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rus · Nov 4, 2008, 04:54 PM

Hello
When my preasure tank tanks kicks my well pump on
I get a drip from my shower head I have changed the shower head and also installed a control valve at the shower head to turn off the water and still I get a drip when the preasure tanks kicks on should I replace the tank or could it be the preasure switch at controls when the pump kicks on the tanks is set a 25 lbs but when it turns on it goes to almost 60 lbs and than seatles back to around 30 lbs
Thank you for any helpful tips ;)

EPMiller · Nov 4, 2008, 06:20 PM

If the pressure gauge rises quickly up to 60 and then drops back quickly to 30, you have a waterlogged tank. If this accurately describes the action of your system, then either the bladder inside the tank is broken or there is no air left in the tank.

Since you didn't mention the age of the tank or what type of well system you have, my guess is that you need a new tank. If you are unsure of how to verify if my diagnosis is correct or not, call a plumber. If your tank actually is waterlogged, you will ruin your pump if you run it that way for long.

rus · Nov 5, 2008, 04:06 PM

Originally Posted by EPMiller

If the pressure gauge rises quickly up to 60 and then drops back quickly to 30, you have a waterlogged tank. If this accurately describes the action of your system, then either the bladder inside the tank is broken or there is no air left in the tank.

Since you didn't mention the age of the tank or what type of well system you have, my guess is that you need a new tank. If you are unsure of how to verify if my diagnosis is correct or not, call a plumber. If your tank actually is waterlogged, you will ruin your pump if you run it that way for long.

Thanks that is what I thought I figured I would get a second opinion before I buy a new tank
Thanks for all the help

mygirlsdad77 · Nov 5, 2008, 05:25 PM

A drip from your shower head would make me think about a faulty shower valve. Replacing the shower head will not fix your problem. You may have problems with your pressure tank, but it is not causing the dripping of the shower head. What type of shower faucet do you have.
Are you having any problems with other fixtures in the house?

EPMiller · Nov 6, 2008, 04:16 PM

rus,

Your tank might not be shot. If it is a bladder tank, it could be just a bad air valve. I should have said this at the outset. Turn off the pump, drain the tank down, and with the drain valve open, measure the pressure remaining in the tank. If it is 0 or very low, then pump 20 or so psi of air into the air valve. If it escapes through the drain valve then the bladder is shot. Replace the tank. Otherwise, check the schraeder valve. It could be leaking, and when replaced will work until something else fails. I just repaired one that had leaked down and was acting much like you described. It will last many more years. Just make certain that the air precharge in whatever tank you use is about 2 psi lower than the pump cut-in pressure.

If you have a non-bladder tank (very old) then just replace it with a bladder tank and hope the snifter valve doesn't start working again.

EPM

mygirlsdad77 · Nov 6, 2008, 04:33 PM

I still would like to know how a dripping shower head is caused by a bad pressure tank.

New shower heads are restricted. If you have a shower only, and not a tub shower, the shower head will drip while it is draining the remainer of the water in the head. This takes awhile, do to water lock in the shower head and or shower head supply pipe. If the shower head only drips for a short period, and then stops until shower is used against, then this is normal. Wouldn't worry about it.

rus · Nov 6, 2008, 05:38 PM

mygirlsdad77
I have a price pfisher I replaced the whole unit not just the head that is why I think it is the tank I will let every one know how I made out I am putting the new tank in towmarrow if that does not work I will be back for more tips
Thank you
rus

hkstroud · Nov 6, 2008, 06:07 PM

Originally Posted by rus

tanks is set a 25 lbs but when it turns on it goes to almost 60 lbs and than seatles back to around 30 lbs

Wait, lets talk about that.
That sounds like a faulty foot valve or check valve in the well. Could also mean air being pumped into system, creating excessive pressure at shower valve.

jlisenbe · Nov 6, 2008, 07:16 PM

I'm going to go way out on a limb here and speculate that a new pressure tank is not going to fix a problem with a shower head leaking. But then, I guess stranger things have been known to happen.

Rus, how much of a drip are you talking about? A few drops, or enough water to be measured?

mygirlsdad77 · Nov 7, 2008, 05:03 PM

I do believe we are on the same page jlisenbe. There may very well be other problems with the well system, but I find it hard to believe that the new shower valve would allow water to squeeze by to the shower head, even under high pressure. I would start looking more into the install of the new valve, or possibly a faultly cartridge. Did you solder in the new valve? If so, did you remove the cartridge, before appling heat? I would be willing to bet that this is a faucet(cartridge)problem. If you think about it, it really only makes sense. I have seen houses with 80 psi, and never a drip from any faucet, let alone a new shower faucet. You should be looking into shower valve here. Evaluate other problems with well system later.

Good luck and please let us know what you find. Take care.