We just bought a new home with a well system (which is new to me) in place that was approximately 3 years old. Unfortunately, the water pressure in the home keeps dropping and we keep running out. We had a well technician come out and exam the pump. He concluded that everything was working properly with the well but our water in the well was down to the level of the pump. He thought we might need a new well dug. I then started turning off the pump and water to the house when away so that I could see what happened upon returning. Within a couple days, water pressure was up and we seem fine. Then, one morning I awoke to the sound of water running. I checked the whole house (including toilets). No water was visibly running anywhere inside or out but it certainly was rushing out the pipes. The water pressure went to zero within 10 minutes. How can water be running out of the lines and draining the pump and well when nothing is on?
2006-10-20 05:44:12 · 12 answers · asked by jhartley17 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
It's possible that the pipe from the well to the house has burst. This happened to me several years ago and I had to dig it up and fix it. I did have water pressure in the house but it was low and the pump cycled often. Also, there was a spring suddenly in my back yard! I foolishly thought that it was the result of all the recent rain but it was a burst pipe.
Other than that, I suggest calling a well company to have a technician look at your system. Something is clearly wrong. Good luck!
2006-10-20 05:55:25 · answer #1 · answered by svcbench 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I just had to replace my pump and the plastic pipe that runs from the submersible pump (you didn't say if you had a jet pump or submersible) because the pump totally corroded out after 30 years.
You might have a leak somewhere. But if that pump cycles continuously or is on a lot while you have everything off, then there is a leak or an open faucet somewhere.
Here's what you do. Shut the "whole house water valve" to the OFF position and see if the pumping stops. that way, you'll know if the leak is INSIDE the house or is part of the pumping system.
There should be a valve (shut off) between the air tank and the rest of the house. use that one. Keep an eye on that pressure gauge!!
You heard water rushing somewhere. THERE HAS GOT TO BE A LEAK.... Keep looking!!
2006-10-20 05:55:35 · answer #2 · answered by a1tommyL 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like the water table has dropped, or a possible leak down the well casing. EDITED Can you disconnect the pipe from the pump(pressure side) then let the pump run wide open to see what happens. If the the water level in the well has lowered what is possible happening is that when you are running the well it will draw the water then suck a little air then water then air .. If you disconnect pressure side you should get a constant stream of water, if it cycles you need to lower the well as water is not getting to the well point fast enough. Do you have an idea how deep well is????
2016-03-28 02:34:03 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds as if you may have a hole in the line going into the well. Or possibly under the house or in the walls. If you have a basement you should find leak with no problem. If you do not have basement you will have to get into crawl space under house to find leak. If you do not find leak in house you will then have to look at line going in well. Must be pretty bad leak to go to zero withing 10 minutes. If it is a jet pump it will have a check valve on end of line inside and at bottom of well sometimes these check valves get gravel in them and will not check and will continuously drain water from tank, this will cause pump to run continuously and could have been your problem all of the time.
2006-10-20 06:02:35 · answer #4 · answered by RoeB 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like a water leak somewhere. Now if the pump pressure builds up and shuts off the pump,then drops down with nothing open and is going back down the well,it's the check valve in the pump.
2006-10-20 06:00:53 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You might have a leak in your supply pipe underground. Having another look around for leaks might be a good idea. If the water is down to the level of the pump then you need to have the well deepened. Probably another 100-150 feet if you are just at the waterline now. Then you won't have to worry about it ever again.
2006-10-20 05:58:46 · answer #6 · answered by dantheman_028 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would check the flow back preventer valve. It holds the pressure in the tank and prevents the water from draining back into the well when the pump is off.
You could also have a partually blocked well point preventing water from entering the system.
2006-10-21 04:34:20 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's one of two things.
1. You have a broken pipe somewhere.
2. Your well is not producing enough water.
Have a well driller come out and check your well. And have them tell you how many gallons per minute it produces. If it produces a descent rate of water then you probably have a leak somewhere. If not, you are probably running your well dry from time to time and therefore the lack of pressure. Which means you may have to have your well drilled deeper. Sometimes they can drill it deeper inside the old well and sometimes they have to drill a new well altogether.
2006-10-20 09:13:48 · answer #8 · answered by devilishblueyes 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like you may need to repair the check valve, or foot valve in you well pipe. I would also check that the pressure and the pressure switch in your tank is okay. Hard to know without looking at it. Best bet call a plumber that your neighbors or friends recommend.
2006-10-20 06:06:32 · answer #9 · answered by Jeffrey M 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like your pressure relief valve went bad try replacing it
2006-10-20 05:55:05 · answer #10 · answered by lefty_miller 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋