Well - switch, tank, pump troubleshooting

Symptoms: once the tank has drawn down we lose water pressure. Can't shower, running faucets is ok.

The switch kicks in and out when it hits the right pressure according to gauge. This makes me think it's fine.

When the switch kicks in, the tank quickly gets to 40# but struggles to get any higher if anything is open, the shower pulls it way low. The switch is a 30/50 and I did tweak it and it moved in the right direction but symptoms persisted.

I suspected tank, so I replaced. No go, same exact problems.

Aside from swapping switch, is there anything I can troubleshoot further?

I will call the well guy in the morning, really convinced myself it was the tank, but that was perhaps me just being cheap (not that $300 for tank and fittings is cheap.)

 

I assume by tank you mean the air bladder/pressure tank?
Did you check/set the air pressure on the tank? Should be 28 PSI in your case... (2 PSI below the cut in pressure)
EDIT: Pressure checked with water pressure bled off...

 

Yes pressure tank, and no, I did not.

 

See my edit above...

 

Submersible pump?

 

It sounds to me it may be a bad pump, a bad pipe from the pump or low water in your well. Look for wet spots on your lawn this would indicate a leaking pipe from the well.
At work the steel pipe that goes into our well to the pump only lasts about 8 years and gets pin holes in it. We have similar symptoms you are describing.

 

Try changing your pressure switch (fairly easy and cheap fix). If that doesn't help then, as JS mentioned, you might have to pull your pump and check things in the well. Good luck

 

Yes

 

I should have bought one with the tank, considering its the cheapest thing to do.

Jack Straw I see no evidence of a leaky underground pipe, but definitely think pump.

I'll report back, probably many hundreds poorer.

 

Tank pressure was 38, so too high, dropped to 28. Same problem persists, well guy showing up soon. Good to know the "pre-charge" doesn't necessarily apply. I am going to take notes so next time I know how to bang this job out.

 

Pump it was, $1150 later we are back.

 

Leaking pump line was my guess. Those pumps aren't getting any cheaper.

 

Ouch

 

I’m glad it worked out for you. It’s good it didn’t happen in the middle of the winter.

 

I read this thread quick before I headed out this morning, didn't have time to respond but was thinking pump, lines or iron algae build up in the well. Glad you are back up and going, sometimes you just have to write the check.

 

My ammeter had dead batteries, those round lithium ones that I don't have backups of. Within the first minute of the visit, well guy diagnoses "you have a bad pump." I had everything accessible, cover of pressure switch, and yup, pump draws 19A and then 0A. I could have diagnosed this much better if my darn tool was working!

His labor was very reasonable, I helped as much I could. Pumps aren't cheap, so even as a DIY job this thing is running you an easy $900. He also replaced a 100' run with 12-3, which is nearly $100 right there. Last setup had no ground. The man makes a living and does a good job. I have no problem paying for that. I DIY when I can, but never pulled a pump and didn't want to figure it out on the fly.

As the run got a lot stronger (job was almost done) I was thinking the same thing. Got to find the brightside.

 

You should be good for many years now. I had to change mine about twelve years ago and was lucky it was in the summer. 88' down pulled up by hand. Don't want to do it again.
I have a leak in my pipe outside the casing that gets the ground wet around the casing if it's used for a while. NOT looking forward to digging that up! There's at least one well tile with rocks in it and it's right beside the woodshed which would have to have that end emptied out and braced. I'll have to do it one day though. Doesn't mean I have to like it.

 

I have the same problem......................................

 

Buy pump (the life is around 18 years or so for submersibles). Get some friends/family over. Unbolt well cap and start pulling pump out of the well. Replace pump, lower back down well, tighten cap, good to go. There are a few things like special connectors designed with sealant; make sure to use all stainless steel clamps on any pipe fittings etc. Local well company wanted a similar price way back when we first set up and he was going to put small 1/4 HP pump for a well that was 250 feet/76 metres deep. I said no and told Mum I would do it myself. Went to Lowes and brought the holding tank, pressure switch, control box, 1 HP 240v pump, and the black plastic pipe and fittings, clamps, etc. Went to an electrical supply shop for the needed 240V underground wire of proper gauge as Lowe's did not have it. Dug the trench by hand; all 300feet/92 metres, 18 inches/46cm deep (nice thing about a warm climate, the frost line is not so deep). Family helped to lower the pump into the well.

 

That is what the internet is for; read and watch and learn. Before the Internet, all one had was the library and hope they had the correct book. Speaking of that, the washer went out one time. I told Mum I was headed to the library to find a book on washing machine repair. I found the book, brought it home and repaired the machine. Now I would search the net.