Did you know indoor plumbing dates back to 2500 B.C? Did you also know that it is estimated that more than 13 million households in the United States rely on private wells for their homes water?
When it comes to private wells there is no regulation or oversight from government agencies or water companies, you’re the boss. But with great power comes great responsibility! That means you’re in charge of keeping things operational - but no worries, the team at Paramount Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning can offer a helping hand.
Dependable Well Repairs
Here at Paramount Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning we have decades of combined experience (over half a century actually!) in maintaining, installing and repairing private well water systems. We can maintain, repair or install well pumps and tanks; however, we do not drill new wells or do new installations, which would be done by a specialized well installation company.
There are many components to a well system that may need to be repaired or replaced throughout the life of your well which may include the well pump, well tank or pressure switch, all of which should be done by an experienced well repair company like our team here at Paramount Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning. The most common indicator that one of these parts has failed and needs replacement is an extreme drop or total loss of water pressure or flow. As an experienced well repair and replacement company, we stock all the major parts for a well repair or replacement and are able to get your water back on and flowing promptly and efficiently.
Well Water Terminology 101
Since well water is not as common as public water, and many homeowners moving to our area will be experiencing well water for the first time, we thought we’d go over what makes up a well system and some of the terminology you may hear when talking about your well with a technician from Paramount Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning.
Well Tank
The part of your well system inside your house, the well tank is a pressure tank that holds the water until you need it. When water is drawn from the tank from you using water within your home the pressure in the tank drops which triggers the well pump to send more water to the tank
Submersible Pump
The most common type of well pump for our area, this pump is placed inside the well casing and connected to a power source at the surface. In conjunction with the well tank and pressure gauges inside, the submersible pump sends water to the well tank when pressure level within the tank drops.
Well Casing
The well casing is the tube-shaped structure, typically about 6” in diameter, that is placed in the drilled well hole to maintain the well opening from the surface to the ground water. Think of it like an elevator shaft for water. This casing helps to not only maintain the well structure and integrity but also helps to prevent contaminants and debris from entering the well. The length of your well casing (and depth of your well) is typically determined by where the water table is underground and the geology of your property.
Well Caps
A well cap is placed on top of the well casing to prevent animals, debris and insects from getting into the well. The well cap is the visible part of the well above ground and is usually made from metal or plastic.
Pitless Adapter
A pitless adapter is a connector that allows the pipe carrying water to the surface to remain below the frost line ensuring a sanitary and frost proof seal is maintained.
Whole House Filters
Since well systems use ground water it is highly recommended to, at the very least, have a whole house filter that can catch any dirt or sediment that may have been sucked up by your pump. In addition to a whole house filter, you may find that you desire a water conditioning system to help treat your homes water. The team at Paramount Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning not only keeps your well system flowing but can condition your well water too.
Being the boss of your own water means you also should know what might happen if a problem arises and how to determine if you need to have one of our qualified well technicians at Paramount Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning out to ensure everything is in working order.
Know the Warning signs
Signs that you may be having well system problems:
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Very low water pressure
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Water appears dirtier than normal
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The pump comes on and off very quickly. You can hear this at the pressure switch near the well tank
If you notice you are having any of these problems or that something just doesn’t seem right with your water or well system, don’t hesitate to give our team at Paramount Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning a call to come out and have a look. Catching an issue with your well pump or well tank early can mean the difference between a small, quick repair or an expensive, involved repair.