My well pump keeps cycling on and off, even when no water's running. What's going on?
Ah, the dreaded short-cycling. That's a pretty common call we get here at Midway Well Drilling, and it usually points to a few things. Most often, the culprit is your pressure tank. See, that tank has an air bladder inside, and if it's lost its charge or the bladder itself is ruptured, the pump doesn't have anywhere to push the water to build pressure. So, what happens? It kicks on, builds pressure instantly, then shuts right off, only to lose that pressure just as fast. It could also be a small leak somewhere in your system, maybe a running toilet you haven't even noticed, or even a tiny pinhole in a pipe underground. We'd definitely check the tank first, then start looking for those sneaky leaks.
My water pressure suddenly dropped way down. Is my pump dying?
Not necessarily, though it's certainly a possibility. A sudden drop in pressure can be a real head-scratcher, no doubt about it. Sometimes it's as simple as a clogged sediment filter that just needs changing. If you've got one, check that first – it's an easy fix. It could also be a partially closed valve somewhere in your system, or maybe a pressure switch that's gone bad and isn't telling the pump to kick on at the right pressure. If it's none of those, then we'd start looking at the pump itself, or even the well casing for issues like sand intrusion. Down here in Gulfport, with our sandy soils, sometimes a well screen can get clogged up over time, restricting that flow. What a pain!
My well water smells like rotten eggs. What's that awful smell, and can it be fixed?
That's hydrogen sulfide gas, and yeah, it really stinks. It's usually caused by certain types of bacteria reacting with sulfur in your water or right there in the well. It's not typically harmful to drink in the concentrations you'd find in a well, but it sure makes showering and doing laundry unpleasant. The good news is, it's often fixable. We can shock chlorinate the well, which pretty much kills off the bacteria. Sometimes, though, if it's a persistent problem, you might need a more permanent solution like a whole-house filtration system – maybe an activated carbon filter or an aeration system. We'd test your water first, of course, to figure out the best approach.
I'm hearing weird banging or rattling noises from my well or pipes. Should I be worried?
Definitely pay attention to new noises. Banging, often called