[CanadianWeasel]

We've a dry pressure tank, but still have (minimal) water pressure so it would seem that the well pump is still functioning properly. From what I can tell, and I'm certainly no expert, this would indicate some sort of blockage going to the pressure tank.

My mission, should I choose to accept it, is to shut down the pump and remove the pressure tank from the system. I will then attempt to determine if there is a blockage and clean it, or determine if there is another cause (collapsed bladder, perhaps?).

Is there any advice, caveats or other that anyone could share with me before I attempt to tackle this job?

It would seem rather straightforward to me to simply uncouple the tank, check and then reattach (using appropriate methods), but since I'm not an expert I want to make sure that I am not trotting into trouble.

Thanks.

[speedball1]

Does the pump get up to cut-off pressure and stop? What is the cut-off pressure set at and what's the current house pressure t this time?
Back to you. Tom

[CanadianWeasel]

Does the pump get up to cut-off pressure and stop? What is the cut-off pressure set at and what's the current house pressure t this time?
Back to you. Tom

I'll have to check on those things when I get home.

I'm not sure what the cut off pressure is, I've not checked. Pressure is currently hovering between lower to mid 40s and doesn't seem to vary regardless of usage. The tank remains dry of water whether water is used or not. The only pressure seems to be coming from the pump itself.

[jlisenbe]

When you say the tank is empty, I assume you mean it is light and can be picked up/moved around without much effort. That does not mean it is empty. The pressure is not from the pump. It is from the air in the tank "pushing" against the water. You can do what you have suggested... won't hurt anything. But SB is on the right track. Turn water on, watch the pressure gauge. It should SLOWLY move down to the cut in point, then climb, still somewhat slowly, to the cut out point. Those are the two measures he wants.

[CanadianWeasel]

OK. I did that. Left the water on for a bit, it dropped to 38 and didn't budge from that point. When I turn the water off, it pops back up to 44 within a few seconds.

I've done the tap test of the tank and it's definitely devoid of water. It's my understanding that it is suppose to fill up with water to the point of the bladder under norm use.

If it's clogged, it seems a rather simple chore that I can manage, beyond that it might be out of my scope. If it was a network server, I'd have a much better idea of what to do, sadly it is not and thus I'm limited in my capabilities, but reading and doing is definitely giving me more understanding. I'm also stubborn and insist on trying things for myself first. I certainly appreciate the guidance here, however. Thanks.

More: When I turn off the well pump the pressure drops to about 22 and the tank sounds like it's "hissing". When I turn the well pump back on, it sounds like there is water trickling through the tank, it also leaves quite a bit of air in the lines and the water is 'dirty'.

Tank, by the way, is a Read Lion RL33.