring you’re never paying more than needed or extra for neglect.
• Test your water annually — testing your well regularly ensures that there are no contaminants in it that can hurt you, your family, or the integrity of your well. The Florida Department of Health offers “free drinking water well test kits and instructions on how to collect the water samples yourself. In some cases, our Environmental Health staff can come to your home and collect the samples for you, for a fee of $20-$60 per visit.”
• Pay attention to your electric bill — if you notice that your electric bill is abnormally high compared to other months, there’s a good chance you’re dealing with a repair or replacement that needs to be made. Paying attention to your electric bill allows you to identify the problem sooner and save on not only your monthly bill but any worsening damages that could result from long-term neglect. 

When Do You Need Permits For Well Pump Repair In Venice?

According to the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD), the only time you need a Well Construction Permit is when you are either constructing a new well, or repairing, modifying, or abandoning an existing one. You can expect to pay a fee to SFWMD for well construction, repair, or modification permits but do not have to pay a fee for a well abandonment permit. 

To fill in the required fields for the permit, SFWMD adds that you will need the following: 

• Your name and address.
• Your professional’s name, address, and Water Well Contractor license number.
• The location of the well.
• The intended use of the well water.
• The construction method that will be used to install the well.
• Your well’s diameter, casing material, casing depth, and estimated total depth.
• A site map showing the location of the well within the property boundaries.
• The water use permit (unless exempt) and the well number if the project has more than one well on-site.
• Your signature (or an authorized agent) and the licensed Water Well Contractor.