Something is wrong with my well or pump....randomly
#1
02-13-21, 04:51 PM
Something is wrong with my well or pump....randomly
Hi everyone,
I am having an issue with the well or pump in my home, however it is totally random. At times, usually when my wife is in the shower with a head full of shampoo, the water will literally cut out and stop flowing. The water is stopped in all the faucets in the house, hot and cold. The issue lasts for a few minutes, and then it returns to normal as if nothing happened.
The well in our home is shared with the neighbor as it sits on the property line. My house has a submersible pump and my neighbors house has a jet pump. I think the well is only 75ft deep.
We have always had relatively low water pressure, but we have never had this random cutting out issue. It also doesn't happen everyday.
I know very little about well systems in general although I have lived with a well for thirty-three years.
Thank you everyone!
Zack
I am having an issue with the well or pump in my home, however it is totally random. At times, usually when my wife is in the shower with a head full of shampoo, the water will literally cut out and stop flowing. The water is stopped in all the faucets in the house, hot and cold. The issue lasts for a few minutes, and then it returns to normal as if nothing happened.
The well in our home is shared with the neighbor as it sits on the property line. My house has a submersible pump and my neighbors house has a jet pump. I think the well is only 75ft deep.
We have always had relatively low water pressure, but we have never had this random cutting out issue. It also doesn't happen everyday.
I know very little about well systems in general although I have lived with a well for thirty-three years.
Thank you everyone!
Zack
#2
02-13-21, 05:05 PM
Group Moderator
My house has a submersible pump and my neighbors house has a jet pump.
The submersible pump will be doing most of the work. You will need a way to monitor if it's running to see if it's shutting down and you are losing water or is your neighbor using it all.
Do you know when your pump is actually running ? Sometimes you can hear it vibrate in the pipes.
If you can't hear it..... you'll need a voltage checker to see if the switch is calling for water.
#3
02-13-21, 06:24 PM
We were told about the two pump when we purchased the house a few years ago. I can't hear the pump running. I really wish we had a private well.
#4
02-13-21, 06:47 PM
Group Moderator
#6
02-14-21, 12:18 PM
Group Moderator
Since you are relying on what you were "told" years ago. I would first do some investigating and find out how your water system operates. Once you KNOW how your system is laid out post back and we can help.
#7
02-14-21, 05:53 PM
So upon further investigation.......
1. The neighbor is not having any issues.
2. We have lived in this house for over six years and never had an issue before....even when said idiot neighbor used a sprinkler incessantly.
3. "Supposedly" my submersible pump is much lower in the well than his tap that his jet pump uses. So I guess they are truly separate.
1. The neighbor is not having any issues.
2. We have lived in this house for over six years and never had an issue before....even when said idiot neighbor used a sprinkler incessantly.
3. "Supposedly" my submersible pump is much lower in the well than his tap that his jet pump uses. So I guess they are truly separate.
#8
02-14-21, 07:32 PM
Group Moderator
If you have a submersible pump and your neighbor has a jet pump it sounds like you each have your own well. I have never heard of two supplies coming out of a single well.
It sounds to me like your pump is failing. I had a similar thing happen to me in a different house. What was happening was the motor was locking up and tripping out the motor overload protection on the pump. After it would reset it would start pumping again. This kept happening until it finally failed.
It sounds to me like your pump is failing. I had a similar thing happen to me in a different house. What was happening was the motor was locking up and tripping out the motor overload protection on the pump. After it would reset it would start pumping again. This kept happening until it finally failed.
#9
02-15-21, 07:57 AM
Member
I think what the other posters are asking is whether the two pumps are on the same system OR is each pump, pumping from a different piping line in the well. That is very important to know in order to help with your problem.
#10
02-15-21, 10:15 AM
My next door neighbor (on his own private well) was having this same problem. Turned out to be the pressure switch was sometimes failing to close when pressure dropped. Very intermittently. Since that's the easiest thing to inspect and cheapest to change, I'd look there first.
zoneout
voted this post useful.
#11
02-15-21, 06:48 PM
Agree with checking the pressure switch first. The contacts become pitted and won't close properly. A new one is under $25 so it is a good place to start. It is also possible that the nipple connecting into the pressure switch is blocked with sediment so the pressure switch has trouble sensing the water pressure. If you are going to clean out the nipple then it will be a good time to check the charge in your expansion tank with the water off. Chances are if its over 5 years old the bladder may be bad. That wouldn't cause your issue but it would need to be addressed anyway. Once you eliminate the switch as a problem then you can move on to the pump.
#12
02-17-21, 07:13 PM
Thank you everyone!
I gave up and called the well company who has serviced my home for many years. They confirmed that in fact I have a submersible pump and my neighbor has a jet pump. They are pumping from different points in the well. Supposedly my pump is lower.
The tech diagnosed the issue as a pressure switch, so far so good.
I gave up and called the well company who has serviced my home for many years. They confirmed that in fact I have a submersible pump and my neighbor has a jet pump. They are pumping from different points in the well. Supposedly my pump is lower.
The tech diagnosed the issue as a pressure switch, so far so good.
