[johnxlogue]

I have air in my cold water. The water/air mixture spurts out of the faucets, shower heads, toilet inlets. Sometimes everything works properly but other times not.

Sometimes the water is perfectly clear but sometimes it turns milky in the glass because of micro bubbles and then it turns clear after a few seconds.

I am about to install an air eliminator but I have trouble believing it will take care of the problem.

I have a 60-foot well with the pump in the well and I'm at the bottom of a hill beside a lake. I do not lose water pressure. I have no leaks.

I'm reluctant to have a plumber visit until I have an idea of the possible causes. The pump was replaced four years ago. The water tank is about six years old and the air pressure is fine.

[hkstroud]

What type of pump do you have, surface or submersible? What type of tank , pressure or bladder? Talk to a well man. I suspect that you have a leaking foot or check valve or a leak in the well pipe. Do you have air in line all the time or just when the pump is running?

[lauferein]

I have the same problem. When the pump is turned off, the water in the pipe from the pump drains. When the pimp is turned on again, the air from the connecting pipe is pushed into the tank and I have sputtering water for several seconds. Have to be careful if the hot water is turned on.

[jlisenbe]

Lauf, that is one of two things:

1. You have an old galvanized tank that utilizes a method of recharging the air in the tank by using air from the wellpipe at the beginning of each cycle. You can tell this by the presence of an air valve at the top of the wellhead that allows air to bleed back into the wellpipe at the end of each cycle. That is pretty old technology and is probably not being used in your case.

2. You have a defective checkvalve which is allowing water to bleed back down the wellpipe, or a leak in the well pipe which allows air to enter and the water to drain back into the wellpipe.

Hopefully, your checkvalve is above ground. If so, then that is the first place to look. They are not difficult to replace or wildly expensive. If it is in the well, above the pump, then the pump must be pulled to replace it.

[lauferein]

Thsnks. I already replaced ti, but I am afraid that it does not close again after being installed one day. The pump goes on and off avery 5 minute. I possibly might have a leak in the water pipes somewhere of the air relief valve on the water heater tank is leaking air.
Any suggestions?

[johnxlogue]

Thank you all for trying.

In desperation I replaced the filter cartridge and all's well.

I last replaced it eleven months ago and I've never had to replace it more often for twenty six years.

And I still have money in my pocket.

And now I'm a plumber!

Cheers!

[johnxlogue]

The real answer had nothing to do with my filter (replacing that seemed to improve the system for a short time).

From reading this forum I had learned about the 28-30/50 psi water tank and cut-in/cut-out numbers.

My tank was at 33 rather than 28 psi and the cut-in/cut-out was wrong too.

I adjusted everything as described by the experts here and everything is now perfect.

Thanks, guys.