My water pressure is surging every few seconds. I'm on a well and have a 30/50 pressure switch. I think the pressure switch is faulty and is turning the pump on frequently causing the surges. Is this a correct diagnosis?

Probably not. Even if the switch was cutting the pump off/on for short bursts, if everything else was OK you would scarcely notice it. A more likely culprit is a water logged pressure tank. If you have a bladder tank, the bladder is likely ruptured. Press the air valve on top and see if water comes out. If it does, then you need a new tank. IF you don't have a bladder tank, you usually still have an air valve, only not on top. Again, if water comes out, then not good.

In either case, for the short term, you can recharge the tank by turning off the system, draining the tank, and filling the tank with air to within two pounds of the cut in pressure. So if your pump cuts on at 30#, then charge the tank to 28#. At any rate, if it's a bladder tank, you will want to replace it. Not a difficult job.

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Originally Posted by jlisenbe

Probably not. Even if the switch was cutting the pump off/on for short bursts, if everything else was OK you would scarcely notice it. A more likely culprit is a water logged pressure tank. If you have a bladder tank, the bladder is likely ruptured. Press the air valve on top and see if water comes out. If it does, then you need a new tank. IF you don't have a bladder tank, you usually still have an air valve, only not on top. Again, if water comes out, then not good.

In either case, for the short term, you can recharge the tank by turning off the system, draining the tank, and filling the tank with air to within two pounds of the cut in pressure. So if your pump cuts on at 30#, then charge the tank to 28#. At any rate, if it's a bladder tank, you will want to replace it. Not a difficult job.

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You are absolutel right and I did have to replace the tank today. The tank was only 4 years old so I was surprised that was the problem. Thanks you very much.