Tank alone, or tank and pump together?
Haymarket has a lot of rural lots, and many of those wells have been working for years. When the pump starts short cycling or the pressure gets jumpy, homeowners often ask us the same thing: is it the tank, the pump, or both? It is a fair question, and the answer depends on the age and condition of each part. We check both before we recommend anything, because guessing wrong costs you money either way.
A pressure tank that has lost its air makes the pump start and stop far more than it should. If the tank is caught early, a new tank is often all you need, and the pump settles right back down. If the pump has been short cycling for a long time, or it is already getting up there in age, it may make sense to plan for both.
A well pump lasts on average 10 to 15 years, depending on the static water level, the depth of the well, the water quality and how much water you use. If yours is well into that range, we will tell you, and you can decide whether to replace both now or keep the pump running. Our article on how long a well pump lasts explains the factors in more detail.
Where constant pressure fits in
Some Haymarket homeowners want steadier pressure than a standard system can give. That is where a constant pressure system comes in. Instead of a pump that runs full speed between a low and high setting, a constant pressure pump adjusts its speed to match how much water you are using. The shower stays even when someone runs the kitchen tap.
Constant pressure systems still use a pressure tank, though usually a smaller one. So if you are already facing pressure tank replacement in Haymarket and your pump is aging, it can be a good time to talk it through. We install Gould, Myers and Grundfos pumps and constant pressure systems, and pump installs carry our 5-year warranty. You can learn more on our well pump repair and constant pressure page.
Not every home needs it. For many households, a new standard tank matched to the existing pump is the simplest, most sensible fix. We will tell you which one fits your situation. You will not get a sales pitch, just the pros and cons as we see them for your house and your well.
What a failing tank sounds and feels like
- The pressure switch clicks on and off in quick bursts while water is running.
- Shower pressure pulses from strong to weak.
- The tank sounds solid, like it is full of water, when you knock on the upper half.
- The gauge needle jumps instead of sweeping slowly.
- Water comes out when you press the air valve on top of the tank.
To check the air charge yourself, turn the well breaker OFF, run cold water until it stops, and use a tire gauge on the valve on top of the tank. It should read about 2 psi under the low setting of your switch. On the common 40-60 setting, that means around 38. Please leave the switch cover closed and stay away from the wiring. Our guide to checking your pressure tank pressure covers each step.
Pressure tank replacement in Haymarket, start to finish
Call 703-791-3981 and tell us what you are noticing. Haymarket is on our regular route, so we can usually come out and look. Diagnosis is free within reason.
We check the tank, the switch and the pump together. If the tank needs replacing, we install a Well-X-Trol tank sized to your home and pump. Then we set the air charge to match your switch, run the system through several full cycles, and check for leaks. The work meets county code, and we are licensed and insured. Before we leave, we show you the gauge, the air valve and the breaker, so you know what normal looks like on your own system. For more on the tank side, see our main pressure tank replacement page.
After a storm or a power outage
Summer storms roll through Haymarket, and sometimes the water stops right after the power comes back. That is not always the tank. Some pressure switches have a low-pressure cutoff with an external lever. After a power outage, that kind of switch can drop out and will not restart on its own until it is reset.
First check that the well breaker is on. If you still have no water, call us. We can often talk you through what you are seeing, and we will come reset or repair it safely. Our article on losing water after a power outage explains more. If you are completely out of water, call our emergency line at 703-776-0996 or see our page on emergency well service in Haymarket.
Around Haymarket
Oasis Well Service is family owned, founded in 1987 by Ken Lindgren and run today by his son John, with grandson Brandon on the crew. We serve homes along Route 15, Route 55 and I-66. For pump problems, visit our Haymarket well pump repair page. We also replace tanks in nearby Gainesville and Catharpin, and across Prince William County.