well pump running more often

I have noticed that my well pump runs more often lately, The pressure will bleed off at the rate of a # a minute during no usage of any water in the house. I have been told by neighbors that it may be a foot valve that my be partially open due to dirt or sand, my pump pulls the water to the tank from the ground so it runs hard to pressurize the tank. What is going on? help.thanks

Shut off the water to the house on the house side of the pressure tank and watch the gauge. If the pressure doesn't fall, you have a leak on the well side of the tank. It's usually a foot valve but it can be anywhere between the foot valve and the tank.

If the pressure does fall, the leak is on the house side of that valve.