[scottinsullivan]

I have a house that's about 90 yrs old but plumbing was changed over to copper except the pipe going from basement to 2nd floor.I have low water pressure in whole house,if taking a shower on 2nd floor and another tap is turned on the shower will go off. I have a well about 12 yrs old. The other day I had the tub running and the sink and sediment started to come out with the hot water on.Today I changed out the whole house sediment filter to a whole new unit.When done I turned water on upstairs,pressure was the same and when I flushed the toilet it made a funny air popping noise and the tank filled up with sediment?
How long do pressure tanks last for well.Someone said it might be the bladder in tank? Can it be checked somehow? Would a water heater cause this,its about 5yrs old and I never flushed it. Hope someone can help... thank you.

[hkstroud]

First thing to do is flush the water heater. Connect a hose to the drain at the bottom and open. Let water run until clear. Sometimes you have difficulty getting valve to seal after flushing because of sediment, if you have this problem install cap on valve. Toilet noise was probably from air trapped in line when line was opened to change filter. Sediment was probably knocked loose from pipe by surging water.

[albinfla]

You did the right thing to change that filter cartridge. Harold is correct, that when you changed it, you created air in the lines. The filter could still be the reason for low-pressure. If you want to find out, simply remove the cartridge and screw the housing back on. Then, test the pressure and see if it improved. You'll have to purge the air first, then determine if pressure clears. Use the tub instead of a sink so you don't plug an aerator with sediment.

It sounds like you have low pressure on hot and cold water. That would indicate an issue with your supply. The sediment is possibly being drawn in by your well pump. If you have a flush valve at the well, open and close it several times with some time between each blow-off. Observe what you get. Do you get sediment in with the water? You could flush it into a bucket so that you can see the sediment.

Another possible cause of both is a cracked line between the well and the house. It sounds like it would be impossible to pick up sediment in a pressurized line, but I've seen it happen several times. That would also account for your low pressure.

What pressures is your gauge showing at the well? Has the pressure always been low, or did it recently drop?
Al

[scottinsullivan]

Well... I turned off power to the well pump and drained out the tank.The pressure reade 8lbs,the pump turns on at 20 and off about 55 so I put the pressure to 20lbs and water pressure is a lot better.. why the drop... bad bellows? I'll have to keep an eye on it. Should I change the pump setting so it goes on about 30 so it does not get so low?

[hkstroud]

Yes, set the pressure to 30-50 or 40-60. Precharge tank (empty) to 2 lbs below cut-in pressure. Did you flush the water heater?

[scottinsullivan]

No.. didnt do the water heater yet... So I put a hose on the bottom and turn the water on on the 2nd floor? Or can I just drain it out?

[hkstroud]

Connect hose to the valve at the bottom of water heater, put other end in floor drain or sink. Open valve at bottom of water heater and let water run until clear. All you are doing is flushing out the sediment that has settled in the bottom of the water heater.