Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Well Pump Repair Issues in Wake Forest?
- 2 What Factors Cause Premature Well Pump Failure in Wake Forest?
- 3 How Much Does Well Pump Repair Usually Cost in Wake Forest?
- 4 How to Avoid Costly Well Pump Repairs in Wake Forest?
- 5 When Do You Need Permits for Well Pump Repair in Wake Forest?
What Are the Most Common Well Pump Repair Issues in Wake Forest?
Keeping your well pump up-to-date and working properly is extremely important. After all, it is needed to get your daily intake of drinking water, showering, laundry, dishes washed, and more. Unlike Wake Forest’s City water that mostly comes from the Falls Lake Reservoir and is treated at the E.M. Johnson Water Treatment Plant in northern Wake County and Dempsey E. Benton Water Treatment Plant in southwest Wake County, well water isn’t sourced from run-off or surfaced water, but rather groundwater.
While it tastes healthier and more fresh from not being overloaded with chemicals, well pumps are still susceptible to common repair issues and require regular care and maintenance. To ensure their efficiency in use, you must keep a lookout for the following well pump repair issues common to Wake Forest and fix the damage as soon as possible.
Sputtering Water
If you notice that when you turn on your shower or faucets, the water is ‘sputtering’ out, then it’s likely that you have a problem with air in your system. This problem can arise under two circumstances: your pump is malfunctioning, or there’s a crack in the pipe above your pump. Either way, you’ll want to address this problem immediately to avoid any further damage.
No Water Coming Into The House
There’s nothing more frustrating than needing to get the daily tasks of your day completed and being held back by the lack of water in your household. When you notice there is no water coming into your home, there’s a good chance the problem is as little as a tripped circuit that shuts off and needs to be turned back on.
On the other hand, if that doesn’t work, it’s your well or pump. In this case, it could be that you’re using too much water and drawing down the water table, or there’s a drought in the area that’s making it difficult to replenish. In either case, reduced usage will help it get back to normal — with drought circumstances making it take longer.
Bad Quality Water
Some other common issues are with water quality. Sometimes, residents will notice a cloudy appearance in their well water, often meaning the water pressure in the glass is less than the water pressure in your pipes, or there are air bubbles. If this is the case, it’s harmless. On the other hand, it could also mean things like silt, rust, and dirt have made their way into your water — which should be quickly corrected as it is unsafe.
Another quality problem with some well pumps in Wake Forest is taste. If you notice the taste or smell of your well water is off, the problem could be with your pipes if they’re corroding, but oftentimes it is your water. It’s not uncommon for silt, bacteria, and other things to seep into your water supply and make it taste bad. While it’s not always dangerous, it would be best to get a Well Water Testing to ensure there’s nothing harmful in there.
What Factors Cause Premature Well Pump Failure in Wake Forest?
On average, you can typically expect your well pump to last anywhere from 8 to 15 years, depending on the type and model you have. The most important thing you can do is keep up with regular maintenance and repairs to ensure it lasts as long as it’s supposed to (and if you’re proactive, you may even enjoy it a little longer!).
Nonetheless, you should be aware that there are a few factors that will undoubtedly cause premature well pump failure.
Droughts
Since North Carolina is always susceptible to drought, it isn’t uncommon for many residents to notice a shortened lifespan in their well pumps. Unfortunately, it’s unavoidable, although droughts don’t happen enough in Wake Forest to affect your well pumps’ lifespan too terribly. The problem with droughts in the area is that in persistently dry weather conditions, your well pumps are vulnerable to water loss when the water level drops under the submersible pump.
How Often the Pump Runs a Day
Another factor that may cause your well pump to expire sooner than expected is if it’s running more often than not throughout the day. This is because it can cause it to overheat, damaging pump parts like seals, impellers, and plastic piping. On average, your well pump should only run about 2 and a half hours, with 2-minute on and off cycles. However, the specific times depend largely on your pump model.
Motor Size and Quality
The lifespan of your well pump also depends on the quality and size of your motor. For obvious reasons, a motor with better quality will outlast one that was made with less durability. In the same sense, motor size also makes a difference because a larger motor with 1 horsepower will certainly outlast a smaller horsepower motor when taking on the same workload for your household.
How Much Does Well Pump Repair Usually Cost in Wake Forest?
On average, residents in Wake Forest report paying around $730 for a standard well pump repair service, with minimum costs hitting as low as $150 and as high as $1,400. While this range is a great estimate of what you expect to pay for a repair in the area, it is not representative of your needs completely.
How much you pay for your service depends largely on the three following cost factors.
Age and Condition of Your Pump
The age and condition of your well pump is a major cost factor to consider because it plays a big role in the need for a replacement. While you could be only looking at about $700 or so for a standard repair, if your well pump is too old or in bad condition, you could actually be looking at as much as $2,500 for a replacement.
Additional Services: Water Quality Testing
When considering your final cost, you will also want to consider any additional services you may be interested in. For instance, the City of Wake Forest recommends that residents with well water get their water tested at least every five years, including tests for Coliform Bacteria, Inorganics, Volatile Organic Compounds, and Pesticides if it has never been done before or has been longer than five years. Samples collected by Wake County staff can cost about $175 in addition to a $50 trip fee.
Well Video Inspections
Another cost factor worth considering is if you need well video inspections. This is typically conducted for residents interested in checking on areas that aren’t visible to the naked eye and can cost anywhere from $250 to $1,200. It is recommended to do this at least once a year to ensure your entire well system is in working order and free of any harmful substances or damage.
How to Avoid Costly Well Pump Repairs in Wake Forest?
There are a few very important ways to avoid costly well pump repairs in Wake Forest, and the following will help you save as much as you can while preserving the life of your well pump:
- Knowledge is power — the more you know about well pumps and how to take care of them, the better. While we have all the up-to-date and accurate information you need to know about well pump repairs, Wake County’s Educational Resources for Private Well Users page is a great place to reference if you have any other questions or concerns. It also includes access to an informative and free Private Well Class you can take for additional training.
- Proper well maintenance — keeping up with regular well pump repairs, replacements, and maintenance will go a long way in avoiding costly repairs. Believe it or not, many cases begin with a small repair that could cost you $100 to take care of but goes unchecked for too long and leads to thousands of dollars in problems.
- Increased electric utility bill — many Wake Forest residents don’t realize how much money they could be saving if they paid closer attention to the changes in their electric bill. There have been many cases where electric bills have gone up significantly because a well pump is constantly running when it isn’t supposed to. Fixing this problem can save you a lot of money on your bill in the long run and protect your well pump from a shortened lifespan and overheating.
When Do You Need Permits for Well Pump Repair in Wake Forest?
Not only is it required for Wake Forest residents to receive a permit and approval for adding a well pump to newly constructed homes, but you must also acquire permission for well repairs and well abandonment. This can include inspections, approved locations, special requirements like water testing, and more.
According to Wake County, the process of getting a permit to repair a well includes the following:
- Wake County staff will review the information you have submitted on the Permit Portal.
- A construction authorization will be issued to you, usually within a day or two of your application.
- Keep a lookout for an email notification confirming it has been issued. It will also include your permit number and a link to the Permit Portal.
- After authorization has been issued, you may schedule your well repair inspection by calling 919-856-7400.
It should also be noted that there is a fee for a New Well Permit ($400) and for Approved Use of Existing Well for New Construction ($125), but there is no fee for a Well Repair Permit and Well Abandonment Permit.
