Shallow well pressure problem
#1
10-17-11, 02:53 PM
Shallow well pressure problem
OK, the water system pressure at my cabin will run full blast in the shower for 2 minutes then drop way way down to nothing. Turn the valve off for a minute and pressure is back for a bit. New 1/2 HP pump, new tank rated for more fixtures than I have.........the same thing happened with the old pump and tank. Do I need a larger pump? Larger tank? Lower/higher cut in or off? Sandpoint clogged? The well is about 30' from the lake........
There are no leaks in the plumbing............driving me nuts.....
There are no leaks in the plumbing............driving me nuts.....
#2
10-17-11, 02:58 PM
Super Moderator
Hi,
Whats you cut in and out pressure?
Have you checked the air in the tank? The pressure in the tank should be about 5 psi below the cut in. If there is too much air the bladder colapses on itself and will cause a momentary loss of water.
Addition do a bucket test from a hose. Fill a 5 gal bucket and times how many seconds it takes to fill. Figure the gpm. This will determain if you have a flow issue. If you take a shower at 2.5 gpm but the well and pump only produce 1 gpm, then there is an issue.
Mike NJ
Whats you cut in and out pressure?
Have you checked the air in the tank? The pressure in the tank should be about 5 psi below the cut in. If there is too much air the bladder colapses on itself and will cause a momentary loss of water.
Addition do a bucket test from a hose. Fill a 5 gal bucket and times how many seconds it takes to fill. Figure the gpm. This will determain if you have a flow issue. If you take a shower at 2.5 gpm but the well and pump only produce 1 gpm, then there is an issue.
Mike NJ
#3
10-17-11, 04:54 PM
Have you checked the air in the tank?
The pressure in the tank should be about 5 psi below the cut in.
Sandpoint clogged?
#4
10-17-11, 05:09 PM
Super Moderator
Why 5 PSI
Too much air the bladders colapse and stop water flow for a few moments.
Mike NJ
#5
10-21-11, 12:01 PM
OK, cut in is 30psi, cutoff is 55psi, tank has about 25psi air. Flotec 1/2 HP pump, Flotec 42 gal/equiv tank 5.9gpm.
Same pressure shortage occurs after 2 minute shower or so. It takes quite a while for the tan to fill to cutoff, 10 mins or so.
Same pressure shortage occurs after 2 minute shower or so. It takes quite a while for the tan to fill to cutoff, 10 mins or so.
Last edited by zampilot; 10-21-11 at 12:25 PM.
#7
12-23-11, 07:14 PM
The pressure tank needs to be emptied out and then repressurized.
Turn off the well pump and open a cold water faucet.
Using an air pump on the tank air valve, try to maintain the pressure tank at five PSI until the faucet stops flowing.
Close the faucet and turn on the well pump.
If you have additional instructions to follow to pressurize the tank, do those steps now.
Turn off the well pump and open a cold water faucet.
Using an air pump on the tank air valve, try to maintain the pressure tank at five PSI until the faucet stops flowing.
Close the faucet and turn on the well pump.
If you have additional instructions to follow to pressurize the tank, do those steps now.
