Check out some similar questions!

alec33 · Sep 14, 2010, 08:58 PM

Eric, I have a well that is about 55' deep I have a lot of air in the lines I'm not really sure if there is a foot valve at the bottom I know there is not one at the top I think I have a small leek at the top were it comes out of the ground. I was wondering if I fix that leek and add a check valve at the top if that would fix the problem?

speedball1 · Sep 15, 2010, 06:41 AM

If you're not losing prime every time the pump shuts off then I suspect the foot valve's OK. Do you have to keep priming the pump?
Do you get any dirt up with the water?
Repair the leak on the suction line and get back to me with the results. Good luck, nTom

alec33 · Sep 17, 2010, 08:35 PM

Eric well I fixed the leek on top and I know the check valve is working because the water didn't go down when I took off the top pipe there is a little air valve on the top of my pressure tank like for a tire is that to let out air from the system

speedball1 · Sep 18, 2010, 05:33 AM

Originally Posted by ;

there is a little air valve on the top of my pressure tank like for a tire is that to let out air from the system

No Eric! That valve is to charge the bladder tank, Let me show you how a bladder tank works, (see image.
Let me explain the function of a bladder tank. Pressure and bladder tanks provide a air cushion that produces water pressure in your system so your pump doesn't kick on every time you draw a glass of water. A bladder tank has a neoprene membrane in the center. As the pump puts water into the bottom half of the bladder tank the membrane compresses the air in the top half. When the pressure reaches the cut off point in the control box the pump shuts down. However you still have between 40 to 50 pounds of pressure pushing the water out to your system. As the pressure drops in the tank when you make a draw the pump kicks on and everything starts over again.
To check, take something metal and start rapping at the bottom of the tank and work upwards. You will hear a "clunk" in the bottom half full of water. On the upper half you should hear a "clink" because the upper half should have nothing but air in it. IF the sound doesn't change or changes close to to tank top then the bladder tank must be replaced. Your air setting on the tank should be 2 pounds UNDER the cut in point in the pressure control box. If your pressure control has a 20 PSI cut in and 40 PSI cut out the tank pressure should read 18 PSI. The bladder tank setting MUST be made with the pump off and the system bled down by opening a cold water faucet after you shut the system down at the breaker box. Hope this helps and thank you for rating my reply. Tom