Whether you have always lived in a home with a well pump or you are a new well pump owner, it is important to know about hidden well pump features that will make your life easier. If you have an understanding of how your well pump works and know the difference between well pump features, it will prevent you from panicking and thinking you need a full well pump replacement when you just need a simple well pump repair.
The Difference Between Submersible Well Water Pumps and Jet Well Water Pumps
The first thing to recognize is that different type of well pump systems have different features. For instance, both a submersible pump and a jet pump work to pump water from a well. However, as the name suggests, a submersible well water pump is submerged in the well water. In contrast, a jet pump is used above ground. As a result of these differences, the pump features will be found in different locations.
To help well pump owners, Monticello Pump Services, Inc. has provided well system diagrams and diagnostics on our website. We encourage well pump owners to use these diagrams to familiarize themselves with the features of their well pump and gain a better understanding of how the pump functions.
The Pressure Switch
Well pump owners need to know where the pressure switch is located and how it works. The pressure switch is what turns the pump on and off. When the water in the pressure tank drops to a certain psi (pounds per square inch), the pressure switch turns on and allows water to enter the system.
The Pressure Tank
The pressure tank is what maintains the pressure of the well system. Your well system’s pressure tank uses compressed air to force water to flow from the well system and into your home. In order to function properly, the diaphragm should be set to 2 psi less than the kick on pressure normally a 40-60 psi setting, you would have 38 psi air pressure in the diaphragm.
Important Valves
Your well pump system will have either a check valve or a foot valve. Both work to prevent backflow issues. A checked valve keeps water that has been pumped from flowing back into well. A foot valve is used for deep wells to keep water from flowing back into the well when the well is off. These valves are important for maintaining the pressure of the water entering your home.
Water Well Pump Repair Near Me
We’ve found that often well pump owners simply don’t know how to identify the different parts of their well system, and therefore, they will need our help to diagnose the problem. Even knowledgeable well pump owners need assistance from time to time. We are here to help! For several decades, Monticello Pump Services, Inc. has been providing free troubleshooting and well pump service to the residents of Fredericksburg, Manassas, Fairfax, Leesburg, and surrounding counties.