Water Well FAQ's

Question: My well system seems to be working fine. Why should I consider having it maintained?

Answer: Well systems sometimes can go extensive periods of time without seemingly any concerns. However, a system that is not regularly maintained can unknowingly experience wear and tear on the system components that ultimately cause excessive energy usage, resulting in higher electric bills.  Also, the multiple mechanical components of a well system do lose their proper calibrations over time, resulting in loss of life expectancy to the well pump and or water storage tank. The two most expensive items to replace on a well pumping system.

Question: When should I consider calling in a professional to look at my well system?

Answer: Your water well system should be checked at least once a year and anytime you experience any of the following: unexplained higher electric bill, air spurts in the water, loss of water pressure, system is making strange noises or clicking sounds, change in odor or appearance of the water. Water issues that may seem small and trivial could also mean just a small repair or adjustment is needed.  Should any of these issues go without being addressed, eventually may result in a costly repair and even worse, losing your water all together, requiring an emergency service call. 

Question: I have always experienced low water pressure. Is there anything that can be done about this?

Answer: Absolutely. There can be a vast number of reasons of why you are experiencing low water pressure.  Most of the time the problem can be addressed with an easy adjustment or sometimes there is a bigger issue going on within the system that needs to be corrected. Some examples of these would be a leak in a pipe, either in the well itself or under the ground between the well and the house, an older weak pump that needs to be replaced, minerals clogging up the system restricting water flow.  Ultimately there is no real reason why you need to continually suffer or deal with low water pressure. Having a simple system checkup can diagnose the reason behind the issue.

Question: What is the tank that is my basement? Is this the well pump?

Answer: A water storage tank, usually blue in color, is exactly that.  A holding tank that stores water until it is empty, then tells the pump to turn on and draw water from the well.  The pump, typically located in the well, will then turn off once the water storage tank is full again.  This allows the well pump not to have to turn on every time you use the water for a drink of water or to flush the toilet for example. Having a larger water storage tank, even further helps to extend the life of the pump by holding more water, the pump is not required to run as often.  The water storage tank has two internal parts, an air chamber in the top that holds air pressure and a water diaphragm in the bottom where the water is stored.  Over time air chambers can loose their air pressure causing the water diaphragm to over extend, damaging the diaphragm and ultimately resulting in the tank prematurely failing.  Well pumps that turn on all the time because of a failed tank, do not get any rest and burn themselves up.  The number one cause of a pump prematurely burning up is because of a failed water storage tank.  The only way to avoid this is having your system regularly maintained.

Question: What is a bedrock well and how is it constructed?

Answer: A bedrock well is a water well that taps into ledge a safe distance beneath the ground to access clean groundwater found moving through crevices. Bedrock Wells are constructed by drilling an eight-inch diameter hole into ten or twenty feet of solid ledge. On average, bedrock wells are 100 - 500 feet deep in Massachusetts. Depending on the groundwater in your area they may be deeper. When a new well is drilled, a six-inch diameter steel casing is set within the drilled hole. The casing prevents surface contaminants from entering the well.  When a bedrock well is installed, a water flow test is conducted to determine the well yield or the amount of water being produced. Wells are chlorinated to kill bacteria and then a pump, water line, and the water tank is installed. Electrical power is connected, and your well is tested to ensure it is functioning properly. 

Contact Cummings Well & Pump Services Inc. at (508) 829-0080 for new wells or well repair.

Talk To An Expert About Water Well Service, Repair or Replacement

We Provide the following Services

• Water Well Preventative Maintenance
• Water Well Inspections
• Water Quality Testing
• Chlorination
• Well Yield Testing
• Well Video Camera Inspections
• Water Well Pressure Tanks
• Well Pump Replacement and Service
• Hydro-Fracturing
• Water Well Drilling