What Pressure Symptom Are You Experiencing?
Water Pressure Rises & Falls Dramatically During Showers
Likely Cause: Waterlogged Pressure Tank or Ruptured Bladder
The 4 Most Common Causes of Well Pressure Drop
1. Failing Pressure Tank (Waterlogged Bladder)
Your pressure tank contains an internal rubber bladder surrounded by pressurized air (usually pre-charged to 38 PSI for a 40/60 switch). When the rubber bladder fatigues and tears, water enters the air chamber. Without compressed air to act as a spring, the tank cannot buffer water demand. The pump turns on within seconds of opening a faucet and slams off immediately upon closing it, leading to intense pressure fluctuations and premature motor burnout.
2. Burned or Pitted Pressure Switch Contacts
The electromechanical pressure switch (typically mounted on the tank manifold) turns 240V power on and off to the pump. Over thousands of cycles, electrical arcing burns and pits the copper contacts. Bugs (ants, earwigs) often crawl between contacts, creating carbon deposits that prevent the switch from closing properly, causing sporadic water delivery.
3. Clogged Whole-House Sediment / Water Filtration Units
Many New England homes have a 5-micron or 20-micron sediment filter or a water softening/iron filter installed directly after the pressure tank. Over 3 to 6 months, iron precipitate, silt, and manganese accumulate inside the filter cartridge, causing severe friction head loss. While pressure at the tank reads a healthy 50 PSI, pressure at your upstairs bathroom shower head drops to an unusable 15 PSI.
4. Constant Pressure VFD Upgrade: The Ultimate Modern Solution
Tired of conventional pressure swings between 40 and 60 PSI? A Constant Pressure Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) controller (like Pentek Intellidrive or Goulds Aquavar) regulates pump speed digitally. When one person takes a shower, the pump runs at 35% speed. When someone starts the dishwasher and irrigation system, the drive smoothly accelerates to 90% speed, maintaining a steady, lock-tight 60 PSI across every fixture.
Frequently Asked Questions: Low Well Pressure
Why is my well water pressure surging up and down while I shower?
Surging or fluctuating pressure is almost always caused by a waterlogged pressure tank. When the internal rubber diaphragm ruptures, water fills the entire tank without compressed air to cushion it. The pump rapidly turns on and off every few seconds (short-cycling), causing noticeable pressure pulses and threatening to burn out the pump motor.
Can I adjust my well pressure switch to increase water pressure?
Standard New England well systems operate on a 30/50 PSI or 40/60 PSI pressure switch. While adjusting the large nut inside the pressure switch can raise cut-in and cut-out thresholds, the pre-charge air pressure in your tank MUST be adjusted to match (always 2 PSI below cut-in). If raised beyond the pump motor rating, the pump may run continuously without shutting off.
What is a Constant Pressure VFD system and does it fix low pressure?
A Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) constant pressure controller monitors water demand in real time with a digital transducer. Instead of cycling on and off between 40 and 60 PSI, it ramps pump speed up and down smoothly, maintaining exact 60 PSI pressure like city municipal water even when showers, washing machines, and outdoor hoses run simultaneously.
How long do well pressure tanks typically last in New England?
Quality pre-charged diaphragm pressure tanks (such as Amtrol Well-X-Trol) typically last between 8 and 14 years. Acidic water (pH below 6.5) or high dissolved minerals can accelerate internal bladder degradation, leading to waterlogging.
Get Strong, Steady Water Pressure Restored Today
Our service trucks carry replacement Amtrol pressure tanks, Goulds submersible pumps, digital transducers, and pressure switches to resolve low-pressure calls in a single visit.