2006-09-15 09:41:41 · 9 answers · asked by Anthony H 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
In a well pump system you also have a pressure tank that 'boost the pressure of the water. It can go bad because of the 'bladder'. If the air pressure is low in the tank. Your water pressure will also be low. I would call a pro.
2006-09-15 12:30:33 · answer #1 · answered by wowwhatwasthat 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ok,Pete D was right about the "pressure switch".
You can set it up a bit higher by adusting the points (turning the "nut", under one of the springs. You have two springs, one to turn it off, and one to turn it on). I have seen many pressure switches go "bad" as they dont kick on, or off when they are supposed to. Then, you have to replace them.
Now, as for setting it higher, well, if the pressure was good before this, then its either the pressure switch is bad, or the bladder in your air container has sprung a leak.
After the pump has "cycled", tap on the air pressure tank and see how far the water is up there. (you should also have a pressure valve on the tank, too, to show how much pressure is in the tank, it should be coming off one of the main lines at the bottom, not the drain valve, but the other side).
I believe you should have 20psi pressure in the tank. If not, then you will have "short cycling" of the pump, and it will keep kicking off and on, every minute, whether water is being used or not. (Also, if your check valve is bad, it will do this too, but, on most check valves, you have a bleeeder and water will leak or spray out of it).
As I say, a lot of times, if the tank is old, 10+ years or so, theres a good chance that the rubber has lost its integrity, and you will have to replace the entire tank. Try the pump on the top of the tank, and pump it up to 20 psi. After a few cycles, you will notice that the pressure will go down, if you have a busted bladder. Also, if it takes you forever and a day to attain the 20 psi with a bicycle pump, then you are "charging" the entire system, and the bladder is busted. I havent seen a bladderless air container yet, on a pressurized system.
Now, as a note, I WOULD NOT put the pump on a switch, and have it "feed" directly to your appliances. If the pressure is too high, (the head of the pump will determine the psi is has), then you can have severe water hammer and bust pipes. If you have a pressure guage on the inlet line of the water lines, then you can guage how many psi's are going into your system. If its around 40 to 65 it "may" be safe, but, thats only if the check valve at the pump is operating properly! If it sticks, and the water drains back into the pump, and you suddenly kick it on, and that water "pounds" the pipes, you may have a busted line or hose. Thats why they put the pressurized bladders in, to act like a buffer, between the pump and the water system.
I wish you well..
Jesse
2006-09-15 18:46:03 · answer #2 · answered by x 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The system is composed of the pressure item (? can't remember the name) pump, depth of the pump under the normal water line and the recharge rate of the well.
You have to consider all of them except the pressure item. If the ground water level has gone down over the years due to the number of users it maybe that the pump needs to be lowered.
Of course the pump may be going bad.
And then maybe the recharge rate isn't there. None of this is good news except lowering the pump, assuming the well was dug deep enough in the first place.
Unless you've been living with this for sometime I suggest a call to a plumber, whatever is going south will fail one day and it will NOT be at a convenient time.
May the repair be reasonable.
2006-09-15 09:54:50 · answer #3 · answered by madjer21755 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You may be jumping to a conclusion. The first thing to check is the pressure switch on the pressure tank or near the pump. There will be an adjustment that will set at what pressure the pump will start and at what pressure it will stop. Second, and probably more likely you will need to check if your pressure tank has a bladder in it or not. I get the impression that the pressure used to be higher, indicating that something must have happened to cause it to get lower. If the bladder broke, the pressure will decrease dramatically except for when the pump is actually running. If the tank is bladder less, you simply need to attach a bicycle pump onto the tank and fill it with air. A bad check valve also could be causing your problem
2006-09-15 13:28:11 · answer #4 · answered by Pete D 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
PeteD has the correct answer for this,, along with maybe getting a larger tank!! A larger tank would give you more water under the same or higher pressure,,, I have three wells and they all pretty much have the same problem,, the in pipe pump works best,, the water pressure comes straight from the pump and does not depend on tank pressure!!
2006-09-15 18:23:33 · answer #5 · answered by fuzzykjun 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like your well pump isn't delivering enough pressure in the lines anymore. Check to see if you can raise the pressure, typically homes should have around 40-60psi at the main depending on the size of the house.
You may need a new pump as you've already surmised if you can't adjust it.
2006-09-15 09:51:30 · answer #6 · answered by Lauren 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it could be that the washing machine is pulling more water than your pump can supply. If this is now starting after being ok for a while, then the well pump is probably losing enough strength to render it obsolete.
Pumps aren't taht expensive, but changing then out can be.
Good luck
2006-09-15 09:49:07 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Check the water filter in your softener. We are also on a well, and when we start losing pressure, it's usually because the filter needs changed. Good Luck !!
2006-09-15 09:53:52 · answer #8 · answered by lisa46151 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sounds like your pipes are plugged with minerals from well. how's water presure? check pump's fuses?
2006-09-15 10:08:23 · answer #9 · answered by enord 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋