Check out some similar questions!

ryman01 · Dec 1, 2008, 03:22 PM

Hi, I have had this problem for 3 weeks now and is about to kick the bucket. I am not a well specialist by any means but I have some plumbing knowledge. It all started with the pump not shutting off. The pressure will only go up to 30 psi and stay there until I shut it off manually. I have a shallow well, a 52" bladder, 1/2 hp craftsman water pump and water softner. I originally installed a 40/60 psi switch but since the pressure never built up that high I replaced it with a 30/50. I have been reading other threads relating to this subject and yesterday went out to buy a new tank because the air pressure in the bladder is always @ 10 psi by early morning. I have also replaced all the pipes with new. After installing the new tank with pressure at 28 psi, the pump pressure will now not go above 20 psi and won't shut off. The water pressure in the house is pretty dismal. There was a crack in the pipe from the well but I covered it up with cement so there is no leak there. Is the problem with the pump or do you think there's debris in the pipe? How do I clean this if this is the problem?

jlisenbe · Dec 1, 2008, 05:50 PM

Two big questions:

Is this pump submersible or above ground?
What kind of pipe had the crack in it (plastic, copper, galvanized)?

ryman01 · Dec 1, 2008, 08:28 PM

It's an above ground pump and the pipe that broke is galvanized.

jlisenbe · Dec 2, 2008, 04:51 AM

I'd put my money on a leak in one of the two pipes that goes down into the well, probably the suction side, and probably at a joint. How much pipe is in the well?

speedball1 · Dec 2, 2008, 07:00 AM

There was a crack in the pipe from the well but I covered it up with cement so there is no leak there. Is the problem with the pump or do you think there's debris in the pipe?

You didn't repair the leak by cementing over it. You just concealed it. The leak has to be on the pressure side otherwise you would lose prime every time the pump shut off. Uncover anhd replace the cracked pipe and see if that doesn't solve your problem. Good luck and thanks for rating my answer. Tom

ryman01 · Dec 2, 2008, 08:01 AM

It is definitely on the suction side. I will try to replace the pipe but it will require some major work because it goes into the ground quite a bit so I will be doing a lot of digging.

speedball1 · Dec 2, 2008, 08:04 AM

Originally Posted by ryman01

It is definitely on the suction side. I will try to replace the pipe but it will require some major work because it goes into the ground quite a bit so I will be doing a lot of digging.

If you have a leak on the suction side you would be sucking air and losing prime on most pumps but I don't see that in your complaint. Just curious.
It's got to be replaced. You have no other options. Good luck, Tom

ryman01 · Dec 3, 2008, 09:36 AM

My wife bought a new pump so I installed it and everything is now working properly and the pump shuts off. I will still replace the patched pipe over the weekend. What can I do about boosting the water pressure into the house? I have 2 bathrooms. The pressure is okay but nothing like water pressure from a faucet hooked up the city. We have a Flotec 3/4hp pump. Would increasing the shut off pressure help? It's at 30/50. Thank you.