Modern wells use submersible pumps to apply pressure—measured in pounds per square inch—and force water up a pipe and into a pressure tank until it’s needed inside the home. However, there are some factors that can affect the PSI your well pump is supposed to produce and what you actually get. If you’re dealing with low pressure, use this guide to figure out if you need plumbing or well pump repairs to correct the problem.

How to Test for a Well Pump Pressure Issue 

When you first detect a water pressure issue, check the well pump’s PSI and flow rate—the number of gallons flowing through the pipe each minute. The PSI, which should be between 30 and 70, can be found on the pressure tank’s gauge. This will usually read lower when the tank turns on and higher when it turns off. 

Generally, residential well pumps have a flow rate between 5 and 20 gallons per minute. Determine what yours is by dividing the number of gallons drawn from the pressure tank until it turns on by how many seconds it takes it to build up pressure and turn off once more. 

How to Determine if You Need Well Pump Repairs

If the pressure gauge is sitting right at the minimum PSI or below it, you can try and increase the pressure switch found at the pipe connecting the well and the pressure tank. If this doesn’t work, the pressure tank could be leaking or failing. 

However, if the flow rate is low, increasing the switch won’t improve the pressure. In this case, it’s possible the well pump is either improperly placed or too much sediment has built up on the well casing. For the quickest diagnosis, it’s best to call a pump repair technician. 

If the PSI and flow rate readings are normal, there’s likely a plumbing problem inside the home causing the pressure drop. It might be something as small as clogged showerheads and faucet fixtures. However, if you notice that the pressure gets lower when multiple fixtures are running or has only started after installing a new appliance, your home’s piping may be too small in diameter to accommodate the PSI needed to support your water demands.  

If you’ve recently noticed a drop in water pressure, contact the team at Johnson Water Well Drilling for help. Since 1986, this family-owned company has provided residential and commercial well-drilling services to customers throughout Foley, AL. Their expert well contractors use state-of-the-art technology to ensure safe and effective well installations and maintenance, which has earned them an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau®. They also provide 24-hour emergency well and pump repair services. Call them today at (251) 955-5236 to correct your water pressure dilemma and visit their website to learn more about their services.