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What Are the Most Common Well Pump Repair Issues in Spicewood?
You don’t usually think about your well pump until it stops working. You have no water to take a shower or make your cup of coffee. In many cases, well pump problems are related to electrical or mechanical failures. It’s a good idea to call in our professionals if you’re experiencing any of these issues. Our experts will be able to recognize the problem and provide an appropriate solution. These are the most common well pump repair issues in Spicewood:
No Water
This is the most common well pump repair issue in Spicewood. You turn on a sink faucet and nothing comes out. One possible cause of this is a tripped circuit breaker that shuts off power to the pump. If you flip the breaker on again, and everything seems to work okay, luck is on your side. But generally, no water means well pump problems.
Fluctuations in Water Pressure
There are several reasons you may experience changes in water pressure throughout your Spicewood home, but the most common one is a well pump malfunction. Well pumps run on electric motors, so if the motor fails, you’ll notice a difference in your water pressure. If you are experiencing a water pressure problem, try manually closing the pressure control switch. Doing so should turn the pump on. If the pump doesn’t turn on, then the problem is with the pump itself and you should call your well pump service company to check your well pump. Our experts can diagnose the problem and get your system up and running again as quickly as possible.
Spitting Faucets and Strange Well Pump Noises
If your faucets are spitting water, it could be a sign of a damaged well pump. When the well pump is damaged, it cannot properly pull water out of the well and send it into your home. If the water pump appears operational, check for breaks in the water pipe above the well. A hole in the water pipe adds unnecessary air to the system, causing water to sputter out of the faucets.
Strange noises from your well pump are also another common issue in Spicewood. When you hear strange noises coming from your well pump, it is a sign the pump is beginning to fail. A bearing may be wearing out, or another moving part may be wearing poorly.
Water Pump Cycles On and Off Constantly
This occurs when there is a lack of air in the well pump system – the pressure tank is waterlogged. Well pumps should run at least a minute, so if the running time is less, it is a short cycle. Leaks in the pipes can certainly cause the well pump to run constantly. The most likely cause of a well pump that’s continuously cycling is a malfunctioning check valve. The valve is supposed to stop water from flowing back into the well from the pressure tank, and when it stops functioning properly, the water goes back into the well, which causes the pressure switch to turn the pump on constantly.
What Factors Cause Premature Well Pump Failure in Spicewood?
Your home’s water system is made up of two critical components: the well pump and the pressure tank. The well pump draws the water from the well near your home; the pressure tank provides storage for the water and regulates your home’s water pressure. Well pump failure can be caused by either the tank or the pump, and sometimes both. While it can be challenging to diagnose a problem without the help of our professionals, there are some common causes of well pump failure in Spicewood, including:
- Age: A high-quality and properly installed well pump has an average lifespan of 15-20 years. However, depending on the construction of the well pump, it can fail much sooner than that. Corrosion can affect pump efficiency, increasing the need for more frequent maintenance and more downtime, and if left unresolved, it can lead to failure.
- Water quality: A well pump can also prematurely fail if you have poor water quality. Like most of Texas, Spicewood has hard water that, while not harmful to your health, can wreak havoc on your well pump. Spicewood relies on wells fed by water from both the lake and the aquifer below the town, which contain dissolved minerals such as calcium and magnesium. These minerals can clog up the pump and cause it to burn out. Bacteria can also build up a slime that can also clog up the pump mechanics.
- Lightning strike: Summer storms in Spicewood bring lightning strikes. Lightning strikes can damage the motor or other internal parts of the motor, which sometimes won’t show for days or even weeks later. Electrical lines may have been damaged and are slowly impacting the pump. Some signs your well pump got struck by lightning include a pump starting and then cutting off unexpectedly or throwing a breaker.
- Dry well: Though we get an average of 34 inches of rain per year, drought is not unusual in Spicewood. Periods of drought can cause your well to run dry. If you continue to try to run the faucets, it will cause the well pump to pull the water, causing it to overheat or burn out. Consider installing a low water cutoff switch – it will sense when the water is low and prevent the well pump from burning out and failing.
- Size of the well tank: Having the correct size of pressure tank for your house is vital to the long life of your water pump. This is a holding tank for the water that the well pump has pumped into your home and is often located in your home’s basement. If your well tank is too small for the demands of your family’s needs, it can cause the pump to run too much to keep it filled. If the pump runs too much, it can burn out prematurely. Installing a larger well tank can protect your well pump.
How Much Does Well Pump Repair Usually Cost in Spicewood?
Repairing your well pump in Spicewood could cost you anywhere from $167-$1,755. However, most repair service calls cost closer to $600-$800. The best way to get a more accurate cost of well pump repair is to request an estimate from our specialists. Some factors that could affect your overall well pump repair cost include:
Type of Well Pump
The type of pump you have will affect the overall repair price. There are two main types of well pumps in Spicewood; jet pumps and submersible pumps. Shallow jet pumps are found in wells that are less than 25 feet deep and located above the ground, typically just inside the well house. These pumps have few running parts and require little maintenance. On the other hand, submersible well pumps can be used in wells up to 300 feet deep. It sits at the bottom of the well, directly in the water. Using its motor, the pump draws water from the bottom and pushes it out of the well into your home’s water lines.
However, repairing a shallow jet pump will cost you much less because they’re located above the ground and therefore, easy to remove for repair. Our well pump experts will have to remove the submersible pump from the well, which requires more effort, time, and special equipment. All these add up, increasing your repair costs.
The Condition of Other Well Components
Your well pump can fail because of other well system components such as pressure tanks or pipes. If these components are in good condition, you can heave a sigh of relief since you’ll only have to worry about the well pump repair. But if any of the components are damaged, you’ll have to factor in their repair costs as well. Additionally, you can expect the price of well pump repair to rise considerably if any of the components are damaged beyond repair and you must have them replaced. For example, replacing your pressure tank in Spicewood can cost between $800 and $3,800.
Well Pump Location
Depending on the location of your well pump and the way it is set up, you may have to pay more for the pump repair. If your well pump is hard to access, the expense could increase. For example, if you have a buried well, our well pump repair team will first have to locate it, which will entail more effort. Our team may have to use advanced tools and techniques. These factors will directly affect your pump repair cost.
How to Avoid Costly Well Pump Repairs in Spicewood?
The best way to extend the lifespan of your well pump and prevent unnecessary and costly repairs is by being proactive about your pump’s maintenance. Waiting to fix a pump system until it has broken down can actually end up costing more money in the long run than periodically maintaining your pumping system.
Getting a regular well pump inspection done by our experts may seem like an unnecessary expense when you don’t currently have a problem. But if the $100-$150 fee doesn’t seem justified when your water is flowing just fine from your well to your home, think of the time you are saving from troubleshooting well pump problems and the hundreds of dollars of savings – if not thousands – in well pump repairs.
Having a professional well pump company like Mr Blue Plumbing look over your well pump, will alert you to any potential problems and provide you with the insights and recommendations of someone who has been trained on maintaining a quality well pump system. Routine well pump maintenance ensures that:
- Your pump is running as efficiently as possible
- Ensures that your pumps are not being neglected
- Reduces downtime
- Reduces repair and replacement costs by extending the life of the equipment
When Do You Need Permits for Well Pump Repair in Spicewood?
Texas state law requires permits for any project that makes considerable alterations to your home’s plumbing system. This includes the installation, repair, and replacement of a well pump. Permit fees will vary depending on the company and the job that is being done.
