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pestolover · Aug 18, 2009, 10:07 AM

We resently had to replace our water pump at our cottage due to it cracking over the winter from not winterizing it correctly. Our brother in law forgot to pull the plug. So with that said we had to replace it with an sjo7 gould3/4 horse water pump. We had had nothing but problems with it. We thought that it was faulty so we took it back to where we bought it and had them look it over. Everything checked out fine so we reinstalled it. They suggested that we treat the well with acid since a new pump might be suctioning up sludge into the screen, so we did that as well. It seemed to work more efficiently but something is just not right. We loose water pressure and it takes a while for the pump to build up water pressure again. It seems to be cycling often and can't keep up with the demand. If we use our garden hose we loose the pressure in the house where nothing is coming out of the faucets. But if we wait for 5-10 min. it will work again. We can't run the washer and take a shower because of a drop in water pressure. We have it What have we done wrong?

jlisenbe · Aug 18, 2009, 10:39 AM

Do you have a water filter or softener on your system?

One other thing. When the pump froze, did the pressure tank and water lines freeze as well?

pestolover · Aug 18, 2009, 11:05 AM

We do have a water softener on our system.
I don't know if the water lines and pressure tank froze as well

We do have it set at 28 psi is that too low?

We have a dirt floor since it is under our cottage in a crawl space would there we evidence of that being wet?

pestolover · Aug 18, 2009, 12:01 PM

Now that I think about your question above, more intensely I think I may have answered the question wrong. We have a water softener unit separate from the water pump. We did not have any pipes freeze in the cottage or under the cottage.

jlisenbe · Aug 18, 2009, 03:10 PM

The water softener may be your problem. It probably has a bypass on it. Turn the bypass valve and see if that helps. If it does, then you have found your problem.

What you are describing is not a pressure problem so much as a volume problem. That is why you cannot run the shower with the washing machine, because you don't have sufficient water volume. Now, you might still have the pressure too low, but it is still a volume problem you are describing here.

The pressure in the tank should be set 2# below the pressure at which the pump cuts on. The only way to determine that is to listen to your switch while you watch the pressure gauge. If your pump cuts on (you will hear a click) at, for instance, 35#, then the tank pressure should be set at 33#. Turn off the system, drain the pressure off through a nearby faucet, set the tank pressure, then turn the system back on.

pestolover · Aug 19, 2009, 07:35 AM

Thank you! I appreciate your time in trying to help us. I can't even begin to tell you our frustration. We are going back up this weekend and will try what you have suggested. I will let you know our results next week. The water does surge and fluctuates so does this suggest we havea pressure problem as well? Our brother in law thinks we need to have a new well drilled but the problem never existed before the mishap with not pulling the plug.

jlisenbe · Aug 20, 2009, 07:57 AM

I don't think the well is your problem. Get back to us once you check the softener out this weekend. One thing: When you say it surges, watch the pressure gauge when this is happening and note its readings such as how much the pressure changes and how long these surges last.

pestolover · Aug 20, 2009, 08:17 AM

Ok, thanks! We will check.
Again, thank you for your input!!

pestolover · Aug 25, 2009, 01:16 PM

Hi, I'm getting back to you after the weekend. But here is the deal. We never got a chance to check anything out since we spent the entire weekend putting a new floor in our bathroom. One thing lead to another as you can well imagine. Nothing is ever easy when dealing with a water problem. Ripped up the luan, subfloor, bleached, kilz, lined the tank with styrofoam, new valves, painted, caulked and on and on. All unrelated to the pump situation. The floor has been replaced and it looks absolutely amazing. So we are returning this weekend to check the pump and do finishing touches on the bathroom. I can tell you one thing... a weekend without a toilet really makes you appreciate modern conveniences!! Sorry that we didn't get a moment to go through steps you suggested. We did ask my brother in law if he had the softener valve turned off and he did say he did. The water this weekend did surge up and down at the kitchen faucet when nothing else was on, something that I took note of. But, we will look more closely this weekend.

pestolover · Sep 21, 2009, 10:02 AM

Jlisenbe,
Very sorry that I am just getting back to you. My husband felt that it was my brother in laws responsibility to make it right so we have had to wait for him to make the changes. He reset the pump to the correct psi over Labor day weekend. We went up this past weekend and it seems to be running a lot smoother. Thank you for your advice. It was very much appreciated and I just didn't feel it was right to not get back to you and let you know how grateful we were to get your advice. Please know how much you have and can help someone that is very frustrated. :)