[chparkwood]

I am getting reading 10# pressure on my pressure gauge from my well water. I changed the pressure gauge and Pressure switch and still only get 10#'s of pressure. Any suggestions on what to do next? I was told it may be my well pump, which constantly runs due to the low pressure (if it is well pump, can I do this). I can't even use the dishwasher or take a shower. Any help appreciated.

[jlisenbe]

Is your pump submersible or above ground?

[chparkwood]

My pump is submersible.

[jlisenbe]

Well, it is possible that your pump has lost an impeller or two and will no longer pump up to pressure. If I was you, I would want to disconnect from the pressure tank just to see what kind of volume I'm getting from the pump. It generally doesn't take long to do that and you can get a pretty good idea of what the pump is doing. It is possible that you have a significant leak in your well pipe somewhere but not likely. My experience is that an obstruction in the pipe would not prevent the pump from getting up to pressure unless it is practically a complete blockage of the pipe. I am also not aware that a defective backflow valve would cause the problem you are describing.

Changing the pump on a submersible is not easy. The well pipe is generally in twenty foot sections so you must pull up that much at a time, tie it off, unscrew that section, then pull up pipe again, being careful NOT to drop the whole thing into the well. If you are less than a hundred feet down, then maybe not too bad, but more than that is tough. I have a friend who pulled his up by using a tree limb that conveniently grew over his well.

Others on this board may have a better answer. BTW, how old is the pump?

[chparkwood]

I just bought the house 2 years ago, but the house is only 12 years old. BTW, thanks for the advice.

[jlisenbe]

I had a pro replace my sub pump about four years ago. Cost about a thousand dollars. That included 140' of new well pipe.