It’s a Monday morning and you forgot to set your alarm before work—you’re late! You scoot into the bathroom for a quick shower, turn the water on… and there’s only a trickle… at this rate, it’ll take forever to rinse the soap off. Now you’re really running late and racking your brain to determine what could possibly be the sudden cause of the low pressure.
Low well water pressure can simply be a nuisance, but it can also indicate that there are other underlying issues that you need to deal with. Here are a few places to start as you troubleshoot:
Check Your Well Pump Pressure Setting
For people who get public water, the water pressure is controlled by their municipality, but if your home is on well water, the pressure is determined by your well pump’s settings. You water pressure is measured by pounds per square inch (psi), and most well pumps are typically set between 40 and 60 psi. You can check your water pressure by using a pressure gauge and adjust accordingly if it’s too low. It’s worth noting that the internal spring inside your pressure switch can wear out, and the gauge’s electric component can sometimes malfunction. If this happens, a repair will likely get your pressure back up in the correct range.
Assess Any Changes to the Home Environment
Have you recently completed a home renovation project? If you’ve added a new, regularly used water source to your house, like an extra bathroom, this could cause a drop in water pressure. Other reasons for a drop in pressure could include a recent drought or if you’ve used a lot more water than normal, say, for filling up a pool.
Consider a Constant Pressure System
Does your water pressure suddenly drop at one location in your home when a second faucet or appliance is turned on at the same time? If this is the case, it might be time to install a constant pressure system where your water line enters your house. This will give you more consistent water pressure.
Check the Mineral/Sediment Content in Your Water
Low pressure might not have anything to do with your water pump, but rather with a blockage in your pipes caused by the buildup of hard water minerals or sediment. Start by checking to see if your sediment filter is clogged, and if you don’t already have a water softener installed, now might be the time to think about getting one.
Assess the Placement of Your Well Pump
One source of low well water pressure could be that your well pump could be too close to the top of the water level. When this happens, your pump won’t draw as much water, so you’ll need to adjust the pump height.
When in Doubt, Call in the Professionals
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!
