Homes on wells around the valley
Much of rural Roanoke County, including areas like Bent Mountain, Back Creek, Catawba and parts of Bonsack, relies on private wells. The Virginia Department of Health notes that about 20% of Virginians use a private well as their main water source, and that keeping the well and its water safe is the owner's responsibility (Roanoke Health District, VDH Private Well Program).
Signs your well system needs work
| What you notice | Common cause |
|---|---|
| No water at any tap | Tripped breaker, failed pressure switch, or failed pump |
| Pump clicks on and off every few seconds | Waterlogged or failed pressure tank |
| Pressure slowly dropping, pump runs constantly | Worn pump, leak in the drop pipe, or low water level |
| Spurting faucets, air in the lines | Low water level or a leak on the suction side |
| Electric bill suddenly higher | Pump running more than it should |
| Sediment, cloudy or discolored water | Pump set too low, worn well screen, or water quality change |
What to check before you call
- Look for a tripped breaker labeled "well" or "pump" and reset it once. If it trips again, stop and call.
- Read the pressure gauge near the tank. Many systems run between about 30 and 50, or 40 and 60, psi.
- Listen at the pressure switch when a tap is open. Clicking with no water flow points to the pump or wiring.
- Don't repeatedly reset or tap on the switch. Running a pump dry can ruin it.
Common repairs
- Pressure switch replacement, often a quick fix when contacts burn out.
- Pressure tank replacement when the bladder fails and the pump short-cycles.
- Submersible pump replacement, which means pulling the pump, drop pipe and wire from the well.
- Control box and capacitor repairs on three-wire pump systems.
- Constant-pressure systems with a variable-speed drive, for steadier shower pressure.
Pump and well work is a specialty, so ask whether the contractor's Virginia license covers water well systems. New well construction is permitted through the local health department; for Roanoke County, the Roanoke Health District handles well applications.
Test the water after a repair
The Virginia Department of Health recommends testing well water once a year, and again whenever you replace or repair any part of the well system, using a state-certified lab (VDH well testing guide). It also points well owners to the Virginia Household Water Quality Program's low-cost testing clinics.
Common questions
How long do well pumps last?
Many submersible pumps run for well over a decade, but life depends on water quality, how often the pump cycles and whether the pressure tank is healthy. A failing tank shortens pump life fast.
Why does my pump keep turning on and off?
Rapid cycling usually means the pressure tank has lost its air charge or its bladder has failed. Replacing the tank promptly protects the pump.
Do I have to test my water after a pump replacement?
It isn't required, but the Virginia Department of Health recommends it any time part of the well system is repaired or replaced.