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Author:
skrafner (Non-US)
Hi,
I live on a rural property and get water from a drilled well. I just moved here about a year ago so am still working out the kinks of the plumping. Recently (about a month ago) I noticed that there seemed to be air in the pipes when first turning on the water in the morning. It was periodic at first, but seems to be a more consistent problem lately. More recently, I've noticed a pressure drop in the water shortly after running it (~3 minutes). I had a look at the pressure valve and see that it sits as 40psi, but as soon as the pump turns on it drops to 10psi and stays there, which is when I notice a drop in flow as well.
I'm pretty green when it comes to plumbing, but would like to understand the system better and avoid calling a plumber in if it's a simple fix.
Any thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated.
TIA,
Steve
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Author:
hj
The air pressure in the tank is greater than the pump's turn on point. So when the pressure drops to ITS point, the flow stops until the pressure continues to drop and the pump turns on. It will also happen if the pump is not capable of creating pressure so the flow will stop until the system's pressure equals what the pump can produce, which you indicate is about 10 psi.
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Author:
skrafner (Non-US)
Thanks for the reply. Is this unusual for it to drop to, and stay at 10psi? I don't know what it was usually, but based on the flow, it seems lower than it was not long ago.
Thanks,
S
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Author:
SMSPlumbing (PA)
It also sounds like either the check valve on top of the pump is failing or there is a possible leak in the well. This would allow the water to drain back into the well creating air pockets.
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Author:
LemonPlumber (FL)
be sure the flow to the gauge/switch is clear.high iron often closes the fitting serving the pressure switch and delays the cut on pressure.assuming you are running standard twenty forty switch.you might also just trip/force on, the pressure switch as the flow starts to remove other questionable failures.Often find a return line leak where your well head is jetted.where is the jet package?
Edited 1 times.
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Author:
hj
The reason the pressure stays at 10 psi is because the pump either cannot produce a greater pressure, (or more likely since it seems to eventually get high enough to shut off), it cannot produce enough volume to create pressure while a faucet is running.
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Author:
Paul48 (CT)
Call a plumber...You may have a couple of things going on. You may have a bad check valve, pump, and or tank. You need someone there that can check the whole system.After everything is running correctly, ask the plumber if he can explain how the system operates to you.
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Author:
skrafner (Non-US)
Thanks everyone for their help. I think I'll take Paul's advice and call a plumber in. With my lack of knowledge it sounds like that will be the best place to start.
Cheers,
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