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    tammyhartsfield's Avatar
    tammyhartsfield Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    May 20, 2011, 07:09 PM
    Water pressure drops after running for about 1 minute
    For some reason my water pressure drops to 5 psi after running the water for about 1 minute. The pressure switch is working correctly and replace it with a new one just to make sure. That is not the problem. The well pump is building up to the correct pressure and turning off at 60psi. Then I turn the water on and after running for 1 to 1.5 minutes the pressure quickly drops to 5 psi. It remains at that pressure and will not build back up. What could be my problem?

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    hkstroud's Avatar
    hkstroud Posts: 11,929, Reputation: 899
    Home Improvement & Construction Expert
    		  
    #2

    May 21, 2011, 03:35 AM

    What kind of tank do you have, a pressure tank or a bladder tank?
    Pressure tanks are usually unpainted galvanize. Bladder tanks are usually painted and have an air valve on top.

    I assume that a few minutes after you turn the water off, the pressure in the tank returns to 60#. Correct?
    jlisenbe's Avatar
    jlisenbe Posts: 5,020, Reputation: 157
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    #3

    May 21, 2011, 06:35 AM

    How long does it take to pump from 5# back to 60# once you turn the water off? It certainly sounds like your pump is not delivering nearly enough volume of water to maintain pressure.
    tammyhartsfield's Avatar
    tammyhartsfield Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
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    #4

    May 21, 2011, 01:33 PM
    It takes approx. 1 minute, not very long at all. I am sure the pressure is coming up correctly. It's junt not maintaning the pressure. I hope it is not the pump.
    tammyhartsfield's Avatar
    tammyhartsfield Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
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    #5

    May 21, 2011, 01:35 PM
    Comment on hkstroud's post
    I do have a bladder tank. And yes the pressure does return correctly. It's not maintaining the pressure after the builded pressure flows out of the hose.
    jlisenbe's Avatar
    jlisenbe Posts: 5,020, Reputation: 157
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    #6

    May 21, 2011, 01:46 PM

    Your bladder tank has a little air valve at the top, like on a tire. Push it down for a few seconds. Does water come out?

    Is your pump is the well or above ground? If above ground, does it have two pipes going into the well or just one?
    jlisenbe's Avatar
    jlisenbe Posts: 5,020, Reputation: 157
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    #7

    May 21, 2011, 01:48 PM

    Let me add this. Your system needs to be able to deliver at least five gallons a minute. To test that, simply run water from an outdoor faucet into a five gallon bucket and see if it can fill it in one minute. It should be able to do that several times in a row. Try it and see.
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