Low Water Pressure on a Well System: Causes & Fixes

Understanding Your Well Water System

Before troubleshooting low pressure, it helps to understand how a private well system delivers water to your home. The system has four primary components: the well itself, a submersible pump at the bottom of the well, a pressure tank in the house or well house, and a pressure switch that controls the pump.

The submersible pump pushes water from the well into the pressure tank, which stores a reserve of pressurized water. As you use water, the pressure in the tank drops. When it reaches a set lower limit (typically 30 or 40 psi), the pressure switch turns the pump on. The pump runs until the tank reaches the upper limit (typically 50 or 60 psi), then the switch shuts it off.

When any component in this chain malfunctions, water pressure at your fixtures drops. The key is identifying which component is causing the problem.

Common Causes of Low Well Water Pressure

Waterlogged Pressure Tank

A pressure tank contains an air bladder that maintains pressure between pump cycles. Over time, the bladder can rupture or lose its air charge, allowing the tank to fill completely with water -- a condition called waterlogging. A waterlogged tank causes the pump to cycle on and off rapidly (short cycling), delivers inconsistent pressure, and wears out the pump prematurely.

**How to check:** Tap the side of the pressure tank at different heights. A properly charged tank sounds hollow at the top (air) and solid at the bottom (water). If it sounds solid all the way up, the tank is waterlogged.

**Fix:** If the bladder is intact, you may be able to recharge the air through the Schrader valve on top of the tank. Set the air pressure to 2 psi below the cut-in pressure (e.g., 28 psi for a 30/50 system). If the bladder has ruptured, the tank needs replacement. A new pressure tank costs $300 to $800 installed depending on size.

Faulty Pressure Switch

The pressure switch controls when the pump turns on and off. Contact points inside the switch can corrode, pit, or stick, preventing the pump from running or causing it to run at incorrect pressures. In the Stevens and Dillsburg areas, iron and manganese in well water accelerate switch contact corrosion.

**How to check:** Listen for the pump to start when pressure drops. If you can hear the switch click but the pump does not start, the switch contacts may be burned. If the switch does not click at all, it may be stuck.

**Fix:** A pressure switch replacement costs $150 to $300 installed. This is one of the most common and affordable well system repairs.

Falling Water Table

Lancaster County has experienced periodic drought conditions that lower the water table, reducing well yield. Wells in the Stevens, Dillsburg, and rural areas that were drilled to depths of 100 to 200 feet may experience seasonal low water levels, especially during late summer and early fall. A well that recovers slowly between pump cycles delivers progressively lower pressure as the day goes on.

**How to check:** If pressure is good in the morning but drops during heavy use or by evening, a falling water table may be the issue. A well professional can measure the static water level to confirm.

**Fix:** Options include deepening the well, installing a storage tank with a booster pump, or drilling a new well to a greater depth. These are significant investments ranging from $3,000 to $15,000 or more.

Worn or Failing Pump

Submersible well pumps have a typical lifespan of 10 to 20 years. As internal components wear, the pump loses its ability to generate adequate pressure. A failing pump may run continuously without building pressure, or the pressure may build very slowly.

**How to check:** If the pump runs but takes much longer than usual to build pressure, or if it runs continuously without reaching the cut-off pressure, the pump is likely worn.

**Fix:** Replacing a submersible well pump costs $1,500 to $4,000 depending on the well depth and pump capacity. This price includes pulling the old pump, installing the new one, and testing the system.

Mineral Buildup and Clogged Screens

Lancaster County's hard water and iron-bearing groundwater can clog well screens, pump intakes, and household pipes with mineral deposits. Iron bacteria -- slimy orange or reddish deposits -- are common in wells throughout the county and can restrict flow at the well screen and inside supply pipes.

**Fix:** Well screen rehabilitation (surging, jetting, or chemical treatment) can restore flow. Inside the house, flushing supply lines and installing appropriate water treatment (iron filter, water softener) addresses the mineral buildup.

Constant Pressure Systems: A Modern Solution

If you are tired of the pressure fluctuations inherent in conventional well systems, a constant pressure system may be the answer. These systems use a variable-speed pump controller that adjusts pump speed to match demand, maintaining a steady, consistent pressure regardless of how many fixtures are in use.

**Cost:** $2,000 to $4,000 installed, including the controller and potentially a new pump compatible with variable-speed operation.

**Benefits:** Consistent water pressure, reduced pump cycling, longer pump life, and the ability to run multiple fixtures simultaneously without noticeable pressure drops.

Contact Lititz Hometown Plumbing at (831) 290-4327 for well water system diagnosis and repair throughout the Stevens, Dillsburg, and Lancaster County area.