when my square d water pressure switch hits the low setting, about 30 psi, the water pressure drops to almost nothing for a second or two before the submersible pump kicks in. Is this a switch problem. It holds pressure fine when the pump stopps pumping as long as it stays above 30 psi.
thank you for your help
Em, typically a leaking check valve can be seen when pressure is dropping despite the fact that no water is being used. This indicates the water is simply going back into the well through the faulty checkvalve. You might want to try installing a check valve above ground, between the tank and the well head. That is frequently where they are located anyway. It would not be a major bucks undertaking as compared to pulling up the well pipe. I suppose I would certainly consider replacing a seventeen year old pump if I had to pull it up to get to the checkvalve, but I would want to be sure the valve is my problem before I did that. You don't want to pay someone $1200 or more to replace the valve and pump only to see the problem not solved.
thanks again, this slow pressure drop when there is no usage is occurring. I like the idea of putting a valve in the line between the well and the tank, has to be cost effective if this is the problem. Do you recommend I call a well guy or a plumber?
I would probably get a well guy. Typically, submerged pumps have two checkvalves. One is installed just above or near the pump, though pumps sometimes have their own valves which does away with the need for that one. The second valve is installed above the wellhead between the tank and the well head. You probably have one there. Here are a couple of sites you will find useful. If you have some basic plumbing skills, you can actually do the job yourself if there is an existing valve in place. The second site is specific to an above ground jet pump, different from yours, but the pictures of the checkvalves will still be useful to you.
Final thoughts on this, I called the well guy, they said it sounds like the pump is working fine so call a plumber may be check valve problem. I called a plumber I know and he told me to take off the pressure switch and I would probably find it clogged with rust, clean it, and put it back on. Bingo, problem corrected. I have now returned the pressure to 40-60 so my irrigation runs properly. I am going to get a new gauge and make sure I do not have a check valve problem too.
thanks for following up with me on this one.
Glad you got it worked out. I have no idea how the problem you described (which is common) would cause your pressure to drop when no water is being used, but if it works, it works. There aren't many feelings much better than getting your well working again. Being without water is tough.
thinking about it, if the pressure switch is closed and there is a constant pressure on the diaphragm because it is clogged up, when the the tank pressure drops beolw 30#, the switch stays closed because the pressure is still good because of the clog, when it drops real low, it finally releases and kick the pump on after the almost all of the water is out of the tank.
Yes it feels great!!
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