You might be completely baffled as to what’s causing your home’s water pressure to fluctuate and be all over the place.
If you are using a well system for your house, the water pressure might be excessive at times, or it can hardly be more than a steady drip at others.
It is likely to have low pressure at the most unexpected times. And you will find it painful to wake up late and have to wait more than 20 minutes to shower because your water pressure is low.
Fluctuating water pressure on well system is bothersome and can ruin a good day of yours. So if you want to get rid of this problem and avoid being late for work, parties, or flights, read our manual on how you can get it sorted!
What Causes Inconsistent Water Pressure Well?
Inconsistent water pressure brings many hindrances to daily activities, especially when you are in a hurry.
There are many reasons why water pressure fluctuates in well system. To try and solve the problem, it is essential to know the reasons.
Let us see what might be the probable causes that can cause water fluctuations in well system.
- Trapped Air in Pipeline
Sometimes air might get trapped in the pipes, which causes water pressure to sputter and fluctuate with the air and water passing through it.
Faulty pumps, leaks in the pipes, etc., can cause the air to get inside.
- Failure of Pressure Regulating Valve
There is a pressure regulating valve that controls the entire system of water pressure. If this regulating valve fails, the pressure of the water may suddenly rise or fall, causing it to fluctuate between too high and too low.
- Clogged Pipeline
If your house has a decade-old plumbing system, there’s a high chance it might have got clogged. As pipes leak or clogs move around inside the pipes, the water pressure can fluctuate.
Also, if your pipelines are not adequately cleaned, specks of dirt get accumulated inside them; this creates hindrances for proper water flow as the channels are clogged with dirt.
How To Fix Water Pressure Fluctuations On A Well System?
Now that you know what might cause the water pressure of your well system to fluctuate let’s take a look at some methods you can use to improve the water pressure.
- Getting Your Pipelines Checked
Your pipes might get old and damaged. That would cause it to clog, and the clogging causes the intermittent water pressure of your well system.
Because of that, you should always get your pipelines checked once every 6-7 months to see if their condition is okay or not.
You can also install a water softener if your current one is damaged.
Always keep your pipelines cleaned as they might cause clogging in your pipelines.
- Getting Your Pressure Tanks Proper Servicing
The pressure tanks in your house should be kept in check to see if the pressure level is okay or not. Usually, water pressure in a home should be between 40 and 60 psi on average.
If the pressure is too low, you have to increase the pressure, and you need to decrease it if it is high.
To change the pressure levels, turn off the circuit that supplies power to the well pump at first.
Now, using an air pressure gauge, check the air fill valve to see where your pressure is.
If the pressure is less than 40 psi, then increase the water pressure by adjusting the pressure. If it is more than 60 psi, reduce the level.
After that, open a faucet to test the water after turning on the circuit. Repeat these steps if necessary to make any further adjustments.
- Setting Up a New Pressure System
If any of the remedies or solution does not seem to work on your pressure system, you may consider installing a constant pressure system to help your pressure tank provide more water pressure to your home.
If you start spending a lot of time on something that is unmendable, your efforts will go futile.
On the way, you also might need to spend a lot more than you’d be needing to set up a whole new system. In that case, setting up a new system would be wiser.
To install new parts and pieces and examine and service your leaky pipes, find your nearest plumber.
Don’t try to do this on your own unless you are certified to do it or have adequate understanding and knowledge.
And after you install a new system, have every adjustment made to ensure that the well system does not get as broken this time.
- Getting the Water Pressure Improved
There might be a lot of problems while using a well system. But once you know how to improve them, it gets easier for you to maintain the water pressure.
As we have already discussed, there are various factors due to which water fluctuation problems arise. It might be the air valve or the pipelines getting clogged.
Sometimes the municipal water supply gets clogged as well! These occurrences are a pain, but they can be improved in a way or few.
Constantly keeping a check on the places where it might get damaged can be good. Also, get your pipelines checked by plumbers regularly at intervals.
Early detection of the problems would save you both money and time. Now, watch this video to learn how to deal with pulsating water pressure from your well pump.
Final Words
Although well systems might seem troubling due to their water pressure fluctuation problems, they are very convenient to use in reality. You just have to invest your time in maintaining and properly using it.
We hope that from this article, you have come to know the different causes of water fluctuation in your well system and how to fix them.
Now, it’s your time to fix the system following these solutions. Also, don’t forget to check up on the system every once in a while.
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This has been a really big help. Thanks a lot.
Excellent – giving it a try now
You give a lot of good information here. A water leak is a no-brainer, an air leak could be hard to find unless you can hear the sound of it. I have heard about the clogged tank, but no idea as to how one gets rid of it. The water lines I gues you would say to drain the line. I have never heard of a clogged line, but it does make sense that it could happen. In my case, I have full pressure in one bathroom at the far end of our trailer but not anywhere else. Setting the pump pressure could use a little information on how to do the adjustment. And one thing I really can’t understand is replacing the blatter inside the tank, I would have to cut my tank in half to do that.
I really could use some help here Please. Thank you in advance.
Frank Sawyer
Let’s address each of your concerns one by one:
Water Leak:
For a visible leak, the solution is generally straightforward: locate the source of the leak and repair or replace the damaged section of piping. If you suspect an air leak or an invisible water leak, it may require closer inspection, sometimes using special equipment or techniques such as a pressure test.
Air Leak:
An air leak in the water lines can indeed be tricky to find if it’s not audible. You can check all connections and valves to make sure they are tight. If the system allows, you might pressurize the system and use soapy water on the joints to look for bubbles, which can indicate a leak.
Clogged Tank:
If you suspect that the tank is clogged, the tank should have a drain valve that you can open to flush out debris. If sediment is the issue, you might need to do a more thorough flush by filling and draining it a few times.
Clogged Water Lines:
If a clog is suspected in a line, sometimes back-flushing the system can clear it. This means reversing the water flow to push the clog back out the way it came in. However, be cautious with this method as it can damage some plumbing components if not done correctly.
Pump Pressure Adjustment:
Most water pumps have a pressure switch that can be adjusted. Typically, you would have a nut or screw that you can turn to adjust the cut-in and cut-out pressure. The owner’s manual or a label on the pump should indicate how to make these adjustments. Be sure to turn off the pump before making any adjustments, and be aware that incorrect adjustments can lead to pump or system damage.
Replacing the Bladder in a Pressure Tank:
If the pressure tank for your water system has a damaged bladder, it can often be replaced without cutting into the tank. Many tanks are designed with a removable bladder or diaphragm. However, if your specific tank does not have a replaceable bladder, then replacing the entire tank may be the only option.
Given your situation with full pressure in one bathroom but not elsewhere, it suggests that the issue might be localized to a specific section of your plumbing. Here are a few additional steps you can take:
Check for Partially Closed Valves: Ensure that all valves in the system are fully open.
Check for Mineral Build-up: In areas with hard water, mineral build-up can cause blockages.
Evaluate Pressure Regulators: If you have pressure regulators installed, they could be malfunctioning or set incorrectly.
Since plumbing systems can be complex and the potential for causing additional damage is significant if you’re not familiar with how to make these repairs, you may want to consider getting a professional plumber to take a look at your system. They can offer a more precise diagnosis and handle repairs with the proper tools and parts.