Well surging

Foghorn Leghorn · Sep 27, 2013

Noticed for the past few weeks that the well seems to be surging a bit on and off. I can hear it in the shower and at the faucet and toilets, but the pressure feels the same or nearly the same.

Is this a sign of some sort of failure about to occur? Well pump, pressure tank, bladder? Pump is pretty oild, Im guessing from about 1988 or so.

paul · Sep 27, 2013

Many things, but often means your pressure tank is out of air, or if a bladder type, is mis adjusted or the bladder ruptured.

A pump that goes on and off a lot means the air cushion is very small. This is hard on the pump, and better to fix sooner than later. Do a google on 'water logged' and you will find more info than you know what to do with.

Sometimes the pressure switch is on a small little 1/8 inch pipe, and that tiny pipe will fill with sediment/ minerals, and so the pressure switch does not get the proper reading to go on or off.

Sometimes the pressure switch goes bad, can buy a little time filing the points but generally just replace.

I'd kinda go in that order, then call the professionals in my house.

if you have real pure water not hard, perhaps you should reverse the last 2 in order.

Paul

charlespretzer · Sep 27, 2013

Second the pressure tank problem

David G · Sep 27, 2013

I would expect bladder is ruptured in tank, or no air in tank if bladderless.

LeakyBoot · Sep 27, 2013

Likely waterlogged tank to the max. Surge is the pump kicking on and off. You can buy some time until you get a new tank, if you have a captive air tank. Shut off the pump, open a hydrant and add air to force the water from the tank and then add more air to build up the air precharge. It will happen again soon but will get you by a few days so you don't killyour pump off

Tom from Buckeye Lake · Sep 27, 2013

I agree with the previous posts, but would suggest that you turn off the pump, drain the tank via a faucet. Then use a tire gauge to check the pressure in the bladder.

It should be 2/3 of the upper pressure set by the pressure switch.

Of course, if you don't have a bladder tank, I wasn't here

Russ from MN · Sep 27, 2013

I have always tried to precharge to 2 psi less than kick-in pressure. A 40-60 system should have 38 psi precharge.

RayP(MI) · Sep 27, 2013

Mine has the same problem... Have to recharge the tank about monthly. Shut off pump, open nearest faucet, download charge from 4 gallon portable air tank through shrader valve fitting on tank. Close valve, turn on pump. Good to go.

MSD · Sep 27, 2013

Try shutting the pump off and see if the pressure drops. If it does you have a check valve that is leaking.

Jeff B. · Sep 29, 2013

My tank has no bladder, and I struggled to understand why I had to occasionally blow more air into it, until the well guy explained that over time, the air under pressure gets absorbed into the water. I have to blow mine out about twice a year.

Dr. Walt · Sep 30, 2013

BEFORE messing with the pressure switch contacts, make absolutely certain that the power to the well is OFF! 220 volts @ 50 amps doesn't tickle!

Well surging

Foghorn Leghorn

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paul

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charlespretzer

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David G

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LeakyBoot

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Tom from Buckeye Lake

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Russ from MN

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RayP(MI)

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MSD

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Jeff B.

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Dr. Walt

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