How to Increase Water Pressure from a Well (Pump Running)

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning we get a small commission if you make a purchase through our links, at no cost to you. For more information, please visit our Disclaimer Page.

In case you have a household with a well, then a possible drop in water pressure is definitely going to be annoying. All sorts of things that you already did with ease will now become a real tough job. Just imagine showering with low water pressure, it takes a lot of time.

So, what exactly do you need to do in order to fix this kind of problem? Well, the answer is not that simple.

Since the whole well system depends on different components and the water pressure is only one of them, you will most likely need to do some repairs.

Anyhow, let’s see how to increase water pressure from a well.

how-to-increase-water-pressure-from-a-well

Well Pump Runs but No Water Pressure

1. Check Your Pipes

In some cases, low water pressure might be caused by clogged pipes that are full of mineral and sediment build-ups. This build-up is the only normal thing to happen if the area where you live is rich with water with minerals.

Some people immediately think of a pressure control switch when they have low water pressure. But, it is important to check the pipes first. It can happen that these build-ups simply won’t let water to get through the pipe fast enough which results in a significant drop of water pressure.

Anyhow, after you check pipes for clogs, it is always a good idea to check showerheads and inspect them as well. Sometimes, water pressure is actually fine, but the build-up on a showerhead won’t allow water to run fast.

If pipes are indeed clogged, take some time to clean out the pipes.

2. Pressure Tank Adjustment

More often than not, the real cause of low water pressure is located in a pressure tank. Namely, a pressure tank is only a part of the whole well system that pumps water through your pipes.

Now, typically, pressure tanks have some kind of gauges that will always tell you the exact amount of water pressure that is flowing through the pipes. And, you should definitely consider increasing the water pressure if it is below 40 PSI.

However, it is not a good idea to go over 60 PSI since that can damage your whole water system and your drain pipes. Some of the most common failures that can happen are water pipe breakage, switch failure, and possible leaks.

water-pump

So, in order to adjust the pressure tank, you will need to follow these few steps.

  1. Turn Off Circuit breaker – First, you will need to turn the circuit breaker off. This will leave your water pump without power and you can safely adjust the pressure tank.
  2. Locate Air fill valve –Next, you need to find an air fill valve and do the reading with a pressure gauge. Simply locate the air fill valve, it is usually on top of the tank. Attach the pressure gauge and get the exact reading of your water pressure.
  3. Adjust the pressure switch – Now, it is quite important to know what to do when you read the water pressure. If you are positive the problem is located here, then you simply need to adjust the pressure via a pressure switch.
  4. Do readings one more time – After that, you need to read the pressure once again to confirm that the pressure is now at a proper level.

Once you did all of the steps that we listed above, you should turn the circuit breaker back to normal and test the pressure inside your well pump. In case nothing happens, then the problem is located somewhere else.

3. Installation of a New Pressure System

Sometimes, you just have to install a new pressure system to assist your pressure tank in order to do its job properly. This will increase water pressure inside your pipes and you can easily go back to having nice pressure.

So, this piece of equipment is installed somewhere on the water line. It is the best to install it where the water line enters your home so you can prevent dropping of the water pressure when using multiple fixtures.

You simply need to call your local plumber since this is not a job that you can handle without any plumbing knowledge. Anyhow, having a low pressure inside your water pump surely is annoying and it will not allow you to do things as you usually have.

It is the best to do this as soon as possible since a low water pressure can damage your pipes and it can create even worse problems.

well-pump-runs-but-no-water-pressure

Conclusion: How to Increase Water Pressure from a Well

In the light of everything we said above, it is surely noticeable that fixing water pressure and increasing it in your well pump is not that easy. Once you have low water pressure problems, you simply need to fix it as soon as possible.

Just remember to do it carefully and slowly since dealing with a pressure tank and installation of a new pressure system is not an easy job. It requires a steady hand and a bit of plumbing knowledge.