For those who’re well pump newbies, the system can seem complicated or like something that would take too long to learn about. However, the basics of your well pump system can be broken down and understood pretty easily! And when learning about your well pump, this makes it so that when something goes wrong, you’ll be able to identify and even possibly fix the issue yourself, without the need for intervention. And when dealing with something that controls all of the water in your home, being able to quickly resolve an issue yourself makes all of the difference!
Your Well Pump
The most important part of your well pump system is inarguably the pump itself, which is what makes the system work in the first place. The two most commonly used pumps are the jet pump and the submersible pump, but they both function quite similarly. Both of the pumps function by forcing the well water upwards into the system, however jet pumps are placed above the ground, carrying water up, while submersible pumps are placed in the well, below the surface of the water and pushes water upward. The type of pump used in your system usually depends on the depth of your well, and how much water you need in your household, but generally they both are used to get the water from your well to your waterline.
The Basics
Now of course, each well system differs slightly from home to home, however in general, these are the basics. In your well system, the pressure tank controls the function of the water pump. Your pressure tank has a typical range of 40-60 psi, and when the pressure is in this range, the water pump is shut off, since no new water is needed in the system at that time. But when any water is used within your home, the water pressure in the tank is gonna drop. When this happens the water pressure will drop below its minimum range (40 psi), which tells the water pump that its time to start up again. The water pump, be it jet or submersible, will force water upwards into the waterline, through your house, and out of the faucet! When the pressure tank is now full enough again, reaching the maximum range (60 psi), then the water pump will shut off. As more water is used in your home the cycle will simply repeat and repeat.
Well Pumps
When owning a well pump system on your property, just like owning anything else, knowledge can be key. The more you know about your well, the better you’ll be able to care for the system, and the better your system will run. When something in your system goes awry, your knowledge can be the difference between waiting hours or days for help to come or fixing the problem yourself in a few minutes! With this new knowledge in hand, this is one step closer to smooth sailing and clear well water!
At Faulstick Plumbing, we specialize in installs, repairs, and inspections for all of your well, water, and plumbing needs. Our family-owned and operated business has built a reputation as the best-doing things the right way with the customer in mind, every time. Give us a call at 570-992-0447 to discuss your needs today!
