Low Water Pressure From Your Well Can Be Solved
Whether you’re a new homeowner or have owned a home for years, fixing low water pressure on a water well system can be tricky. Some causes of low water pressure are easy to fix, while others could require a professional well water expert. Regardless of the cause, low water pressure is not something you just have to put up with.
Water pressure is the term used to describe the force behind the water that pushes it through the home plumbing system. If the house uses public water, water pressure is controlled by the municipal water system, but for homes with a private well, water pressure is controlled by settings on the well pump. It is measured by pounds per square inch (psi) and should fall somewhere between 40 psi and 60 psi.
Identifying the cause of low water pressure
If the water doesn’t flow from the faucet or showerhead as forcefully as you’d like it to, it could be due to a drop in pressure. A drop in water pressure can sometimes happen when there’s additional draw in water, such as after building a home addition that includes an additional kitchen or bathroom, or installing a new irrigation system. Drought and periods of heavy water usage could be the cause.
Solving low water pressure problems
If you notice water pressure drops at one source when another water-drawing source is turned on, installing a constant pressure system could fix the problem. A constant pressure system is easily installed in your basem*nt on the line where the water enters your home. Like its name suggests, it keeps the water pressure constant as different faucets and appliances are being used, changing the speed of your water pump as demand increases or decreases.
This is an affordable solution that can also help address water pressure issues for owners of condominiums on the upper floors of a building, or for homes where the well is located a great distance from the home.
Homeowners may also be able to fix low pressure problems by adjusting their pressure tank. These tanks have gauges which tell the homeowner how much pressure is behind the water flowing through the pipes. If it is below 40 psi, the pressure should be increased.
Is it low pressure or low flow?
Sometimes what seems like low water pressure is actually low water volume, where less water is making it through the pipes than had been flowing previously. Do you have problems with sediment, hard water or iron in your water? The cause could be clogged pipes or a clogged well casing from a buildup of sediment and minerals. It could also be an improperly placed well pump. If the pump is placed too close to the top of the well’s water level, it will reduce water flow.
In these cases, adding water pressure will not help the problem in the long term and can lead to water system damage or catastrophic failure. It is important to rule these causes out before taking any steps to increase pressure. That is why we advise our customers with water pressure concerns to get a consultation from a professional first before taking any action.
