 |
|
|
 |
New Member
|
|
Oct 25, 2009, 01:30 PM
|
|
Sudden water loss
We purchased a fairly new home about a year and a half ago (home built in 2003). Recently (last few weeks), the water pressure frequently weakens and then cuts out completely (both hot and cold water). However, if we turn the water off for just a little bit (1 minute or less) the pressure returns, as if nothing had happened.
We are on a well and have pvc pipes. Typically the water pressure is great, until it acts up and then we know that we are going to lose water completely and then it will come back. Any suggestions on where to start with this problem?
|
|
 |
Eternal Plumber
|
|
Oct 26, 2009, 06:05 AM
|
|
Could it be a lowered water table? The pump lowers the table until it sucks air until the table fills up again. How long is the period that the water's off? What's the bladder tank setting? Back to you, Tom
|
|
 |
New Member
|
|
Oct 26, 2009, 06:30 AM
|
|
Tom-
Thank you for your response. The water is only off for a very short period, never more than a minute. After a little more searching with the system, it seems as if the switch is not triggering the pump properly. The pump does not turn on until after the pressure in the tank hits 20 psi and does not cut out until the pressure in the tank is almost 80 psi and there seems to be a delay in the switch. The settings on the switch indicate that it is a 40/60 switch, so now we are trying to figure out if this is the switch or the pressure tank. We assume the loss in water is coming from the delay between when the tank empties and when the switch flips to alert the pump that there is no water? Any suggestions. Water table should be fine... we are on the east coast and have had significant rain... even during the severe droughts over the past two years, we have had no problems with the water table!
THanks
|
|
 |
Eternal Plumber
|
|
Oct 26, 2009, 06:49 AM
|
|
Your pressure control sounds faulty. That's the first thing I would replace. Or have you been adjusting the two springs in the box? Let me know, Tom
|
|
 |
New Member
|
|
Oct 26, 2009, 07:40 AM
|
|
That is definitely where we are starting... and then on to the tank. We have not messed with the springs at all, but might just be safer to just replace the switch. We will go from there and then report back for more help as needed!
Thank you for your help!
|
|
 |
Uber Member
|
|
Oct 26, 2009, 04:30 PM
|
|
BP, be sure to replace the little pipe leading to the switch. I'd be willing to bet it's clogged up.
|
|
 |
New Member
|
|
Oct 26, 2009, 05:25 PM
|
|
We have replaced the switch and are still having the same problem (did not clean/replace the pipe -got this message too late). Based on the pressure gauge, the well pump cuts on when the gauge is at 40 psi (with the new switch) and does cut off when the gauge reaches 60 psi; however, the tank is already empty when the gauge reaches 40 psi... so we seem to have a lapse between when the tank is empty and the gauge actually indicates that the tank is empty.
Could this be remedied by just cleaning out/replacing the pipe? Could this be a leak somewhere? Thank you both for your help... we are pretty frustrated and do not want to call a well person for something that could be an easy fix.
|
|
 |
Uber Member
|
|
Oct 26, 2009, 08:50 PM
|
|
I'd replace the gauge (cheap) and the little pipe (even cheaper). The most dependable pressure gauge you have is how much water comes out of the faucet. If nothing is coming out, then you have next to no pressure, no matter what the gauge says. It might be sticking on 40#.
BTW, do you have a water filter/softener on this system?
ONe more question. When water is not being used, will the system hold steady pressure?
|
|
 |
Home Improvement & Construction Expert
|
|
Oct 27, 2009, 05:16 AM
|
|
Assuming you have a bladder tank, check the air pressure when the tank is empty.
Turn off pump breakers. Empty all of the water in the tank. Open faucet, if you have a drain at the tank open it. Check air pressure. Pressure should be 38# with tank empty.
|
|
 |
New Member
|
|
Oct 27, 2009, 06:17 PM
|
|
Thanks to everyone who responded... we replaced the switch and gauge... and the little pipe leading to the switch... and so far so good! The little pipe leading to the switch was completely clogged!
Thank you for your help! Saved us a ton of money!
|
|
 |
Eternal Plumber
|
|
Oct 29, 2009, 05:43 AM
|
|
We thank you for the update. Jlisenbe nailed it! Regards, Tom
|
|
Question Tools |
Search this Question |
|
|
Add your answer here.
Check out some similar questions!
Sudden loss of water pressure
[ 6 Answers ]
I was using a shower, one of two in my home, and the water pressure suddenly dropped quite considerably. So much so that it made it difficult to finnish my shower. The other shower works fine and there doesn't seem to be any other water problems in the house. What could the problem be?
Sudden loss of water pressure - have well
[ 1 Answers ]
I have a well - just moved "to the country". This morning, water pressure was VERY low throughout the house, including filtered refrigerator water, sinks, showers, etc. then eventually NO WATER comes out.
Where do I begin trying to figure out the problem? What type of professional should I...
Sudden Loss of Water Pressure
[ 1 Answers ]
About a week ago we lost water pressure throughout the house and yard (sprinklers). Both hot and cold are affected. My house was built in 1999, copper pipes, we do have water softener (it was without salt for about 2 months), we use city water. The city checked the pressure at the street end and...
Sudden Water Pressure Loss
[ 4 Answers ]
I woke up this morning and noticed a significant loss in the water pressure in my house. The water is coming out of the faucets at less than half it's normal pressure and the water going to our irrigation system had such low pressure that the sprinkler heads would not even rotate. I have zero...
View more questions
Search
|