As with most things in life, wells often seem to act up at the worst possible moment. And sometimes, if there’s inclement weather or unfortunate situations, getting a technician out to your house may not be an option. Although we always recommend having a licensed tech check things out to be safe, DIY repairs do have their time and their place. What we tend to see the most of in terms of well issues is the well pump constantly running, not running at all, or inconsistencies in the water pressure. But how do you fix it?
The Basics
We’re covering all bases here, so stick with us. Check and make sure the power is on, meaning the well switch is on. After that, make sure the breaker hasn’t been tripped. If it’s been tripped, reset it. After that check out the pressure switch. If it’s bad, replace it.
Pump Controller
The next thing to go is the pump controller. There isn’t really a way to check it though, and you’ll need to buy a replacement. So, unscrew the controller, lift it off the box, and take it down to the store, as you’ll want to make sure that you’re buying the exact same one. If you’re DIYing it’s really either you take the risk of replacing it and the problem doesn’t resolve, or you don’t buy it and continue trying to find the issue.
Pressure Tank
If the pump controller isn’t it, it may be the pressure tank. They can go bad, becoming waterlogged, and will need to be replaced every once in a while. You can check for this by pressing a small screwdriver into the air valve to check for water. If water comes out, it’s bad. Another way is rocking your tank. Generally, if it’s top heavy then it’s gone bad. The only option for this too is replacement.
Throw in the Towel
From here out if the issue still hasn’t been resolved, you’ll find it’s often better, if given the option, to call in a pro. You’ll probably get the problem resolved quicker and with less hassle, and you can be assured that it’s fixed correctly.
There’s often a little DIY spirit in all of us, urging us to try something new and get something done, especially in situations when there’s few other options. Learning the basic operations and issues with your well is a great idea that can serve you well in the long run, giving you the option to DIY where others cannot. Just be sure to know when things become too much for you, as sometimes, fiddling with things we don’t know much about can do more harm than good, and we should entrust our problems to the pros.
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!
