[PLMcConnachie]

We live on a hill. The well and storage tank are down below. The storage tank pump pumps the water up to the pressure tank on the side of the house. During all of this problem time, the storage tank has remained full, with the storage tank pump running, but the pressure tank not filling. I have a Square D pumptrol, on 30/off 50 pressure switch. I had a plumber come out after not having water in the house for 3 days and he partially flipped the pressure switch, held it for about 10 seconds and the tank began to fill. The pressure switch gage bounced between 30 and 50 until the tank filled. Nothing chattered. He said the pressure switch seemed to be working and maybe there was some ice in it (?). Now every other day of so, I have to go out to the pressure tank house and do the same thing to get water into the house. As soon as I do this I noticed that the gage immediately jumps to 40 and does't take long to (seconds) to have water in the house, then the switch shuts off, leading me to believe the pressure tank is already full. Can you adivse, please?

[jlisenbe]

There are parts of your message that are confusing. At first you say the pump is running but the pressure tank does not fill and there is no water in the house, then you say that the plumber "flipped the pressure switch, held it for about ten seconds and the tank began to fill", meaning that the switch cut the pump on. So, it's hard to say if the pump is running or not. If the pump is running but not delivering water to the tank, then you have a pump problem. If the switch is not engaging and has to be "flipped", then the switch would seem to be the problem. I'd check a few things:

1. Push the air valve at the top of your tank for a few seconds. If water comes out, then the bladder in the tank is bad and you need a new tank.
2. Drain the system to zero pressure, then set the pressure at the top of the tank to 2# below the cut in pressure for the system.
3. If you have no water in the house, then look at the points on the switch. They should be closed (contacting each other). If they are not, then remove the switch and check the small pipe leading to the switch. Make sure it's not clogged. If it's not, then the switch might be your problem. It should work without having to be "flipped".
4. Bear one thing in mind. If by "flipped" you mean you are pushing the little lever on the side of the switch, then there is a reason for that. When system pressure drops more than 10# or so below the cut in point, then the switch disables itself, "thinking" that the pump cannot build pressure because there is no water to pump. It's a pump protection feature. So if that's what you are describing, then you have to find out why the pressure is dropping so low.

Does that make sense?

[PLMcConnachie]

Yes, it makes sense. Pressure switch was cleaned and pipe to too. It was ugly. If this does not fix the problem, we will have to go under the house to check the lines. We are disabled, so son & grandson are helping us. We have been flipping the side lever on the switch box every day for water. The tank is bladderless (120 gal/ 75 psi) and it is dry around it. Pipes go into the bottom of tank for incoming and outgoing water; the incoming pipe appears to have a valve on it, but no handle. That valve had water on the top of it, but not so much that there was a wet spot beneath it, could this be a "leak".

[jlisenbe]

I'm going to guess that what you did is going to help. The little pipe being clogged up is frequently a problem. Don't bother going under the house to check the lines as that is probably not your problem. Let us know if cleaning the pipe/switch does not fix your problem.