[jakee302]

Last few days my submersible pump is running even when the tank is full. When I tap on the tank, the pump shuts off but only until I run water in the house again.

[hkstroud]

when I tap on the tank, the pump shuts off

Very strange.

Where is you pump switch located? Is it on the well pipe or does it work off a small tube from the tank?

[jlisenbe]

Have you checked for a waterlogged tank? Depress the valve stem on the air valve at the top for a few seconds. If water comes out, then you've found your problem.

[jakee302]

Have you checked for a waterlogged tank? Depress the valve stem on the air valve at the top for a few seconds. If water comes out, then you've found your problem.

What does the valve stem look like? Do I need a well person or a plumber?

[jlisenbe]

Look at the top of your pressure tank. There should be an air valve similar to what you see on a car tire. Press the little, central stem on the inside of that valve for four or five seconds. If air comes out, then good. If water comes out, then the tank needs to be replaced.

All this is assuming you have what is called a bladder type tank, which is normally the case. If your tank is painted, then you have one. Those tanks have a rubber seal which divides the inside of the tank in half, separating the water on the bottom of the tank from the air at the top. If the seal ruptures, then you will eventually have a tank full of water with no air. Your problem does not entirely sound like a tank problem, but it is so easy to check that it's a good place to start.

As to whether to call a plumber, that's your call. I have a feeling that the points on your switch are sticking shut. When you tap the tank, the points separate and the pump shuts off. When you use several gallons of water, the points come back together, as they should, and turn the pump back on. You do want to get this resolved quickly because it's hard on a pump to simply sit there and run at high pressure.

If you are comfortable with some simple electrical and plumbing work, we can continue this. Otherwise, call some help. Probably will not be a bank-busting visit, though it's hard to say sitting hundreds of miles away on the internet.

[jakee302]

I had someone check it out and the answer was in the place where the points are located. The "push switch" was replaced and it is operating normally again.

[jlisenbe]

Glad to hear that.