How Often Should Well Pumps be Checked? maintenance intervals to after every two or three years. This depends largely on the type of pump, the condition of the well and costs.
Visually check the well cover, pressure tank, pump, and pipes on a regular basis. This is to ensure that they are intact and not damaged. Look for rust, corrosion, cracks, or visible leaks.
With proper well maintenance, your new well pump can last, on average, 8 to 15 years, though many homeowners report their pumps lasting far longer, often between 20 and 30 years!
The tanks should be flushed semi-annually to remove accumulated sediments by opening the tank drain valve. These sediments could harbor and shield harmful microbes from chlorination should the well and home plumbing system require disinfection.
A well pressure tank typically lasts between 5 to 15 years, depending on maintenance, water quality, and usage frequency. Key signs that a well pressure tank needs replacement include water pressure fluctuations, unusual noises, and visible leaks.
Because of this, the range is $2,500 to $17,000. These costs would include all equipment, material and labor to install a basic well pump all the way to a high capacity deep well installation.
Malfunctioning Well Pump Pressure Switch
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.
Depending on your water usage, your well pump should run for a few minutes and then stay off for a significant duration. If it's well pump cycles on and off too frequently, there's likely an underlying issue.
An annual well maintenance check, including a bacterial test, is recommended. Any source of drinking water should be checked any time there is a change in taste, odor or appearance, or anytime a water supply system is serviced.
Apart from being pumps, they all require regular servicing to ensure they continue operating at their best. Preventative pump servicing is an important measure that can prevent poor performance and troubleshoot potential problems before they occur.
30 years is a possibility, but it is at the far end of the range for pump lifespan. Anecdotally when I chat with customers who are looking to replace a well pump, less than 10 percent will have pumps older than 25 years. In my experience most are looking to replace pumps around the 10-15 year range.
How Much Does a Well Inspection Cost? An average well inspection ranges from $300 to $500. This depends on the inspector's rates as well as the type of water tests they intend to conduct to check water quality. It also depends on whether they provide a septic inspection as well.
Continuous Use of a Well Pump. Does this Cause Burn Out? Well pumps left to run for extended periods will overheat and burn out. Frequent or increased pre-priming needs checking by professionals.
This can lead to reduced efficiency, increased wear and tear on the pump, and higher energy bills. In severe cases, short cycling can even cause the pump to fail entirely. Short cycling can also put undue stress on the motor, which can lead to overheating and damage over time.
Check the well pressure gauge.
Go to your pressure tank and look for the gauge. If it reads zero, you have confirmation that the problem is coming straight from your well water system-either your well itself isn't producing water, or your well pump is not working properly.
You also risk burning out your pump, and they can be expensive to replace.
Pump cleaning is a far more gentle solution, which does not damage the construction of your well and does not create any pressure. It can be performed by a professional, but you can also handle it yourself.
If there is no groundwater available to enter the pump, it sucks air instead of water.
So to recap; homeowner's insurance does not normally cover pump replacement or servicing. If it does, it's probably due to weather anomalies that would also have ended up damaging a significant portion of your home. You'll need to check your specific policy for a weather peril clause.
Low water pressure is usually one of the most obvious signs that your well pump isn't working properly. However, you might also notice fluctuations in the pressure. Other things can also cause water pressure changes, though, so you might need a plumber or well service provider to determine the cause.
IS MY WELL JUST OLD? Another problem can be well age. A well's lifespan is considered to be roughly 20 to 30 years.