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nivlac919 · Jan 23, 2013, 10:59 AM

Hi there,

My wife and I rent a fairly old home that has its own well. In the last week or so we've noticed that the water pressure cuts out fairly quickly when using the shower for a while. I had a instance yesterday where just as I was finishing rinsing off, the stream (which was otherwise sufficient during the shower) suddenly dropped to almost nothing in a matter of a few seconds.

We typically experience a small pressure loss after running the shower for a few minutes, but you're still able to finish your shower (even a long one) without any problem rinsing off.

This morning I got in the shower, and within 60 seconds had completely lost my water pressure. It was basically falling out of the faucet rendering me unable to actually take my shower. I got out and toweled off, which took about 3 minutes. I then restarted the shower, and to my surprise it had pressure again. A scant 30-45 seconds later it was back to falling out of the showerhead again.

I'd like to get a better idea of what's going on here, but I'm completely ignorant when it comes to plumbing and DIY type stuff. Is this something that the cold weather could have caused, or am I looking at a well / well pump problem? Or is it some other problem?

Any help or insight will be appreciated.

Other Pertinent Info:
I live in PA, it's been at or below freezing for the last 4 days. However, we did not experience this problem last winter.

Both the wife and I used the bathroom (and flushed) prior to me getting in the shower this morning. Typically I wait 5 minutes after flushing before getting in the shower, and this has never caused a problem.

My electric quickly flicked off and on while I was at work yesterday, causing the dish washer to stop during the wash cycle.

This became an issue 7 days ago.

hkstroud · Jan 23, 2013, 11:33 AM

First tell us what type of well pump you have, surface or submersible and what type of tank you have galvanized pressure tank or painted bladder tank and size of tank.

Read pressure gauge after no water has been used for 5 to 10 minutes. Open a faucet and take note of how long it takes for pump to come on, how fast pressure gauge drops, and at what pressure the pump comes on. Then close faucet take note of how fast pressure gauge increases and how long it takes pump to shut off.

nivlac919 · Jan 23, 2013, 11:43 AM

It is below ground, so I'm going to go with submersible. Unfortunately I do not know what kind/size tank I have, and I'm at work unable to check.

To be honest, I don't even know where my pressure gauge is nor do I recall ever hearing the pump come on. I rent, so these things are usually not a concern since the rental management agency will send someone out to fix it.

As I mentioned in my first post, I'm quite ignorant to all of this, so my apologies for that. I'm just trying to learn some basics to get a general understanding of what's going on and why.

Again, my apologies for being unable to provide more specific info. =(

kennnthomas · Jan 23, 2013, 11:58 AM

Nl,

The key word in your Q is "rent"; you wouldn't know if pump relay is defunct or has got out of adjustment (which happens, eventually), if contacts are worn (burst of static on AM radio when pump starts) or if tank seal is compromised or tank needs repressurization with tire pump. Pump could be damaged.. . and ,least likely, well may need clean-out. All the above are in DESCENDING order of likely-hood. STEP 1: turn off pump. Let shower run till system drains. If this doesn't happen promptly, remove shower head and
Clean. Close all faucets. Pump up tank to 28 psi. turn on pump. This will probably work. If not , get back to me for step 2. kthomas

nivlac919 · Jan 23, 2013, 12:08 PM

Originally Posted by nivlac919

Unfortunately I do not know what kind/size tank I have, and I'm at work unable to check.

I was able to get in touch with my landlord who let me know that we have a bladder tank, but he wasn't sure of the exact size.

He also told me that the well pump is outside of the house, and also underground (which I think explains why I've never heard it from inside the house).

He also said that based on what I described, it sounded like the well pump and the hot water heater (which apparently was installed in 1985, is also leaking, unbeknownst to me) were to blame.

At any rate, they are going to send someone out to have a look. Hopefully they can get it fixed sooner than later. Being cold and unshowered is a terrible combination.

Thanks for the help here fellas.

hkstroud · Jan 23, 2013, 12:33 PM

it sounded like the well pump and the hot water heater

Water heater will not be a factor here.

If it is a painted well tank it is likely to be a ruptured bladder and water logged tank.

kennnthomas · Jan 23, 2013, 04:59 PM

Originally Posted by hkstroud

Water heater will not be a factor here.

If it is a painted well tank it is likely to be a ruptured bladder and water logged tank.

Agreed. There were no responses from expert-types when I wrote answer so I assumed most likely set-up for rural area and most likely first test that would not break standard lease.

jlisenbe · Jan 23, 2013, 07:54 PM

Could be a weak pump. Might be a bad bladder, but that doesn't usually just come out of nowhere. It develops over time as the air at the top of the tank is dissolved. When the water get down to a dribble, that is what your pump is delivering. Doesn't sound good.

Niv, do us a favor and let us know how it turns out.