MjMercier
Mar 12, 2014, 06:35 PM
Trying to abbreviate my problem.. I bought a fixer-upper and my potable has been progressively worse and rust in my water is worse than ever. I had an inspection done before I bought it, pressure was good, high radon, and manganese, low iron. I had a double resin tank softener system and off that I have a "Big Blue" 4x20 water filter. About 3 years ago we started having lots of rust and had a water specialist come and check, Iron was through the roof, high manganese, and found moderate arsenic in addition to the radon. He told me how old the softeners were and they needed to be replaced. We stopped using it as much as possible and planned for a remodel and changing it anyway. Very recently I have had serious water issues discovered by getting rid of my rusty nasty red water and looking for a pressure problem this time. Showers can be no longer than 3 minutes before it drops to a trickle, so I go look at my pressure gauge in the 'T' and it is at 10 psi and not climbing. In fact it seemed like the pump wasn't running at all. I knew I had a big problem. Started with the pressure switch, replaced it. No noticeable difference. Figuring the softener resin tanks were all jammed up because when I bypassed them pressure was much better. I went and bought a new softener, and another 4x10 filter. I proceeded to cut them in. I came from my slab inlet to the new 4x10 filter, to my pressure tank, to my new softener, to my old 4x20 filter and feeds the house. The cleanest water I have ever seen, however my pressure was unchanged. Feeling defeated and sitting looking at the whole thing, I was wondering if my CTS fittings were plugged and took off the 90 coming out of my slab, Low and behold my 1"CTS was literally at least 1/2 restricted with rust build up. I went and replaced all of that CTS and fittings and in addition to taking my 50' fish wire and reamed the pipe going toward my well. When I pulled the fish out, the water level dropped so I knew I moved something around. I hit the switch and the reddest, nastiest, thickest water and chunks of rust came out of there. The flow isn't great but was flowing I timed it at about 2-2.5 GPM. I put it together and is was a little better. I checked my gauge again and still not climbing to even the cut on pressure which is 30 (30-50). I checked the pressure of the bladder and it was low like 10 psi. I pumped it up to about 25 psi and it is escaping, I suppose a blown bladder. The pressure is now at 15 psi. and my tank is virtually empty. I shake it (composite and light weight) and there is a splash of water in there... Question #1) I know my pump is pumping, and even at a trickle, shouldn't it fill to 50 psi eventually?. Question #2) Is there something I can put into my well to dissolve/eat away the rust so I do not have to pull a new CTS line?. Finally, Question #3) Should I pull the pump anyway and check if the screen is all gummed up?