Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Well Pump Repair Issues in Toms River?
- 2 What Factors Cause Premature Well Pump Failure in Toms River?
- 3 How Much Does Well Pump Repair Usually Cost in Toms River?
- 4 How to Avoid Costly Well Pump Repairs in Toms River?
- 5 When Do You Need Permits for Well Pump Repair in Toms River?
What Are the Most Common Well Pump Repair Issues in Toms River?
Having your own well gives you a few advantages over using the municipal water supply in Toms River, especially the lower monthly costs of having fresh, clean water easily accessible in your home. Well pumps are the heart of your well system, supplying the power needed to get the water to the inside of your home or water tank.
As a part of the well that’s working daily, the pump is prone to breakdowns. It can be hard to know if your well pump is broken or if another part of your water system is not working properly. That’s why it’s crucial to call in our professionals to inspect your system at the first sign of trouble. Putting off repairs will allow the issue to escalate, often resulting in costly repairs and replacements. Below are some of the most common problems that can affect your well pump in Toms River:
Odd Noises Coming From Your Pump
Most homeowners like the well pump to operate unnoticed in the background. Though you don’t need to listen to your well pump every day, pay attention to it periodically. New or changing sounds can signal an imminent problem. In addition to new sounds, you might notice a change in the pitch or vibration of the pump.
For instance, you might hear a ticking noise – this ticking can indicate that a bearing or impeller is rubbing up against other parts of the pump’s workings. If you hear a gurgling or hissing noise, you might have a failing bladder tank. A failing pressure switch can also cause your well pump to make noise. That’s because the electric motor is forced to turn on and off more often – the noise you hear is a strained motor trying to turn on. If you hear any noise from your pump, contact our professionals as soon as possible.
Sputtering Faucets
A sputtering faucet or showerhead indicates that air bubbles are improperly getting into the water flow. It is likely caused by a leak in the well pump drop pipe (the pipe that connects the pump to the top of the well and the water system). Drop pipes are made of either iron pipe or plastic PVC, or poly pipe. They may become broken or corroded and develop cracks or even, in some instances, break apart, allowing for air to be sucked in. The worst-case scenario is that your water table has dropped to the point at or below the well pump, and the pump is drawing in the air during the pump cycle. Regardless of the cause, a sputtering faucet needs to be looked into and repaired by our skilled well pump professionals.
Low Water Pressure
This is another common symptom of a malfunctioning water well pump in Toms River. If you are experiencing low water pressure or no water at all, it could be because of a failing well pump, stuck check valve, partially closed or bad gate/ball valve, and leaking/failing pressure tank. In some cases, metals from the area’s hard water or bacteria clog up the pipe nipple leading to the pressure switch causing the pressure switch to sense pressure incorrectly.
The Well Is Pumping Sand or Large Amounts of Sediment
If you start observing discoloration or sand in the water, it may indicate an issue with the water pump. This means that your water pump is not properly filtering out foreign debris. Typically, the well pump is installed, so it is at least 10 – 20 feet above the bottom of the well. When the pump turns on, the water level in the well can drop to a lower level. If the pump is down near the bottom of the well, sand and sediment can be sucked in. Other causes for sediment in the water can be that the well screen has become degraded and allows sand or sediment in from the gravel pack around the well screen.
Well Pump Running Constantly
If you can hear your well pump running around the clock, it may be having trouble drawing water from the well to the point where it fills up the pressure tank. This constant running can cause the well pump to burn out prematurely. You will also notice a higher electricity bill. Give our trusted well water system pros a call so they can diagnose the issue and get your pump up and running.
Hot Shower Temperatures
A hot shower is supposed to feel good, but when your well pump isn’t working as intended, cranking up the hot water may end up producing dangerously high temperatures. This is because the faucet cannot dilute the hot water with cooler water as quickly when the pump is failing.
What Factors Cause Premature Well Pump Failure in Toms River?
When properly taken care of, a submersible well pump can have a long life of up to 15 years, while the above-ground jet pumps that are more commonly used with shallow wells in Toms River have an average life span of 10 years. However, several factors can cause a premature well pump failure in Toms River, including:
- Equipment problems: This is the most common cause of well pump failure. There are many working parts to a well pump system that could cause a pump to stop working and the failure of one component can cause the entire system to fail.
- Water sediment – Excessive sediment concentrations in the local well water can be brought about by inadequate initial well development, absence of a well screen in a loose rock formation, oversized screen openings, or well screen corrosion. The groundwater in the area is naturally hard, so even without these problems, you may experience hard water deposits. The sediment in the water can cause significant wear to the pump assembly by acting as an abrasive that slowly damages the pump’s bearings and other components. Dirt, hard water minerals, small stones, or other debris can reduce water flow or cause the pump to stop working altogether. Perform sediment tests once a year, or call our specialists if you see excessive bits of rock and debris in your water.
- Water tank material – Unlined steel tanks can get corroded pretty quickly, especially if they’re in a damp environment like a basement, as most are. Internal bladder-type water tanks are the best choice, as they hold the water separate from the air in the tank’s bladder.
- Malfunctioning well pump pressure switch: Like any mechanical part, your well pump pressure switch can wear out and malfunction over time. A malfunctioning switch can cause the pump to run too often or too long and potentially burn out the motor. In addition, if the switch allows the pressure to go too high, it can put excess stress on the tank and pipes, potentially causing them to crack or even burst.
- Cracking or leaking pipes: A waterlogged well tank, a broken pressure switch, and cracked or leaky pipes can all have the same effect on your well pump. If your pump is trying to pump water into a pressurized tank, and the pipes leading to that tank are compromised, your pump has to work harder. Putting too much stress on your pump can shorten its lifespan.
How Much Does Well Pump Repair Usually Cost in Toms River?
While it may be tempting to DIY your well pump repair, it’s a job best left to our well pump professionals. For example, a submersible pump needs to be pulled up a long way from your well, and once it’s up, you may not be too sure what you’re going to do with it. Someone trained in water pump technology will be able to repair or recognize the time has come for a replacement. Even above-ground jet pumps contain several components that aren’t easy to troubleshoot without training and experience. In Toms River, the average well pump repairs cost is $612, with a typical range between $130 and $1,153 depending on several factors such as:
Well Size and Pump Type
One of the most significant factors in your well pump repair cost will be the size of your well and the type of your well pump. If it is a shallow well less than 100′ deep, the pump can often be removed from the well by hand, but deeper wells will require a pump rig to remove the submersible well pump from the well. The use of this equipment can add to the cost of well pump repairs.
Location of the Well Pump
Access to your well pump site is critical and plays a significant role in your overall repair cost. If the well is located in a muddy field, you don’t know the location of the well, or if fences or buildings block or cover access to the well pump, additional time and expense will be incurred locating the well and creating proper access.
Cost of Replacement Parts
The materials required for the repair also affect the overall price. For example, common repairs such as replacing the pressure switch will cost you $150, while replacing the submersible electric cable, internal pump valves, or bearings can cost you $200.
How to Avoid Costly Well Pump Repairs in Toms River?
Although well pump repairs are inevitable over time, you can maintain an efficient and reliable pump system for years to come. There are three simple ways to avoid burning out your pump and avoid expensive repairs:
- Ensure your well pump and pressure tank are the right size: A water pump should be sized for your home’s water use. The pump size is determined by the size of your plumbing system, like how many faucets there are and how many appliances use water. Your pressure tank should also be sized to your home’s water use to take some of the work off the water pump. By having the pressure tank hold a significant amount of water, there is less wear and tear on the well pump because it doesn’t have to cycle on and off as often. A pump called on to pump water just a few times a day will work significantly longer than a pump that cycles on and off several times a day.
- Regular maintenance of your well water system: As with anything else, catching an issue early prevents it from growing and becoming more complicated. Preventative maintenance, or at least vigilance, can save you time and money in repairs. Scheduling regular well pump system maintenance with our professionals will ensure that any potential issue is caught and resolved early on. Our well pump inspectors can identify problems, like a corroded pressure switch, issues with air pressure, water leaks, or low water levels before a severe breakdown occurs. You can also keep an eye on your well system in between inspections. If you have a jet pump system, it’ll be located mostly above-ground. You can visually inspect the pump to ensure the seals and oil bearings appear to be in good repair. Look around the storage tank for leaks or rust. With a submersible pump, you’re obviously limited in what areas you can visually inspect. However, you likely have the pressure tank located in your basement, or somewhere else you can access. Check the seals and look for leaks or rust around the pressure tank.
- Install check valves and low water cutoff: Although most well pumps have built-in check valves, we recommend that a check valve be installed in the discharge line within 25 feet of the pump and below the draw-down level of the water supply. For deep wells, check valves should be installed every 250 feet. Installing an additional check valve at the topside of your well or along the well pipe can reduce the load on your water pump’s internal valve and extend water pump life. Also, having a low water cutoff installed can protect your well pump motor against overheating if the water level drops.
When Do You Need Permits for Well Pump Repair in Toms River?
Typically, you need to apply for a permit if you plan to make any considerable change to your well system or plumbing system in Toms River. This includes well pump repair and helps to ensure adequate protection of your home’s water supply and that of the Township of Toms River.
