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View Full Version : My well water pressure stays at 40lb all the time. Why?


cama40
Aug 11, 2012, 09:15 PM
My water pressure from my well stays at 40lb. Water runs okay but lower pressure. I have a 40-60 pressure switch. Is the problem inside or with my well?

speedball1
Aug 12, 2012, 07:16 AM
Your control box setting is 40/60. Does your pump shut off at 40 PSI or does it keep running? Back to you, Tom

cama40
Aug 13, 2012, 04:32 AM
It seems to keep running though it was off when I last checked. I have a cottage outside of my main house connected to it. I shut the water off to it to make sure I don't have a separate leak. I checked my outdoor hydrant that is before any piping going to the house and it is fine as to pressure. I am thinking it is my pressure switch or gauge. My bladder tank is still okay. I have a 40/60 box. What do you think? Thanks, Rick Camacho

speedball1
Aug 13, 2012, 06:02 AM
It seems to keep running though it was off when I last checked. You can't have it both ways, Either the pump shuts off when it reaches the cut off point or it pumps to 40 PSI and keeps running. Which is it? I'm trying to figure out if you have a bad control box or a bad pump. Back to you, tom

cama40
Aug 13, 2012, 08:18 PM
The pump runs much more than when it is ever off. I am guessing you may be on to something when you say it is a pump going bad. If it is, can I get by for a while like this in your opinion? Gauge now reads between 40 and 44 lbs. of pressure.

speedball1
Aug 14, 2012, 06:39 AM
You can certainly get by on 44 PSI. The Average house pressure is 45PSI. My only concern is if the pump's running all the time it will burn up. Regards, Tom

hkstroud
Aug 14, 2012, 07:30 AM
Turn off breaker to well.
Open faucet and let water run. Watch pressure gauge to see if it moves. If it does not then gauge is defective or clogged.

Drain tank to relieve pressure. Remove pressure gauge and clean orifice of gauge and pipe.

Remove cover on pump switch. See if switch points are open or closed. If closed, remove switch, clean orifice to switch and pipe.

Switch points should be open.

Reinstall gauge and switch, turn on breaker. Observe gauge and switch as pressure builds. Gauge should show pressure rising. If not replace gauge. When pressure reaches cut off PSI, points of switch should open and pump will stop.

If points do not open, replace switch.

If pressure does not reach cut off PSI you may have a leak in well line or you may have defective pump.

First thing is to get a pressure gauge that you can rely on to diagnose other potential problems.


The pump runs much more than when it is ever off

That makes me suspect leak in well pipe.

cama40
Aug 14, 2012, 09:49 AM
Thanks for all the input! I checked all of the above and called a well guy this morning. He came out, great reputation, and is going to replace my motor (which is still good but while it is open... ), my pump (hole in it) and my bladder tank (logged). He will be done by end of today. Appreciate all the great answers. Rick Camacho P.S. My insurance will cover part of it.

speedball1
Aug 15, 2012, 07:12 AM
And we thank you for the update. Always nice to hear back. Good luck, Tom