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Well Pumps And
Pressure Tanks
How Does A Well
Pump and Pressure Tank Work
Skillings & Sons
Water well pressure
tank and well pump information
If you own a home that
has a private well for drinking water, it is to your benefit to learn how a
well water system works.
While most water well
systems will last for many years, knowing what the components do can help you
troubleshoot if a problem does arise.
Water
Well Pumps
After a well is
drilled, a water pump is installed along the well casing to push or lift water
from below the ground into your home.
It is placed below the
water level within the well so that it will not be affected by any water
drawdown or periods of drought.
The size of this pump
is determined by the size of your home, the number of plumbing fixtures, and
peak water demands.
A typical water pump
for domestic use can usually pump 10 gallons per minute out of the well using a
½ horsepower motor.
Some homes that use a
significant amount of water for irrigation, a home business or feeding animals
may need a larger pump.
Jet pumps, which can be
located above ground, are sometimes used in shallow wells that are 4 inches in
diameter or less.
But submersible pumps
are most often used in wells today and is likely the type of pump in your home.
Submersible pumps know
when to turn on when the pressure within the home’s water system drops below a
certain level.
The pump then lifts
water into the home until the default pressure is restored. But what controls
the water pressure?
Water
Well Pressure Tanks
As water is pumped from
the well into the pressure tank, it compresses the air in the tank until it
reaches a preset level, typically the 40 to 60 pounds per square inch (psi).
When someone turns on a
faucet, air pressure in the tank forces water throughout the plumbing until the
pressure drops to the preset trigger pressure, usually the 20 to 40 psi.
That tells the water
pump to turn on, and water is then drawn into the house and tank. When the
faucet is shut off, pressure builds until it is restored to its default
shut-off level.
The amount of water
delivered by the pressure tank between the time the pump shuts down and the
time it starts again is called the drawdown.
Pressure tank size and
the drawdown will depend on the amount of water the pump can draw into the home
in 1 to 2 minutes.
Some tanks hold as
little as 10 gallons, others more than 200 gallons. The most common size of
pressure tanks in residential homes hold about 44 gallons and have a drawdown
of about 16 gallons. If your home uses more than the average amount of water or
has a well with a low yield, a larger pressure tank may be needed.
Possible
Pressure Tank Problems
A pressure tank is
important because it keeps water pressure at a constant level. It also keeps
the water and air separated.
Without these features
the water pump would turn on and off quickly – a problem caused cycling – which
can quickly burn out the pump motor.
If your well has a
submersible pump, it can be difficult to tell whether the pump is running or
not.
These pumps often have
a relay switch that will click on and off when it is trying to activate the
pump, and you can listen for that click.
Some models even have a
relay switch light that will tell you when the relay is turning on the pump.
There is, of course,
the chance that there is a problem with the electrical relay system. This will
require a professional to determine if that’s the cause.
If you think there is a
problem with your well pump or pressure tank, Skillings & Sons can help you
determine the problem, find the best way to fix it and do the repair. We
have been fixing home water systems for more than 40 years.
New England’s Well Water
Professionals
Skillings & Sons, Inc. is a trusted name in well drilling and water system
installation and maintenance throughout New England. We strive to listen to our
clients’ needs, help them understand each step of the process and build their
trust and loyalty. We are a 3rd generation family business, servicing
New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Maine. Our technicians are well-trained
in the latest equipment, procedures and land use regulations for both
residential and commercial work. Having been in this business for more than 45
years, we have built a staff with more than 250 years of combined experience in
well and water system service.
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