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    deral10's Avatar
    deral10 Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Apr 21, 2009, 10:10 AM
    Well pump runs too often
    When we use water in the house the well pump runs for about 1 second then is off for about 5 seconds and then repeats. Is this normal or shouldn't the pump run for a few seconds at a time? Would a water logged tank bladder cause this, and how do you fix the problem?
    creahands's Avatar
    creahands Posts: 2,854, Reputation: 195
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    #2

    Apr 22, 2009, 04:17 AM

    Hi deral

    The pressure control valve should be set ,normally, at 30 psi on and 50 psi off.

    If the difference between on/off is less,pump would cycle more often.

    Adjustment info is inside valve cover. Hope this helps.

    Good luck

    Chuck
    jlisenbe's Avatar
    jlisenbe Posts: 5,020, Reputation: 157
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    #3

    Apr 22, 2009, 05:36 AM

    Probably your tank is waterlogged. If it's a bladder tank, that would mean the bladder is ruptured. Press the valve at the top of the tank for a second or two. If water comes out, then the tank is shot. You can get by for a while by draining the tank (system off, open outside faucet till water stops running), then putting in air until the pressure reads 2 pounds below the cuton pressure. But this will only last a few months at best.
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
    Eternal Plumber
    		  
    #4

    Apr 22, 2009, 05:55 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by deral10 View Post
    When we use water in the house the well pump runs for about 1 second then is off for about 5 seconds and then repeats. Is this normal or shouldn't the pump run for a few seconds at a time? Would a water logged tank bladder cause this, and how do you fix the problem?
    A ruptured bladder sounds most likely. Let's check and see. To check, just knock on the side of the tank starting at the bottom. If it "klunks" the same all the way up the tank is water logged. Or you could pop the snifter valve on top of the tank. If water comes out then change the tank. You could try injecting air in at the valve but if the bladder is ruptured it won't take care of the problem. The answer is to replace the bladder tank. Hope this helps and thank you for rating my reply. TOM
    jlisenbe's Avatar
    jlisenbe Posts: 5,020, Reputation: 157
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    #5

    Apr 22, 2009, 09:22 AM

    Injecting air in the tank is not a long-term solution, but if you need a "quick fix" for a few days until you can get a new tank installed, it will work fine. It certainly beats just turning off the pump and having no water. You will have basically the same thing as with the bladder intact. The difference is that the air will eventually dissolve into the water and you will be back to where you are now.
    deral10's Avatar
    deral10 Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
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    #6

    Apr 22, 2009, 07:29 PM

    It was a ruptured bladder in the pressure tank and the tank has been replaced. Thanks guys for your responses.
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
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    #7

    Apr 23, 2009, 04:15 AM
    Thanksfor the update, Tom
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