For the Centreville Homes That Still Have Wells
Most of Centreville is on public water. If you pay a water bill, a pressure problem is a question for your utility, and we would rather tell you that than send a truck. Out on the edges toward Clifton, though, some homes in 20120 and 20121 still have private wells, and every one of them has a pressure tank doing quiet work in a basement or utility room.
That tank is why your shower feels steady. When it fails, the pressure does not usually vanish. It starts to swing.
Not sure which one you have? Look for a well cap in the yard and a tank with a gauge and a pressure switch where the water line comes into the house. If you find those, this page is for you.
The Pulse in the Shower
The complaint usually sounds like this. Pressure is fine for a moment, then drops, then surges back, and it repeats every few seconds while the water runs. Down by the tank, the pump is clicking on and off to match.
That rhythm usually means the tank has lost its air cushion. Without it, the tank cannot hold a reserve, so the pump fills it in seconds, shuts off, then starts again almost right away. It is called short cycling, and it is one of the hardest things a pump can go through. Other signs that tend to show up alongside it:
- Air spitting from a faucet when the pump kicks on
- A tank that sounds full of water when you knock on the top
- A pump that runs more often than it used to
- Water dripping from the air valve on top of the tank
If you want to read up before you call, our post on low water pressure on a well covers other causes too.
Short cycling rarely fixes itself. The longer it goes on, the more starts the pump takes, so it is worth a call sooner rather than later.
Pressure Tank Replacement in Centreville or a Constant Pressure System?
For most homes, a new tank is the straightforward fix. We install Well-X-Trol tanks sized to your pump and household, and the pressure goes back to rising and falling smoothly between the switch’s on and off points.
Some homeowners want more than that. A constant pressure system uses a pump that speeds up and slows down to hold pressure steady at every tap. We install them from Grundfos, Gould and Myers. They still use a tank, usually a smaller one. They make the most sense when the pump is also due for replacement, since the whole setup changes at once. Our well pump and constant pressure service explains how they work.
We will lay out both options honestly. If the pump is healthy and only the tank has failed, pressure tank replacement in Centreville is usually the sensible choice. There is no reason to replace a good pump just to change how the pressure feels.
Why the New Tank Has to Be Balanced
A new tank straight from the box is not set for your home. Its air charge has to match your pressure switch. Common settings are 30-50, 40-60 and 60-80, with 40-60 the most common. With the well breaker off and the water run down, the tank’s air should sit about 2 psi under the low number. On a 40-60 switch, that is around 38.
Set too high or too low, even a brand new tank can short cycle or deliver weak pressure. We balance every tank we install, then watch the system through full cycles before we leave. See our pressure tank replacement page for more.
Once it is set, you can keep an eye on it yourself. A tire gauge on the air valve, with the breaker off and the water drained, is all it takes. It should read the same number we set on day one. Leave the switch alone, though. Adjusting it is not a homeowner job.
Tank, Switch or Pump?
Pressure trouble has more than one cause, and guessing gets costly. A failing pressure switch can act like a bad tank. A leak in the line from the well can make the pump run when nothing is on. A worn pump may take a long time to build pressure. We check each piece during a free diagnosis before we replace anything.
A running toilet is worth ruling out first. A leaky flapper can keep the pump starting all day and make a good tank look like a bad one. Listen near each toilet, or put a few drops of food coloring in the toilet tank and see if it shows up in the bowl.
If the pump turns out to be the issue, see well pump repair in Centreville. Pump installs carry a 5-year warranty. It is also a fine time for well water testing in Centreville, since a bacteria test is widely recommended after any work on the well.
Near Route 28, Route 29 and I-66
Centreville is in Fairfax County, next door to our Prince William County service area. We also handle pressure tank replacement in Clifton and pressure tank replacement in Woodbridge. Oasis Well Service is family owned, licensed and insured, and John Lindgren and his crew answer around the clock. Emergency? Call 703-776-0996. For a tank that is acting up, call 703-791-3981.