FAQs

The first thing to check for is power to your pump. Check at your homes breaker panel or fuse panel to make sure no breakers are tripped or fuses are blown. Most well pumps operate at 220 volts. Beyond checking breakers or fuses any other tests for voltage can be dangerous! Meadow Well & Pump’s technicians are qualified to make any further checks.  If you feel the power supply is good then it’s time to make that call to Meadow Well & Pump for further testing.

Rapid or short cycling of a pump is usually caused by a water logged condition in the tank. Water logged tanks are the #1 reason for pump failure. A water logged condition is the absence of air in the tank witch is needed to operate properly. There are 2 basic types of tanks, galvanized and captive air. Galvanized tanks have been used for many years and still in use today but they require yearly (if not more often) maintenance. Captive air tanks are far more popular and widely used. A captive air type tank requires very little maintenance. Captive air tanks utilize a rubber bladder or diaphragm in the base of the tank to store water, in this way the water is separated from the air and does not come in contact with the steel of the tank. There is an air charge inside and above the bladder.

When either tank becomes waterlogged it can quickly damage your pump and should be taken care of as soon as possible. Anyone is welcome to call for further information.

Pumps should only run when water is being called for. If your pump is continually running check to make sure nothing is running inside or outside the home. If running water is not evident then close the water supply valve to your home, usually located near your water storage tank. If the pump continues to run then check your yard for standing or bubbling water between the house and the well head. This situation would indicate a leak in the water line under ground. If that checks out ok then further testing needs to be done. Leaks are commonly the cause of the problem but pressure switches can sometimes cause a similar problem. Just give us a call for more information.

Air in a water system can come from multiple sources. The most common sources of air in a well system are:

• A defective water storage tank is leaking its air charge into the water lines.
• The well pump is drawing air through its inlet. When the water level in a well drops below the inlet to the pump, air and water are drawn in simultaneously creating air in the lines. Sometimes setting the pump deeper is all that’s needed. Other times the problem can be more serious.
• In some instances wells can contain naturally occurring methane gas which looks like air and can accumulate in the tank and lines.

There are other sources of air also. Most common of those is a malfunctioning filtration system. Sometimes when certain types of filters regenerate they can draw air into the system also.  In most cases the source of air is easily detected.

Low pressure is the most common problem brought to our attention. There are a number of factors that affect pressure in a home. A normal well system is designed to operate at a pressure that fluctuates between 40 & 60 lbs. If your system is in this range as indicated by the pressure gauge at your storage tank then other factors could be at play.

The affect of a properly operating filtration system on your homes pressure should be negligible and can be easily checked by bypassing the filter system and noting any difference in pressure. Another major factor is the requirement that all faucets are federally regulated to 2.2 gallon per minute at 60PSI. It appears new standards are being discussed lowering the standard to 1.5 gallons per minute. Click the EPA logo to visit the site.

Standing water around your well or between your well and house can indicate a leak in a water line. Under normal circumstances if your water line is leaking your well pump will cycle on and off when no water is running in the house. This situation is also described under My Pump Runs Continuously. There are instances when water leaking up through the ground may not come from the well. Closing the valve at the water storage tank and monitoring the pressure on your gauge (at the tank) will tell you if there are any leaks in the system. The pressure will drop only if there is a leak.

Great….. Now we have to prove ourselves! All mass merchandisers have purchase power far beyond the means of any local service and repair firm. Truck loads of economy and below trade standard pumps, parts, tanks, and fittings are available without explanation as fast as your Visa card can process. All they have to do is sell it. They don’t have to install, adjust, calibrate, or balance anything! They are not called upon to design a system that fits your needs or calculate performance curves that provide efficient and cost effective operation. The only guaranty you have is your receipt, the labors on you! Planning on taking it back? Guess again. If your pump even appears used or previously installed, it’s yours to keep. No returns on used merchandise. Most likely you’re helped by a young well intended youth having not the slightest idea of anything but cost and bigger must be better. You are well off taking the money you might have saved and buying a proven nationally know product, by a nationally know manufacturer, with a real guaranty by a contractor who is certified and licensed.

Modern well systems normally require very little maintenance; wells should be checked periodically to prevent major interruption in service.  Local government agencies suggest chlorinating a well once a year.  Meadow Well and Pump can chlorinate your well for you also general information on well chlorination is available from your local health department.