I have a house that is supplied by a well. The pump from well feeds into a blue tank(small one) in the basement. The system works fine, except that the water pressure is too low. Showers are weak, especially on the upper floors.

** I saw a sililar question with a reply to increase pressure turn the nuts on the square D control box.

I had tried that maybe 2 years ago, The pressure coming in the hosue did increase, but the bladder in the blue tank broke and the repair company replaced it.

The pressure is still low and 2 people cannot take shower at same time. Should I try tightening the 2 nuts again?

Did I turn the nuts in the square D box a lot to tear the bladder in the blue box? How do I know how much to turn?

Would a larger blue tank help increase pressure and water flow, so that 2 people can take shower at same time?

Thanks.

Sanjeev

The one piece of information you did not supply us was this: What are your cutin/cutout pressure points? Many switches are preset to 30/50. If yours is anywhere around that, then your pressure did not cause the bladder tank to fail.

A larger tank is not a bad idea, but it will not increase pressure or volume. It simply makes your pump's job a little easier.

You can certainly adjust the switch if you feel you need to, but again, it's hard to say without knowing your cutin/cutout points. You should generally only need to turn the large, center nut. Turning that will generally maintain a 20# difference between cut in and cut out. The smaller nut is used to increase or decrease the cut off pressure.

Simply replacing the old tank should not have changed the switch settings. That should be the same as it was. Bear in mind that there is a difference between pressure and volume. Your problem may be more due to a volume problem rather than a pressure problem.

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The pressure is still low and 2 people cannot take shower at same time. Should I try tightening the 2 nuts again? How do I know how much to turn?

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First let me show you how to adjust your control box, (see image). First turn off the power at the breaker box, then pull the cover off the pressure switch and you will see two spring loaded bolts secured with nylon nuts. One tall, one short. To increase the cut in pressure, turn the nut on the tall bolt down. To increase the cut out pressure,(that's the one that will give you more pressure) turn the nut on the short bolt down. This should give you the additional pressure you desire.

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Did I turn the nuts in the square D box a lot to tear the bladder in the blue box? Would a larger blue tank help increase pressure and water flow, so that 2 people can take shower at same time?

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No and No! It wasn't the control box setting that ruptured the bladder and a larger bladder tank wouldn't give you more pressure. Have you charged the bladder tank to correspond to your house pressure? Do you need instruction? How old is your house and what kind of water pipes do you have? Let's hear back from you. Tom

Can you post a picture of the tank?

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Originally Posted by hkstroud

Can you post a picture of the tank?

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Here you go Herald,
The Asker describes it like this,

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I have a house that is supplied by a well. The pump from well feeds into a blue tank(small one) in the basement.

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that pretty much describes a Wel Trol Bladder Tank, (see image). Regards, Tom

Thanks, but I was hoping to see Sanjeev's tank.

Something doesn't smell right here. Have difficulty imagining how you can rupture bladder with pressure to start with (and how would he know). Then have it replaced professionally and still have poor pressure to upper floors. I guess I'm wondering if the referanced tank is expansion tank on water heater or heating system.

Just my weird way of thinking.

[IMG]C:\Documents and Settings\Sanjeev\Desktop\P1010054[/IMG]

The cut-in is at 45 and cut-off at 65

Sanjeev

See attached picture

At 45/65, you probably have more of a volume problem as opposed to pressure. What kind of pipes are you dealing with... pvc, copper, galvanized..

Copper

What size is that tank, why is it sitting at such a weird angle, was it properly pressurized, Check to make sure you get air and not water out of the valve. Does you pump short cycle when you are using water. In other words, could you be running on pump pressure only. That pressure gauge looks like it could stand to be replaced.