Having a well at your property in the countryside is more than just a handy feature. It might be your only source of water for drinking, cooking, bathing, and more.
Living in a city or suburb often means relying on water from a treatment facility in or around town, but a well isn’t like public water systems that are maintained by professionals. It’s up to you, as the owner of a rural property, to keep your well in working order.
It’s important to be aware of the warning signs that your well might not be in good working order in order to protect your health, your plumbing system, and your finances.
Here are four warning signs that may indicate that the well on your property needs to be serviced.
- Changes in Water Pressure or Flow
An abrupt or gradual change in water pressure is one of the most common indicators of something amiss in your well water system. You may have noticed reduced water flow in your faucets, varied water pressure in your shower, or your pump running nonstop. What you don’t want to do is ignore these issues. They’ll likely worsen over time if not tackled promptly.
The problems associated with pressure can be indicative of the following:
- Failing or worn-out well pump
- Pressure tank issues
- Clogged pipe or sediment buildup
- Leak in the system
- Declining water level in the aquifer
In case of a sudden drop in pressure, it should be treated as an emergency situation. A sudden drop in pressure might imply a possible failure of the pump or a leak in the system. A gradual drop in pressure might imply the accumulation of sediments or the wear and tear of the pump.
It’s a good idea to call a well services company to get the issues checked out and fixed.
- Peculiar Taste, Odors, or Discoloration in the Water
Clean water from a well should be clear, odorless, and taste good. If there are any issues on these fronts, something’s wrong and should be addressed.
Typical warning signs include the following:
- Rotten egg smell
- Metallic taste
- Salty or bitter taste
- Brown, orange, or cloudy water
- Blue or green tint
Bacterial contamination, intrusion of minerals, changes in the source of the groundwater, or corroded pipes can be among the root causes of these sorts of problems. If any of these issues are an issue for you, contact a company offering well intervention services for assistance.
- Sputtering Faucets or Air in the Water Line
If your faucets spit, sputter, or shoot a burst of air prior to starting to flow regularly, that’s a sign that air is entering your plumbing system.
The air in the pipes may also be present together with cloudy or milky water, which becomes clearer after it sits. This cloudiness consists of tiny air bubbles.
Of all the signs, it’s especially troubling to see dripping faucets, as it can indicate that the water level has dropped low enough to expose the intake for the pump. When that happens, it can cause the pump to overheat and fail, and that’s costly to fix. It can also increase the chances of contaminated groundwater entering the system.
- The Well Pump Turns On and Off Frequently
Your well pump should not be running continuously. When a well pump cycles quickly, called rapid cycling, there is a problem in the system.
Common reasons include a failing pressure tank bladder and water leaks in pipes between the well and the house.
Rapid cycling not only indicates a problem, but it’s a problem in and of itself. Each start is harsh on the electric motor in the pump. If the motor is cycling on and off dozens of times in an hour, it shortens the life of the pump and hikes your electricity bill.
The repair could be as simple as replacing the pressure tank or pressure switch, but failure to address the issue could result in a complete pump replacement, which can be expensive.
Don’t Ignore the Early Symptoms
Your well isn’t necessarily visible to you — and that’s all the more reason for you not to forget about it when the first signs of trouble appear. The last thing you want to do in such situations is to ignore the signs and hope that they go away on their own.
Catching well problems early can protect your health and prevent pump failure. Call in the experts to get the issues expertly diagnosed and professionally fixed.
