[jeannie51]

We had a leaking pipe which caused our well to run dry temporarily. My husband could not get it primed so we had a plumber come out. They replaced the swich, foot valve, and pressure gauge and got the water flowing again. Now the pump runs but when the cut-off for the house is turned on, the pressure drops and the pump won't shut off. The plumber thinks we have another leak somewhere, but there is no water standing anywhere and we don't hear water running in the house. Can anyone help?

[jlisenbe]

The plumber is going off the fact that the pressure holds fine as long as the house is not getting water. In a situation such as yours, debris in the pipes can cause the valves in toilets to stick open and run constantly. I'd check them first. It would certainly seem logical that the problem is somewhere in the house.

[jeannie51]

The toilets aren't running. There is nothing running in the house, so he thinks maybe there is a leak from the well to the house, but there's no soggy ground there.

[jlisenbe]

Where is the cutoff located? Is it right at the house, or near the well?

[jeannie51]

Near the well. In fact it inside the wellhouse just past the water tank.

[jlisenbe]

If you can't locate a leak in the house, and if the system holds fine with the valve cutoff to the house, then the pipe from the tank to the house would seem to be the culprit. Like you, I would think you would see water at the surface at some point, but if you're in a dry spell, maybe not. How long a run is the pipe from your well to the house? If it's not too long, replacing it is simple and uncomplicated, though there will be some shovel work.

[jeannie51]

It is 80-100 feet I think, but my husband is thinking he might dig from the wellhouse to the corner of our house and then run the pipe under the house from there, bypassing the old pipe. This way there is only about 25 feet to dig. Thanks for all your help!