Water drops when using a hose

dolphin122 · #1 Nov 4, 2009, 07:57 AM

I have a deep well that has a tank with a bladder and also a pressure switch which is set for 40 low turn on / 60 high turn off. The system seems to work fine . Ive cycled it a few times. turns on at 40 shuts off 60. The bladder tank seems to be ok . Ive checked it when empty and its set for 38 psi. Now the problem is in the house. The pressure in the house is 50 psi when pump turns off. Stays there till I turn on the hose then it starts dropping even below the 40 turn on point. when i turn off the hose the pressure will go back up. Could there be a volumne problem?
The pipe from pump is 1" then it reduces in the house to 1/2.The pump is in the well and the tank pressure swith and well head are in a vault inthe back yard.
any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

Milo Dolezal · Nov 4, 2009, 08:23 AM

Your hose outlet is connected to the house plumbing system. Naturally, when you turn hose ON your house pressure will drop. Hose outlet is not water saving device and has unrestricted flow through the valve. It has the largest volume need in your house.

Also, you have 1/2" pipes which means they are most likely undersized for your house. Open hose will not only lower house pressure, it will also have great effect on reducing your water volume throughout your house.

dolphin122 · Nov 4, 2009, 12:21 PM

Yes it did help but what can be done to increase the volume (pressure)? Does the house need to be repiped? Or maybe a larger tank. The one in there now is Wel Trol wx255 I believe its 88 gallons.
The tank is also in the ground with the pressure switch and the well head.

Thanks for your help hope you can maybe give me so more anwsers

Milo Dolezal · Nov 4, 2009, 03:13 PM

If your house is plumbed with 1/2" pipe than your plumbing is undersized. Yes, the solution would be to repipe the house. You do not state how big your house is - but with the pressure stated, I would suggest to run at least 3/4" cold (if not 1") through out the house and distribute off of that. Than 3/4" for hot water. All hot and cold with 1/2" risers to the fixtures. If possible, run irrigation lines and hose bibs on separate run distributed from before the pipe enters your house.

You could also increase pressure but plumbing and plumbing fixtures deteriorate fast with high pressure not to mention friction noise it will generate. I would not recommended it as a long term solution to your problem.

dolphin122 · Nov 4, 2009, 04:46 PM

The house is 2 floors 2 baths ,one kitchen ,one laundry and two hoses that we use alot to wash and water plants. I think that your advice is right and ill have to do some repiping.

Thank you

dolphin122 · Nov 5, 2009, 06:06 AM

The house has copper pipes inside the house it self and there is plastic coming from the well to just inside the foundation. I also was interested in finding out why there is such a pressure drop from the well to the house. At the well there is 65 psi and in the house there is 50 psi. Could you lose that much pressure between the well and the house?

jlisenbe · Nov 5, 2009, 08:13 AM

Are your house and the pressure tank on about the same level?

It is, of course, possible that the gauge on your tank is off some. The pressure at the top of the tank, taken with a tire gauge, should be the same as the gauge so long as the system is up and operating.

dolphin122 · Nov 5, 2009, 02:10 PM

The distance is about 40-50 feet away. the vault where the pressure switch tank and well head is under ground about 8 feet deep. The pressure in the tank when running is the same as the pressure in the system when running. When the system is off the pressure is about 35 psi in the tank. The pressure switch is set at about 40psi turn on 65 shut off.