Pressure loss

I've got a shallow well with an aging but dependable pump. Lately, it correctly cycles on and shuts off at 50 psi, then quickly loses 10 psi before settling in at about 39 psi - adequate pressure for a one-floor house.

Should I be concerned with fixing a leak, repair/replace the pump, or worry about more important things.

There's nothing more important than having a house with no water. Especially since it seems to stop flowing while you're using it, and that is usually after hours like 7:30 PM on Friday night with a holiday on Monday. LOL

It sounds as if you have a leak at higher than 39 psi. That could be a broken fitting or loose hose clamp on PE pipe. Shut off the water on the house side of the pressure tank when the pressure is up to 50 as the pump shuts off and watch the pressure gauge.

If the pressure falls, the leak in on the house side. If it holds, open the valve and watch, if it falls it's a leak back to the pump or foot valve in the well; usually in the drop pipe or the check valve in/on the submersible pump outlet or the foot valve for a jet pump system.

Thanks Gary,

If I'm looking for a leak on the house side, and I can't find one, what should I supect. Could air be laeking out of bad shut-off valves?

Air?

Rancher

How about a badly waterlogged tank? When a pump shuts off, the pressure always backs up a few pounds. I don't know why, it just does.

With a waterlogged tank, the pump will cycle off and on rapidly with a small amount of water being used. Or it will shut off very quickly after water usage. It will also make the gauge drop back much further than a few pounds like I described above.

bob...