Yes, you can increase well water pressure, but the method depends on what's causing the low pressure
Low pressure from a well usually comes from one of three places: the pump itself is undersized or failing, the pressure tank has lost its air charge, or sediment is clogging the system. You can address each one. The cheapest fix is recharging the pressure tank. The most common fix is replacing or upgrading the pump. The most involved fix is cleaning or replacing the well itself if it has silted up.
Before you spend money, you need to know which problem you have. A pressure gauge costs $15 to $30 and tells you what your system is actually producing. Most household wells run between 40 and 60 pounds per square inch (psi). If you're below 30 psi, something is wrong. If you're at 40 psi but it feels weak, the problem may be flow rate rather than pressure — that's a different fix.
Key Takeaways
- A pressure tank that has lost its air charge is the cheapest problem to fix and can be recharged with a bicycle pump or air compressor for under $50.
- A failing or undersized pump is the most common cause of low pressure and typically costs $800 to $2,500 to replace, depending on well depth and pump type.
- Sediment buildup in the well or pressure tank can be flushed out, but if the well screen is damaged, the well may need to be redeveloped or replaced.
- A pressure gauge ($15 to $30) will tell you whether your system is producing low pressure or low flow, which determines what you actually need to fix.
Recharging the pressure tank is the first and cheapest step
A pressure tank holds water and air in separate chambers. The air side maintains pressure between pump cycles so your faucets don't lose pressure the moment the pump stops. Over time, the air charge leaks out or gets absorbed into the water, and the tank becomes waterlogged. When this happens, the pump runs constantly and pressure stays low.
You can check this yourself. Turn off power to the pump. Open a faucet and let the water drain completely. If water comes out for only a few seconds before stopping, the tank is waterlogged. A healthy tank should release water for 30 seconds or more.
To recharge it, you need to add air back into the air side of the tank. Locate the air valve on top of the tank — it looks like a tire valve. Use a bicycle pump or air compressor to add air until the gauge reads 2 psi below your system's cut-in pressure (usually 38 psi for a 40/60 system). Turn the pump back on and check your pressure at a faucet. This fix costs nothing if you have a pump, or $20 to $40 if you need to rent or buy one.
Replacing or upgrading the pump handles most pressure problems
If recharging the tank doesn't work, the pump itself is likely the problem. Pumps wear out, lose prime, or were undersized when the well was drilled. A pump that's too small for your household will never deliver the pressure you need, no matter how much you adjust it.
The type of pump you have determines the cost and complexity of replacement. Submersible pumps sit inside the well and cost $800 to $2,000 to replace, plus labor. Jet pumps sit above ground and cost $500 to $1,500. A well contractor can pull the pump, test it, and tell you whether it's failing or just undersized. If it's undersized, they can install a larger one rated for your household's peak demand — usually 10 to 15 gallons per minute for a family of four.
Before replacing the pump, have the contractor check the well itself for sediment or damage. If the well is clogged, cleaning it first may restore pressure without a new pump. If the well screen is cracked or the casing is corroded, a new pump won't solve the problem.
Flushing sediment from the well and tank
Sand, silt, and mineral buildup can clog the well screen, the pump intake, or the pressure tank. This reduces both pressure and flow. You can flush the system yourself if the buildup is light, or hire a contractor if it's severe.
To flush the tank, turn off the pump and close the inlet valve. Open the drain valve at the bottom of the tank and let water run until it runs clear. This usually takes 15 to 30 minutes. Reconnect everything and turn the pump back on. If pressure improves noticeably, sediment in the tank was the problem.
To flush the well itself, you need to run water backward through the system — a process called backflushing. This requires a contractor with the right equipment and knowledge of your well's construction. Backflushing costs $200 to $500 but can add years to a well's life. If backflushing doesn't work and the well screen is damaged, the well may need to be redeveloped (a more intensive cleaning) or replaced, which costs $3,000 to $8,000 depending on depth.
Adjusting the pressure switch and tank settings
Your pressure tank has a switch that tells the pump when to turn on and off. The factory setting is usually 40 psi cut-in (pump starts) and 60 psi cut-out (pump stops). You can adjust these settings to raise the minimum pressure, but only within limits.
To raise pressure, you increase the cut-in setting — for example, from 40 psi to 50 psi. This makes the pump run more often and hold higher pressure. However, raising it too high stresses the pump and tank and wastes energy. Most systems should not run above 80 psi. If you need pressure higher than 60 psi to get decent flow, the real problem is pump size or well output, not the switch setting.
Adjusting the switch requires turning a nut on top of the pressure switch with a wrench. If you're not comfortable doing this, a plumber can do it in 30 minutes for $75 to $150. Make small adjustments — a quarter turn at a time — and test the pressure before adjusting again.
When to call a well contractor instead of DIY
Some pressure problems are safe to troubleshoot yourself: recharging the tank, flushing the tank, or adjusting the pressure switch. Others require a contractor. If you need to pull the pump, inspect the well, or backflush the system, hire someone licensed in your state to work on wells. A bad repair can contaminate your water or damage the well permanently.
Get a written estimate before work begins. Most contractors charge $100 to $200 for a service call and diagnosis. If they recommend a new pump, ask whether they can test the old one first to confirm it's failing. If they recommend well replacement, ask whether backflushing or redevelopment was tried first — those are cheaper options that sometimes work.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my pressure tank is waterlogged?
Turn off the pump, open a faucet, and let water drain completely. If water stops flowing in less than 30 seconds, the tank is waterlogged. A healthy tank releases water for at least 30 seconds. You can also tap the tank with your knuckles — a waterlogged tank sounds hollow or full, while a charged tank sounds more solid.
Can I increase pressure by tightening the pressure switch?
Yes, but only within reason. Raising the cut-in pressure from 40 psi to 50 psi is safe and normal. Going above 80 psi stresses the pump and tank and wastes energy. If you need pressure above 80 psi to get decent flow, the pump is too small or the well output is too low — adjusting the switch won't fix that.
What's the difference between low pressure and low flow?
Pressure is how hard the water comes out; flow is how much water comes out. A pressure gauge measures psi. Low pressure means weak spray at the faucet. Low flow means water comes out slowly even if the spray is strong. They need different fixes — pressure problems are usually the pump or tank, while flow problems usually mean the well itself isn't producing enough water.
How much does it cost to replace a well pump?
A submersible pump replacement costs $800 to $2,500 including labor, depending on well depth and pump size. A jet pump costs $500 to $1,500. A service call to diagnose the problem costs $100 to $200. Get estimates from at least two contractors before deciding.
Can I increase pressure if my well is running dry?
No. If the well is producing less water than your household needs, pressure will stay low no matter what you do. A contractor can test the well's output to confirm this. Your options are then to drill a new well, install a storage tank to capture water over time, or reduce household water use.