Hello

The gauge going into the tank is at 40 psi then it drops down to 30, the pump kicks on goes back to 40. The gauge on the pump itself has the exact same readings. Does this sound like a leak in the bladder/tank. I just noticed this last night.

Thank you
Dave

 

[U]Hi welcome.

What were your previous gauge readings? 20-40 ,30-50 , 40-60????

The pressure switch may be bad but of course check the pressure in the tank first. Pressur must be checked with system empty and set 2 psi below the cut in pressure.

If pressure is good the the pressure switch may be bad or could be adjusted.

A WORD OF CAUTION. WHEN WORKING ON THE SWITCH IT IS USUALLY 220VOLTS AND YOU CAN BE ELECTROCUTED. CALL A PROFESSIONAL IF YOUR NOT SURE.


Mike NJ

 

If your pressure tank checks out, you may have a bad check valve at the pump end. When the pump comes on it pressurizes the tank but as soon as it shuts off all the water in hte piping from the well flows back into the well. The pressure drops and the well pump comes back on.

 

if theres a gauge on the pump itself, this is a jet pump system right? first, make sure you arent losing water somewhere in the yard or under house. be sure the system is doing this with the main valve off, before water can go anywhere. so the only place you could lose water after pump kicks off is from the suction side of pump.

couple of questions for you.. is this a shallow well jet pump (only one pipe from well to pump), or is this a deepwell jet pump system (2 pipes from pump to well, or pump is bolted to an adapter that is bolted to either a 2 or 3" well.)?? what size diameter is the well? what type of pump do you have?

if your not losing water on the property somewhere, and the tank and switch check out ok....

*if its a shallow well pump, my guess would be the leak is in the check valve/foot valve.

*if its a deepwell pump with 2 pipe jet assembly, the leak could be in one of the 2 pipes, or the foot valve on the bottom of the jet assembly.

*if its a deepwell pump with 2-3" well casing.. then its a packer style jet assembly and the leak could be in the foot valve on the bottom of the jet assembly, or the leak could be in the 2-3" casing.. as it is pressurized with that type of system.

 

In my area deep wells are typiclly installed with a submersible pump instead of a jet pump. If you have a deep well and only one pipe entering your pressurizer tank you probably have a submersible pump with a check valve located above the pump assembly. The check valve functions as I describedf earlier. Here's an on line site with an explanation of how it works. And another site describing jet pump wells and submersible pumps.

Unfortunately, if the check valve is the problem it is a pain for a DIYer to replace. Pulling up a couple of hundred feet of pump and piping without messing anything up will be difficult. On a deep well this is probably a job best left to the pros.

 

I see systems installed both ways around here. Our water levels are never deeper than 75-80', with most being 10-50'. and wells here typically produce lots of water. A sub is def the best way to go when water levels are deeper than shallow table.

the OP saying there was a gauge "on the pump itself", made me figure it must be a jet pump.. that and the fact that it was set 20-40, which would be pretty low for a sub but typical for a jet pump.

hopefully we will get some more info on it.

 

I missed that. Obviously a jet pump.

 

I truly appreciate all of the helpful responses. I am happy,yet embarraseed to report my kids left the outside hose on friday and all day saturday, after they power washed my truck. My oldest boy said to me about noon on Sunday:" hey dad did you know the hose was on" . Well I tell you, I am some kind of fixer upper.

Thanks Again.

Dave/Massachusetts

 

LOL! dont feel bad. you'd be surprised how many people call us with a similar problems, i tell them to cut off the main valve, presto!.. pump quits cycling.

it was a cheap lesson.