[demerdoll]

We recently bought a house that had been vacant for 2 years. The power for the pump was turned off. We have been able to prime the pump, repair a few leaks between the pump and the pressure tank, but we are not getting water into the house. There is an outside faucet within reach of the area of the pump. When we turn the faucet on water trickles out. When we turn on a faucet in the kitchen the pump turns on but no water comes out. There is no pressure showing on the pressure tank. Do we need to put air into the pressure tank?

[21boat]

There could be a lot of things going on here. First check if ALL the valves are turned on. I'm posting a site below as a check list so to speak since there could be a lot of posting back and forth on this. Go over the list and get right back and see what's were are missing here. There should be air pressure in the captive air tank. It should be 2 lb less then the kick in of the well pump switch and 2/bs lower then the kick off on that well pressure switch. When the well is pumping and pressure is in that tank but the thank is flooded the gage on the pump will shake. There should be an air valve in that tank. If system is pressured and you open that air valve and water comes out you have a bad tank/ bad air bladder. Also when its charged and pressured tapping on the tank starting from the bottom up it should sound hollow half way up. If not again bad air bladder.

Wells, Water Tanks, Plumbing and Septic Guidelines for Home Owners and Home Buyers
Water Pumps, Tanks, & Wells - Purchase, Diagnosis, & Repair Guide for Home Owners and Home Buyers

[jlisenbe]

It sounds like what you need is some WATER in the pressure tank. It sounds like your pump is not delivering water. I'm a little suspicious about those leaks in the pipes you had to fix. Leaking pipes with a jetpump can ruin your day. If they were leaking above ground, then they are probably leaking in the well. When you prime the pump, does it hold prime?

[demerdoll]

The pump is under the house with the pressure tank. The leaks were in an elbow in the CVPC. There were also a couple of other leaks in the PVC going to the kitchen. We primed the pump and it filled up. We had enough water running that we could tell there were leaks on the way to the kitchen, it just didn't make it all the way to the kitchen (even after those leaks were repaired). We are going to be working on it again later today so we will see. Is it possible we need air in the pressure tank?

[jlisenbe]

When the pump comes on, does it pump up to pressure and then cut off?

Does your pressure tank have a little air valve at the top?

[demerdoll]

The pressure gauge hardly moves, if at all. The pump will turn on and it seems to be triggered by me turning the faucet off and on. We are going back out to the house later today. I am not sure if there is a valve or not.

[jlisenbe]

This is what is supposed to happen. The pump turns on and pumps up to some level set at the switch, say 50#. When the pressure tank reaches that pressure, the pump turns off. As you use water, the pressure gradually falls to some other set point, say 30#. The switch turns the pump back on and the whole deal repeats itself.

If turning on a faucet seems to turn on the pump, then that tells us that the pump had cut off for some reason, assumedly because it reached the cut off point. If that is the case, then probably your pressure gauge is not working. You should have a small air valve at the top of the tank. Use a tire pressure gauge to read the pressure there, especially when the pump is running. If it shows pressure there but none at the gauge, then the gauge needs replacing. Also, depress the air valve for a few seconds and see if water comes out. I just have a funny feeling that you have a ruptured bladder in a bladder tank.

BTW, is there a water filter/softener on this system? Also, do you live in a climate cold enough that the pump could have frozen during those two years the house was vacant?