{"id":2612,"date":"2023-09-05T09:35:14","date_gmt":"2023-09-05T16:35:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/support.cleanwaterstore.com\/blog\/?p=2612"},"modified":"2026-10-11T14:47:56","modified_gmt":"2026-10-11T21:47:56","slug":"understanding-home-well-water-pump-pressure-systems","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cleanwaterstore.com\/blog\/understanding-home-well-water-pump-pressure-systems\/","title":{"rendered":"How Do Home Well Water Pump and Pressure Systems Work?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Knowing the basics of how a well pressure tank and pump system functions is important when selecting a water treatment system<\/a>. Using the wrong type of treatment system can adversely affect the water pressure and flow rate inside the home.<\/p>\n

\"Hand<\/p>\n

How Water Pressure Impacts Treatment Systems<\/h2>\n

For example, if the well uses a pressure tank, install the water treatment system after the pressure tank to avoid damaging the well pump. There are two exceptions, both of which belong before the tank: a centrifugal sand separator, which keeps abrasive sand out of the tank and pump, and chemical injection, where a peroxide or chlorine metering pump injects ahead of the tank so the tank provides contact time.<\/p>\n

When you open a faucet in your home or turn on the shower or bath, you expect water to flow at a certain rate and with good water pressure.<\/p>\n

Water pressure in your pipes and pressure system causes your water to flow. If your home is on city utilities, your local water company or utility controls water pressure.<\/p>\n

What Happens When the Pump Turns On?<\/h2>\n

If your home is on a well, you need a pump and pressure tank to build that pressure unless you have a storage tank high enough on a hill nearby to get gravity pressure. Some folks will have a cistern water pump system, where the water is stored in an underground concrete or fiberglass tank called a cistern.<\/p>\n

The pressure tank in your well system creates water pressure by using compressed air. Because of this pressure, when you open a valve or faucet in your home, the tank pushes water out through the pipes in your home.<\/p>\n

When the water in the pressure tank drops below a preset level, a pressure switch turns on the pump. The pump then refills the pressure tank.<\/p>\n

What is the Role of a Check Valve?<\/h2>\n

A check valve (a one-way valve) keeps the pressure in your pressure tank from flowing back down the well. The combination of the pressure tank, pressure switch, check valve, and pump allows water to flow through your home.<\/p>\n

Understanding Pressure Settings (PSI)<\/h2>\n

Pressure tanks, which also act as mini storage tanks for your home, are generally set to keep pressure within 20 pounds per square inch (PSI) of your start and stop settings.<\/p>\n

\"PSI<\/p>\n

For example, many homes on well water have the pressure set to turn on at 40 PSI and off at 60 PSI. If the pressure drops<\/a> below 40 PSI, the pump turns on and brings the pressure back to 60 PSI before turning off the pump again.<\/p>\n

The pressure tank acts as a reservoir and allows water to be drawn from the tank without the pump turning on and off each time the water is turned on.<\/p>\n

This protects the pump and extends its life. A pressure tank also reduces instances of “water hammer,” reduces air in the pipes, and controls the pressure in your water system.<\/p>\n

Here is more information on typical well pressure tank installation. This describes a submersible well pump, not an above-ground well pump.<\/p>\n

Some folks will ask, “Where is the well pump located?” You can find it in various places \u2014 pump sheds, underground vaults, or the middle of a field \u2014 but it’s usually somewhere a pumping rig can drive in and service it.<\/p>\n

Well Water Pump and Pressure System Basics<\/h2>\n
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\"Diagram<\/p>\n

A submersible pump or jet pump automatically pumps most well water out of the ground \u2014 the submersible pump works underground, while the jet pump sits on top of the ground and draws water up to create water pressure for the home.<\/p>\n

Some well water systems store water in a large storage tank before pumping it again to the house. Other well water systems are gravity-fed and use gravity to provide water pressure to the house.<\/p>\n

\"Photo
Well Pressure Tank Installation<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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How Does a Well Work?<\/h2>\n

A home water system has two important components besides the well itself \u2013 a pump and a pressure tank.\"Diagram<\/a><\/p>\n

Well Pumps<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n

There are many types and sizes of pumps for a home pressurized water system. Some pumps only remove water from a source. Others not only remove the water but also force it through the rest of the water system. Most homes in the U.S. and Canada use submersible pumps. Submersible well pumps have a proven track record for reliability.<\/p>\n

Homeowners typically use a shallow well jet pump when the groundwater is no more than about 30 feet deep. Jet pumps use a jet that pumps some water back down the well and allows the pump to draw up water to the surface.<\/p>\n

Some pumps are for special jobs such as boosting pressure or supplying a special outlet. Install booster pumps<\/a> after<\/em> a storage tank.<\/p>\n

\"Stainless<\/a><\/p>\n

Pressure Tanks<\/h2>\n

Pressure tanks provide storage for your water system. There are three general types of water storage tanks:<\/p>\n