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-   -   Pump starts running the second the water is turned on (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=765380)

  • Sep 2, 2013, 09:10 AM
    mep101
    Pump starts running the second the water is turned on
    The very second the taps at home are turned on the pump instantly starts running. There is no lag time between the taps being turned on and the pump kicking in. It's asthough no pressure whatsoever is being built up in the pressure tank. I've tried adjusting the pressure swicth to fix this problem, but no luck. Also every few minutes the gauge on the pump shows a drop in the pump's pressure and then the pump starts to run until the pressure is built back up. Then it starts over again. What could be wrong? I'd appreciate some help.
  • Sep 2, 2013, 02:59 PM
    mygirlsdad77
    Sounds like your pressure tank is water logged. Depending on what type of tank it is, it can either be drained, or will need to be replaced.
  • Sep 2, 2013, 06:07 PM
    jlisenbe
    Quote:

    Also every few minutes the gauge on the pump shows a drop in the pump's pressure and then the pump starts to run until the pressure is built back up.
    I agree with MGD, but let me add this. What you are describing above, if this is happening consistently when no water is being used, is generally a bad check valve which is allowing water to flow back into the well every time the pump cuts off. Could also be leak between the tank and the house, but that is usually noticeable. It could even be a leaking toilet, but that would require several gallons a minute to leak through which doesn't sound likely.

    Is your pump in the well or above ground? Can you see a CV above ground?
  • Sep 2, 2013, 09:42 PM
    mep101
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by jlisenbe View Post
    Is your pump in the well or above ground? Can you see a CV above ground?

    Thanks for the advice so far. The pump is above ground and so is the tank. The inlet and outlet of the pump are 1'' but have been reduced to 3/4'', I don't know if that matters.. There is a 3/4'' pvc check valve connected to the line feeding from the tank to the pump and another one on the line leading from the pump to the house.
  • Sep 3, 2013, 04:51 PM
    jlisenbe
    Watch your gauge when no water is being used. If pressure is falling, then the water in the tank has to be going somewhere. The most likely culprit is that CV on the line going into the well. I'd replace the CV first (if the above test points that way), and then see if the problem is solved. Might not be. At that point, you start looking at the more expensive fix which is the tank.
  • Sep 4, 2013, 04:23 AM
    mep101
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by mygirlsdad77 View Post
    Sounds like your pressure tank is water logged. Depending on what type of tank it is, it can either be drained, or will need to be replaced.

    Thanks for the advice.
  • Sep 4, 2013, 04:28 AM
    mep101
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by jlisenbe View Post
    Watch your gauge when no water is being used. If pressure is falling, then the water in the tank has to be going somewhere. The most likely culprit is that CV on the line going into the well. I'd replace the CV first (if the above test points that way), and then see if the problem is solved. Might not be. At that point, you start looking at the more expensive fix which is the tank.

    Thanks, I'll follow your advice.

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