Pump runs, pressure only gets to 20 psi
#1
06-17-08, 04:49 AM
Pump runs, pressure only gets to 20 psi
Hello,
I have an above ground well pump and pressure tank, and the condition of the actual well line is unknown, other than it appears to be galvanized.
Every now and then, the water will slow down in the middle of shower, dishes, laundry, etc. During this time, the well pump i srunning, but the pressure never builds up in the tank to anything more than 20 psi, therefor, the pump continues to run constantly.
Before I just start throwing parts at it, is there any order I should proceed? The whole system is very old, there are fittings that leak slightly, the pressure tank is very small, and it is mounted horizontally out the back of the well pump, the gaugues are old, it is all old. But I was wondering if I could test things out by starting with a new gauge or a new switch ( that piece that the elec. connects to with the cover/cap, etc.) . Should I start with those first before I get into the tank and the well pump. In truth, it should probably all be replaced, and I will probably end up doing that, but what I don't want to do is but a whole new pump, pressure tank, gauge, switch, etc. in, and then still have the whole problem and have the problem be in the well line.
Any advice is greatly appreciated. This is my job for today.....
Thanks
I have an above ground well pump and pressure tank, and the condition of the actual well line is unknown, other than it appears to be galvanized.
Every now and then, the water will slow down in the middle of shower, dishes, laundry, etc. During this time, the well pump i srunning, but the pressure never builds up in the tank to anything more than 20 psi, therefor, the pump continues to run constantly.
Before I just start throwing parts at it, is there any order I should proceed? The whole system is very old, there are fittings that leak slightly, the pressure tank is very small, and it is mounted horizontally out the back of the well pump, the gaugues are old, it is all old. But I was wondering if I could test things out by starting with a new gauge or a new switch ( that piece that the elec. connects to with the cover/cap, etc.) . Should I start with those first before I get into the tank and the well pump. In truth, it should probably all be replaced, and I will probably end up doing that, but what I don't want to do is but a whole new pump, pressure tank, gauge, switch, etc. in, and then still have the whole problem and have the problem be in the well line.
Any advice is greatly appreciated. This is my job for today.....
Thanks
#2
06-17-08, 05:56 AM
It sounds like there could be a couple of things going on.
First, if joints are leaking, the pump is probably sucking air, which won't allow it to build up pressure.
Second, the nozzle in the pump is probably plugged up. The nozzle has a small hole in it. It must be clear, as the nozzle aids in the pump's ability to "pick up" water.
There could also be some internal damage to the pump, such as the impeller could be partially plugged up, or the guide vane cracked or broken.
The fact that the pump is old doesn't mean it can't work properly. It could, however, mean that parts will be hard to come by. What is the manufacturer and model number of the pump?
Galvanized piping will eventually corrode through and this may be where alot of your problems exist. New piping is in order. A new footvalve will probably be needed also.
Ron
First, if joints are leaking, the pump is probably sucking air, which won't allow it to build up pressure.
Second, the nozzle in the pump is probably plugged up. The nozzle has a small hole in it. It must be clear, as the nozzle aids in the pump's ability to "pick up" water.
There could also be some internal damage to the pump, such as the impeller could be partially plugged up, or the guide vane cracked or broken.
The fact that the pump is old doesn't mean it can't work properly. It could, however, mean that parts will be hard to come by. What is the manufacturer and model number of the pump?
Galvanized piping will eventually corrode through and this may be where alot of your problems exist. New piping is in order. A new footvalve will probably be needed also.
Ron
#3
06-17-08, 06:15 AM
Thanks ROn
Thanks Ron.
The pump and tank are so old, I am not sure I can find anything to fix it, or even the name. It is covered in dirt/grime and has tube socks tied around some of the joints to help with the leaks. I definitely think I should just scrap it and start over with pump/tank , fitting, etc. The galvanized is coming from the cement slab. Should I just make it copper from there? Or should I fit galvanized from the ground back into the pump/tank?
The pump and tank are so old, I am not sure I can find anything to fix it, or even the name. It is covered in dirt/grime and has tube socks tied around some of the joints to help with the leaks. I definitely think I should just scrap it and start over with pump/tank , fitting, etc. The galvanized is coming from the cement slab. Should I just make it copper from there? Or should I fit galvanized from the ground back into the pump/tank?
#4
06-17-08, 07:11 AM
Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Manch-vegas, New Hampshire
Posts: 1,985
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes
on
0 Posts
Good morning and welcome
I am not positive on this answer so lets hope one of the well experts jump in and verify or add to my suggestion.
It really sounds like the incoming galvanized line could be partially plugged up with rust. The reasoning behind my answer is that the pump appears to pump up fine when nothing is running, correct? And you appear to get normal pressure until the expansion tank gets drawn down. This seems to be the point at which your pressure drops down, like the pump cannot keep up, correct?
Now the bad news. I can not come up with a way to test this theory of mine off the top of my head.
And if I am correct, it will entail digging up your yard and replacing the well line with plastic.
Could you please specify what kind of well you have...?
Deep well
shallow well
dug well
point well
submersible well - NO
Please respond as soon as possible, so the well experts can see the answers and help out properly.
I am not positive on this answer so lets hope one of the well experts jump in and verify or add to my suggestion.
It really sounds like the incoming galvanized line could be partially plugged up with rust. The reasoning behind my answer is that the pump appears to pump up fine when nothing is running, correct? And you appear to get normal pressure until the expansion tank gets drawn down. This seems to be the point at which your pressure drops down, like the pump cannot keep up, correct?
Now the bad news. I can not come up with a way to test this theory of mine off the top of my head.
And if I am correct, it will entail digging up your yard and replacing the well line with plastic.
Could you please specify what kind of well you have...?
Deep well
shallow well
dug well
point well
submersible well - NO
Please respond as soon as possible, so the well experts can see the answers and help out properly.
#5
06-17-08, 10:08 PM
if youre thinking of replacing it all anyway, the best place to start is between the suction of the pump to the well pipe. going on the assumption that at your pump just recently built more than 20 psi, in my opinion you are sucking air. before digging, first thing to do is make sure that all the pipe and fittings from the suction of the pump and the concrete slab are good and tight (the slightest air leak will cause it to act like what you are describing). if the gal. and fittings are in bad shape and you think could have an air leak, do whatever to get it fitted tight with pvc. i dont recommend compression couplings but depending on the shape of the galvanized pipe out of the concrete, it may be your only choice for this test. hook it all up and then try it.
if its still the same, do as plumbingods said and find where that pipe goes into the well. some wells dont have drop pipes that go into them and rather they pull right off the casing of the well. i never recommend this. always use a drop pipe with a foot valve. i would guess and say you have a 2" galvanized well somewhere. put a 30 foot 1" pvc drop pipe in it with a good brass foot valve on the bottom of the 1" pvc. i would use a 2" galvanized coupling with a double-tap bushing, or a 2"x1" well seal, to make sure and seal off any groundwater. make sure it is all tight, use teflon or pipe dope, run it into the the suction of the pump (all pvc), prime it up, and see where you're at. thats how i would start it.
if its still the same, do as plumbingods said and find where that pipe goes into the well. some wells dont have drop pipes that go into them and rather they pull right off the casing of the well. i never recommend this. always use a drop pipe with a foot valve. i would guess and say you have a 2" galvanized well somewhere. put a 30 foot 1" pvc drop pipe in it with a good brass foot valve on the bottom of the 1" pvc. i would use a 2" galvanized coupling with a double-tap bushing, or a 2"x1" well seal, to make sure and seal off any groundwater. make sure it is all tight, use teflon or pipe dope, run it into the the suction of the pump (all pvc), prime it up, and see where you're at. thats how i would start it.
