Q&A for How to Increase Well Water Pressure

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Nothing seems to be working. What else could be wrong?

David Balkan
Professional Plumber
David Balkan is a Professional Plumber, CEO of Balkan Sewer and Water Main Service, and President of Balkan Sewer and Drain Cleaning. As a hands-on owner of these companies for over 40 years, David is knowledgeable about water service lines, sewers, and drain line issues. David is a Committee Chairman of the Master Plumbers Council and has sat on the Executive Committee of the Sub Surface Plumbers Association of New York for over 30 years. His knowledge and solution-oriented approach contributed to Balkan Sewer and Water Main Service being the largest and most trusted service in New York City and the recipient of the 2017 Angie’s List Super Service Award.

David Balkan

Professional Plumber

Expert Answer

It's important to keep in mind that there's water pressure and then there's water volume. You could have very low water volume available and high, adequate pressure. What that means is, if you check your water pressure with a gauge, it might be perfectly fine. However, if you flush your toilet or turn on a sink and that drops down dramatically, your problem isn't the pressure, it's the volume. Your pipes are inadequate or your source is inadequate.

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I replaced the pressure valve on the pressure tank. The tank pressure reads 38 psi. The new pressure valve reads 20 psi with no water running. open the faucet it drops to 18 psi,kicks in to 50 psi?

Upnorth Here

Top Answerer

In a bladder-tank, you can only "read" the pressure TANK residual with the water off and the tank empty of water, leaving only the air-pressure in the top portion. If your water pressure is normally sitting below the desired cut-in pressure (e.g., 30 psi), you may need to adjust the controller.

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Is the figure in Part 3 paragraph 2 correct? It shows Cut-in + 2psi. Should it be Cut-in - 2 psi?

Upnorth Here

Top Answerer

It should show cut-in pressure just below the typical 30 psi mark. That way, when a user opens a valve and the pressure in the system and tank drops below that, the controller will start the pump, bringing the pressure to the typical cut-out pressure of 50.

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The valve/knob on the top of my pressure tank was loose. Sometimes, I hear of clanking noise when flushing the toilet?

Upnorth Here

Top Answerer

The "knob" on the air valve on top of the pressure tank may just be a plastic dust cover that doesn't need to be tight. The other "knob" is often nothing more than a steel lifting point into which the manufacturer screwed an eye-bolt for lifting the unit with a crane. Clanking noise in the pipe may be caused by air in the system or by "water hammer", among other things.

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I am new to well systems. A few months back I forgot to turn off a hose sprinkler, the next morning the tank gauge was at 0 psi, I drained and lost 10psi. What should I do to regain that 10psi?

Upnorth Here

Top Answerer

Not clear how you had 0 psi and then "lost 10 psi" more. You may have "lost prime" in the well pump and could have a professional help you get it primed again, if not also install a safety switch to turn off the well when it gets down too far.

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How long does the pressure water tank for well water last? Pressure in our home is good, but the outside water spigot is not good.

Upnorth Here

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A quality air-pressure tank should last 10-15 years, if not even longer. Pressure within the system should be approximately equal for any faucet, unless there are problems with the pipes or valves to your outdoor spigot.

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