While there are plenty of benefits of simply owning a well pump, many homeowners are unaware that one of the greatest benefits of owning a well pump is that homeowners can often perform repairs themselves rather than needing a well pump replacement.
At Monticello Pump Services, we are proud to provide exceptional well pump services, and one of those services is free emergency troubleshooting. In our 45+ years of business, we have discovered that many well pump owners do not realize there are well pump features they can check and assess themselves.
Over the phone, we often walk well pump owners through basic diagnostics, like the ones we discuss below, and provide these homeowners with the knowledge that will make life with a well pump easier.
You Can Use a Meter to Check for Electrical Shorts
If you have no water from well, then the first thing you want to check is your circuit breaker. If the circuit breaker is tripped in the home’s breaker box, it explains this problem. However, if the problem continues, you may want to check the resistance on the wires and cables connected to your well pump motor. By using a multimeter or ohmmeter. You can check to see if there is any electrical resistance. If the meter does not show any resistance, then it means you have a short that will need to be repaired.
NOTE – It is critical that you turn off all electrical power before you attempt to do any repairs yourself. If you do not, you put yourself at risk of great injury or death.
You Can Check the Motor with an Amp/Multimeter
Many well pump issues are due to motor problems, such as pumps that shut down and need to be restarted often. You can use an amp or multimeter to check to see if your well pump motor is functioning properly or if there is debris preventing the motor impellers from doing their job.
You Can Clear Debris from the Aerator
If you are experiencing low water pressure, it may be because there is debris that is clogging the aerator at your faucet. You can check the aerator yourself for debris and replace it.
You Can Adjust the Pressure Setting
The pressure setting on your well pump makes a huge difference in how well your pump works (or doesn’t). Fortunately, you can adjust the pressure setting. There is a gauge at the bottom of your tank that shows the psi, which stands for pounds of force per square inch. When checking this gauge, you should see a 20 psi differential from when the pump begins operating and when it stops.
Additionally, there is a pressure relief valve on your well pump that is made to prevent pressure from going beyond 75 psi. This pressure relief valve can be adjusted to relieve pressure when it is too high. Too much pressure may occur because your pressure switch is not functioning properly. Fortunately, you can adjust the pressure switch settings to meet the needs of your tank size.
Your Main House Valve Affects Your Well Pump
It may seem obvious, but your plumbing system directly affects your well pump. Something as small as the main house valve being closed can cause low water pressure. For example, if someone works on the pump and forgets to turn the main house valve back on, you’ll have low water pressure.
Monticello Pump Services Provides Exceptional Well Pump Repair for Manassas, Leesburg, Fairfax, and Fredericksburg
For more than 45 years, we have provided Northern Virginia residents, such as those in Manassas, Purcellville, Great Falls and Fairfax Station, with exceptional well pump repair and replacement services. We pride ourselves on striving to provide customers with quality service beginning from the first phone call. We have a technician available 24 hours a day to help our customers troubleshoot well pump issues. Plus, we make it a priority to provide quality emergency services after-hours and on weekends for those issues that go beyond telephone troubleshooting.