We purchased a fairly new home about a year and a half ago (home built in 2003). Recently (last few weeks), the water pressure frequently weakens and then cuts out completely (both hot and cold water). However, if we turn the water off for just a little bit (1 minute or less) the pressure returns, as if nothing had happened.

We are on a well and have pvc pipes. Typically the water pressure is great, until it acts up and then we know that we are going to lose water completely and then it will come back. Any suggestions on where to start with this problem?

Could it be a lowered water table? The pump lowers the table until it sucks air until the table fills up again. How long is the period that the water's off? What's the bladder tank setting? Back to you, Tom

Tom-

Thank you for your response. The water is only off for a very short period, never more than a minute. After a little more searching with the system, it seems as if the switch is not triggering the pump properly. The pump does not turn on until after the pressure in the tank hits 20 psi and does not cut out until the pressure in the tank is almost 80 psi and there seems to be a delay in the switch. The settings on the switch indicate that it is a 40/60 switch, so now we are trying to figure out if this is the switch or the pressure tank. We assume the loss in water is coming from the delay between when the tank empties and when the switch flips to alert the pump that there is no water? Any suggestions. Water table should be fine... we are on the east coast and have had significant rain... even during the severe droughts over the past two years, we have had no problems with the water table!

THanks

Your pressure control sounds faulty. That's the first thing I would replace. Or have you been adjusting the two springs in the box? Let me know, Tom

That is definitely where we are starting... and then on to the tank. We have not messed with the springs at all, but might just be safer to just replace the switch. We will go from there and then report back for more help as needed!

Thank you for your help!

BP, be sure to replace the little pipe leading to the switch. I'd be willing to bet it's clogged up.

We have replaced the switch and are still having the same problem (did not clean/replace the pipe -got this message too late). Based on the pressure gauge, the well pump cuts on when the gauge is at 40 psi (with the new switch) and does cut off when the gauge reaches 60 psi; however, the tank is already empty when the gauge reaches 40 psi... so we seem to have a lapse between when the tank is empty and the gauge actually indicates that the tank is empty.

Could this be remedied by just cleaning out/replacing the pipe? Could this be a leak somewhere? Thank you both for your help... we are pretty frustrated and do not want to call a well person for something that could be an easy fix.

I'd replace the gauge (cheap) and the little pipe (even cheaper). The most dependable pressure gauge you have is how much water comes out of the faucet. If nothing is coming out, then you have next to no pressure, no matter what the gauge says. It might be sticking on 40#.

BTW, do you have a water filter/softener on this system?

ONe more question. When water is not being used, will the system hold steady pressure?

Assuming you have a bladder tank, check the air pressure when the tank is empty.

Turn off pump breakers. Empty all of the water in the tank. Open faucet, if you have a drain at the tank open it. Check air pressure. Pressure should be 38# with tank empty.

Thanks to everyone who responded... we replaced the switch and gauge... and the little pipe leading to the switch... and so far so good! The little pipe leading to the switch was completely clogged!

Thank you for your help! Saved us a ton of money!

We thank you for the update. Jlisenbe nailed it! Regards, Tom