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rbshump · Jul 18, 2009, 05:44 PM

We have no water. Replaced the pressure switch on the bladder tank, but the water coming from the well will go straight to the faucets, the tank will not fill. The gauge on the tank goes to about 20 then drops to zero. There was a lot of sediment or rust in the small pipe leading to the pressure switch, could it be a clogged pipe? The cold water bladder tank was installed in 1997. Any tips for trouble shooting before I have to call a plumber would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

jmjoseph · Jul 18, 2009, 05:55 PM

The bladder in your tank may be busted. I had to replace my tank for the same reason. When you push in on the valve stem on the top of the tank, does water come out?

mr500 · Jul 18, 2009, 05:56 PM

If you turn off the faucets in the house, and the pump kicks on then the tank is the only place for the water to back up too. If it is not going into the tanks at all, then yes you could have a blocked line or something.

First check the air pressure in the bladder. Mine is around 28 psi. I check it with a regular tire gage and add as needed. If the bladder is not properly inflated you will have NO/little pressure as well if the bladder in the tank has busted you will not have any pressure. The inflated "balloon" or bladder is what gives you the pressure.

jlisenbe · Jul 18, 2009, 07:40 PM

RB, you have probably stated your problem. Replace the little pipe leading to the switch. If your system is going to 20# and then shutting off, then the switch is the probable problem and the little pipe being clogged is a common culprit. You do not have any symptoms of a ruptured bladder. BTW, what are the preset pressures on your new switch? Usually it will be a 20/40 or a 30/50. Have you tried adjusting the switch?

With a 30/50 switch, you would like the pump to get up to 50# or so and shut off, then cut back on at 30#. Also, you need to get at least 5 or 6 gallons of water from the tank before the pressure falls to the cut in point, perhaps more than that depending on the size of the pressure tank.

MR, no offense intended, but you should not have to add air to a bladder tank "as needed". You should set the pressure to 2# BELOW the cut in pressure. So, if your cut in pressure is 30#, then 28# would be correct. BTW, this should be set with the tank empty and no pressure on the system. Once set, it should not have to be adjusted by adding air "as needed".

rbshump · Jul 18, 2009, 08:39 PM

The new switch is a 20/40 and the tank has around 18lbs of pressure. It doesn't appear to be leaking air. When I turn the power to the pump off for a few minutes and turn it back on I can hear water coming in from the well and going through the pipes but the tank does not fill. I am keeping the tank turned off to keep from doing damage to the well pump.

jlisenbe · Jul 18, 2009, 08:51 PM

It is not unusual for the tank to not fill very much. That is because it is full of air at first, but as you use it, the air under the bladder will dissolve into the water and it will fill as it should. It will take a few weeks.

My main concern is your statement that the pressure goes to 20# and then the pump turns off. Your pump should be shutting off at 40#, not 20#.