My well pump seems to be shutting off early and not building enough pressure in the system. I have a submersible pump and a bladder pressure tank. I have a 30 / 50 pressure switch which is staying in the closed (on) position. With the system completely drained, and the pump off, I set the pressure in the tank to 28lbs.

I close all faucets in the house. I turn the pump switch on. Systems immediately builds to 30psi and goes no further (normally goes up to 50psi before shutting off). I go to a faucet, turn on the cold water and it will run for approximately 30 seconds before stopping completely. The pressure gauge reads 0psi and the contacts are still closed on the pressure switch. After about two minutes of no pressure, the pump comes on and I get 30psi again. I can repeat this indefinitely.

If I rock the pressure tank, it feels empty (very light).

One other note, if I bring the system up to the 30psi and turn the pump off, it will hold the 30psi indefinitely unless I turn on a faucet.

Any suggestions as to what I might check next would be greatly appreciated.

Kyle

It sounds like your well may be running dry. Go to your well casing, take the well seal off, and listen for a sucking sounds, kind of like sucking the last bit of pop out of the cup with a straw. Other than that, you may have a faulty pump control box, or the pump itself may be faulty.