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kerchofer · Nov 16, 2011, 04:59 PM

I just purchased a home and the water was turned off. I have a jet pump and primed it properly and turned it on. The problem is the pump runs, good pressure (50 psi) the pump will run and pressure will remain for approximately 10 minutes and then it bottoms out and I have no water again. I am getting water from well as it comes out when I remove the check valve. I am an amateur and have little knowledge about plumbing so can anyone give me an answer on what to look for. Thank you

jlisenbe · Nov 16, 2011, 05:51 PM

A few questions:
1. Will the pump get up to cut off pressure and turn off, or does it just constantly run?
2. If it does get to cut off pressure and cut off, will it hold that pressure?
3. Not sure what you meant about removing the checkvalve. Can you restate that?
4. How many pipes go into the well, one or two?

kerchofer · Nov 17, 2011, 09:54 AM

Pump continuously runs. Not check valve sorry primer. I have 2 pipes from well to pump

jlisenbe · Nov 17, 2011, 12:55 PM

A few points. Your system has an electrical pressure switch that is to turn the pump off when it reaches a set point. It sounds like yours is not reaching that cut off point. In other words, you would like for your pump to cutoff at 45 or 50# to keep it from running nonstop which is REALLY a bad idea. This site has a great description of how to adjust that.

How to adjust water pump pressure, pump cut-on pressure and pump cut-off pressure - private pump and well system do-it-yourself repairs

Your second problem involves the volume of water the well seems able to deliver. You say the well can get to 50# and stay there for a few minutes, but as you use water the pressure drops down to near zero. That tells us the well simply cannot deliver enough water to keep up with the use. If possible, you might want to ask the former owner if they experienced that.

One more item. At the top of your pressure tank is a small air valve similar to what is found on a tire. Depress the valve core for a few seconds. You should get only air. If you get water, then that is not good.

Let's start there and see what you get.

kerchofer · Nov 17, 2011, 04:38 PM

Thank you very much jlisenbe. I appreciate all of your input and help. I won't be able to work in the house until this weekend but I will keep you posted. Too bad you are not my neighbor, this would be a whole lot easier!. lol

jlisenbe · Nov 17, 2011, 06:52 PM

Stay in touch!