Frequently Asked Questions
How much are your service calls?
Our service calls are $195.00 per hour. We do require a two hour minimum if we have to stand our truck up. You will be advised ahead of time if anything needs to be pulled. Unless other arrangements have been made with our office staff, payment is always due upon completion of your service work. If an emergency occurs after hours, on a weekend, or a holiday our after-hours labor rate is $295.00 for a service call and $295.00 per hour.
What do I need to do if my water smells?
Although this is a nuisance, this is a common problem. A “rotten egg” like smell is caused by Hydrogen Sulfide in your water. Iron can also cause a smell in your water. The best way to determine what is causing the smell is to have the water tested (we can do this onsite or in our office). Once we have determined what the smell is and what is causing it, we can discuss various options with you for eliminating the odor. Commonly systems will require an Iron/H2S Filter which we can install for you. This system is highly effective in eliminating the odor in your water as well as reducing iron build up inside your home. There are additional options that you have, however, this is the most common and frequently used remedy.
What do I do if my water is leaving residue in/on my appliances?
Build up can be caused by iron and/or the hardness of your water. Much like the odor of water we suggest first having your water tested for hardness (we can do this onsite or in our office). Once we determine the amount of hardness that is in your water we will discuss with you options to treat the hardness of your water. Typically a standard softener system will eliminate the buildup issue, and also allow for the water in your home to be soft. Just like high iron, this is an aggravating problem; however, it is common in this area.
What kind of maintenance do water treatment systems need?
The maintenance of water treatment systems vary depending on the equipment you have. For example, a chlorinator typically has to be serviced a couple of times a year to change the tube in it. A whole house cartridge filter needs to be replaced every 1 – 2 months like the A/C filter in your house. A water softener only needs to have salt added about every 3 – 4 months. But other than that, a water softener or Iron filter can go for a few years without needing any service.
Do you do bacteriological testing and what does this involve?
Yes, we can test for E-coli and Coliform. These are the most common types of bacteria people test for in their water. This involves taking the sample, sending it to a certified laboratory, and gathering the results of the test for you. There is no law that requires you to have your private well tested for bacteria, however if you are ever concerned we suggest that you have a Bacteriological Test of your water preformed.
What could be the cause of sudden low pressure?
Sudden low pressure can be caused by a number of things. It would be impossible to list every scenario. However, the most common causes of low pressure include; plugged water treatment equipment; hole in the pipe down the well; worn out pump, or a leak somewhere on your property that you are unaware of. Should you see a sudden decrease in your water pressure we suggest calling our office for a service call ASAP in order to prevent a ‘no water’ situation.
How can you tell if your tank is water logged? Can I un-water log my tank myself?
If you notice that your pump is turning on and off rapidly with even a small amount of water being used, then there is a good chance your tank is water logged. If you are a “do it yourselfer”, then you can unwater log your own tank. If you have a galvanized tank, turn the breaker off and open the faucet that is the closest to the tank, usually there is one at or near the tank on the plumbing. When water is no longer coming out, and the pressure gauge reads 0 psi, remove the gauge that is usually mounted on the side of the tank about half way up on the tank. This will allow air to suck in and will let the water escape out of the tank. If you have an air valve on the side of the tank, then you can pump air into it with a compressor until air starts coming out of the faucet you have opened. Once water has completely quit coming out of the faucet, you can replace the gauge, shut the faucet off, and turn the power back on,
If you have a bladder style tank, then after you have turned the breaker off and drained all of the water out of the tank, you can check the pressure on the air stem that is mounted on the top of the tank. It is like airing up a tire on your car. The air pressure in the tank should be 3 – 4 psi lower than the cut in of you pressure switch. So if you have a 30/50 pressure switch, then you should have 27psi in you tank. If you have a 40/60 switch, then you should have 36 –37psi in your tank. If your bladder tank has become water logged, then there is a good chance the bladder is bad and the tank may need to be changed. After you have checked and added air to the tank, then turn the faucet off, and turn the breaker back on.
What should I do if I all of a sudden have no water?
If you ever find yourself in a ‘no water’ situation we recommend that you call our office immediately. We will always be available to respond after hours, on the weekends, and on holidays. If your well doesn’t service a home or livestock, this is still a priority but during afterhours or weekends we will likely not service the well until the next working business day. Regardless, always call our office if you are in a no water situation.
Is there a way to reset my system myself?
We recommend that anytime you have a no water situation, you call our office. Or if it is the weekend, leave a message with our emergency service voicemail and a technician will call you back. You can turn the breaker off and back on, and some control boxes have a reset button on the bottom of them that you can push to try to reset it if it has tripped. Beyond that, we do not recommend that you attempt to do anything else because of the risk of electrical shock.
Is it important to keep my well house clean and the area surrounding my system clean?
Yes, it is extremely important to keep the area around your system clean. You would be amazed the type of damage insects and rodents can cause. One of our biggest suggestions is putting fire ant poison around your system during the peak seasons and/or during the rainy season. Pests and rodents can also cause damage. So preventing rodents (i.e. mice, rats, etc.) from accessing components of your system is also crucial.
Does your equipment have any warranties?
Yes, for residential pump applications that are 5 hp and less, new pump and motor complete units carry a five (5) year manufacturer’s warranty. However, sold separately they have a (1) year warranty. Bladder tanks also have a five (5) year warranty. Additionally our softener systems and iron filter system have a five (5) year warranty. These warranties cover manufacturing defects. They do not cover failures caused by environmental factors or acts of Mother Nature, like lightning damage, flood damage, or wind damage. Labor on equipment mentioned above is warrantied for 1 year. We will always itemize your invoice to depict warranties as they apply to any work we perform. We also maintain these records in our system so should we need to replace something under warranty we are well informed and have recorded the information.