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    dcase22's Avatar
    dcase22 Posts: 5, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Jul 26, 2010, 02:16 AM
    Replacing a water pump pressure tank in house
    Our water pump is cycling every 4 minutes or so for no apparent reason. We have been in the crawl space but cannot find any water leaking or running anywhere. What can be the problem and how quickly do we need to get it fixed?
    hkstroud's Avatar
    hkstroud Posts: 11,929, Reputation: 899
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    #2

    Jul 26, 2010, 03:49 AM

    What type of pump do you have, surface of submersible?
    What type of tank, galvanized or bladder and how large?
    How deep is your well?
    Do you mean that the pump cycles even though no water is being used?
    jlisenbe's Avatar
    jlisenbe Posts: 5,020, Reputation: 157
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    #3

    Jul 26, 2010, 05:39 AM

    This is the key question:

    "Do you mean that the pump cycles even though no water is being used?"
    dcase22's Avatar
    dcase22 Posts: 5, Reputation: 1
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    #4

    Jul 26, 2010, 06:39 AM

    Tank is surface no bladder I don't think. Tank is not very big. Definitely no water running when it cycles - something like every 4 minutes or so.
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
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    #5

    Jul 26, 2010, 07:06 AM
    Hi Dcase,
    You say,
    Tank is surface no bladder I don't think. Tank is not very big.
    What tank do you have? (see images).
    You then tell us ,
    r water pump is cycling every 4 minutes or so for no apparent reason. Definitely no water running when it cycles
    It runs but produces no water? Does it lose prime every time or are you saying it pumps to pressure and shuts down and then starts to pump again? Can you be a little more specific with the details? Back to you, Tom
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    jlisenbe's Avatar
    jlisenbe Posts: 5,020, Reputation: 157
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    #6

    Jul 26, 2010, 08:18 AM

    DCase, based on what you have said so far, especially concerning the fact that the pump is cycling even though no water is being used, points to a faulty checkvalve. The checkvalve prevents water from simply running back into the well from the tank when the pump is not running. If the valve is defective, then your pump will pump the tank full, then the tank empties back into the well, then it pumps full, empties again, and so forth. Does that sound like your situation?
    dcase22's Avatar
    dcase22 Posts: 5, Reputation: 1
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    #7

    Jul 26, 2010, 08:57 AM

    That makes sense to me... I thought maybe it had something to do with pressure?? I have no clue. Is there any type of plumber I should call or should I just wing it?
    dcase22's Avatar
    dcase22 Posts: 5, Reputation: 1
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    #8

    Jul 26, 2010, 08:59 AM

    To answer speedball1. It is small and blue like the ones in the picture. We have water and good pressure when we turn the water on. Only thing is the pump seems to be running to frequently.
    jlisenbe's Avatar
    jlisenbe Posts: 5,020, Reputation: 157
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    #9

    Jul 26, 2010, 10:02 AM

    DC, for your pump to continually cycle when no water is being used anywhere, it has be losing water somewhere. That would mean either a leak somewhere between the tank and the house, or a leaking checkvalve. This site will describe the checkvalve:

    Water system check valve location & purpose - private pump and well system do-it-yourself repairs

    Is your pump above ground or in the well?
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