If you have a well in your house, then you might also have a submersible well pump. Well sometimes, maintenance can be a little overdue, so here is everything you need to know about maintaining your submersible well pump so that it works efficiently for longer.
Submersible Well Pump Care Tips
Check The Water Level
First things first and this isn’t a pump maintenance tip per se, but it’s going to prevent your pump from breaking down prematurely, which can lead to a lot of maintenance and eventually replacement of the pump for a new one. Submersible pumps work best when they are completely submerged underwater. If the pump isn’t submerged fully, then it won’t be able to lubricate itself and it can lead to overheating of the pump, among other problems which are a pain to solve.
So, always ensure that there is a lot of water in your well, especially when the pump is on, because if there is water, only then the pump will work efficiently for years to come. Don’t worry about the pump breaking down or getting damaged underwater. Submersible well pumps are watertight and they don’t let any moisture in unless the seal breaks. So, you will be good to go for a long time.
Check The Seals
Speaking of seals, this is also a very important thing to go over when looking at your pump, because a broken seal can let water in and damage the internal electrical circuits of the pump and you don’t want that. You want the pump to work flawlessly and this is why you need to keep an eye out for seals.
You can check the seals and any problems in them, by seeing if there is water going inside the pump. You’ll be able to tell if there is a formation of air bubbles in a certain part of the pump. That’s when you know that the seal needs to be replaced.
Prioritize Routine Maintenance
This tip should go without saying, but yes, regular maintenance and always keeping the pump in good shape will lead to better operation and performance in the long run. It’s vital that you keep an eye on the pump at all times and troubleshoot it whenever a small issue rears its head.
You’ll solve the problem in no time, preventing it from morphing into something major and completely irreversible. If you take good care of your pump, then it will last for a decent amount of time and you’ll need to repair things less frequently.
Look Out For The Pressure Tank
The fluctuation in the water pressure tank can also lead to a lot of problems. This tank is usually right by your pump and well and there is a specific pressure that needs to be set so that you can get water supply in your home.
Sometimes the pressure can either be too much or too little and you don’t want that to happen, otherwise it will put a lot of burden on the pump. So, always keep the pressure on the recommended levels and if there is any fluctuation in it, then turn off the pump immediately and inspect it for issues or call a plumber.
Is The Pump Overheating?
Another very common problem with well pumps, especially submersible pumps, is that they can get overheated. This can happen for a couple of reasons. Either the pump isn’t fully submerged underwater or it hasn’t been lubricated for a long time.
This can cause the moving parts of the pump to wear down and produce a lot of heat since it’s metal rubbing against metal. So, you want to ensure that you’re always keeping an eye out for any smell, burning odor or even smoke accumulation in the pump. In that case, you need well pump repair Montgomery County.
Check The Electrical Connections
All of the electrical systems of a submersible pump are inside the body of the pump. This is all in an airtight assembly and water can’t typically reach it, until or unless the seal is broken. This is why you need to check the electrical connection of the pump from time to time, because if you let it go unnoticed, then water and electricity is a combination that can turn deadly within minutes.
So, always ensure that there aren’t any loose wires or exposed circuits, especially when the submersible pump is underwater and running.
Check The Water Pressure
Is the water coming through the well and into your home slowly? Is there a pressure difference? Well, if that’s the case, then it’s probable that there is a leak in the pressure system, some fault in the pump, or another dire issue.
This is a common problem but it can lead to the submersible pump breaking down if you’re not too careful and vigilant about the mode of action. If this happens, then you should immediately stop the pump and take a look at the water pressure tank and the pump itself. Chances are there might be a fault in either of these things.
Is There Spitting?
This is also related to pressure, but if you see that the water coming from the well and into the pressure tank is not continuous and there is a lot of air in it, then there might be a problem with either the pump or the pressure valve.
Sometimes, this can happen if the well is running out of water and even when there is an internal problem with the suction system of the submersible pump. This is why it’s always a good idea to keep an eye on the water in the tank.
Lubricate The Pump
Some submersible well pumps are self-lubricating and if that’s the case for you, then you can skip this one. However, some submersible pumps need to be manually lubricated. Lubrication can help with a lot of things.
It prevents overheating of the pump, machine wear and tear, and other issues that can turn dangerous quickly. So, you want to make sure that if your pump needs lubrication, then you’re on top of your game. However, one thing that you need to keep in mind is that try not to over-lubricate your pump, otherwise, it can cause choking and clogging and that’s not what you want.
Call In The Professionals
If you can’t figure out the problem and don’t want to get your hands dirty thinking that it’s going to cause more problems, then it’s best that you call professionals in and let them take care of everything. They’re great at their job and can almost instantly figure out what’s wrong with the pump.
You can even call them for professional maintenance if that’s what you prefer. Yes, they will cost you a bit more but at least you’ll know that your pump is in good hands and that’s what matters the most at the end of the day.
Conclusion
Maintenance might seem like a lot of work, but if you keep an eye out for those tiny things, then you’ll catch problems in time and there won’t be any major issues with your submersible pump. It’s best to get help from an expert well pump service Loudoun County for your submersible well pump maintenance and repair.