Pressure problem?

[moe67]

Hi Folks,

I'm a certified know-nothing with regards to plumbing so please bear with me.

I have an 8 year old home and have lived in it for the last 3. Lately, after flushing the toilet, I hear the tank refilling properly and then it kind of slows down for a few seconds and then back to normal. This repeats until the tank is full and is not limited to the toilet.

Anyone have an idea of what the probloem is. The rents-in-law said they had the same problem and they let it slide and ended up digging up their well or something to that effect to remedy the problem. Basically it can be prevented if it is taken care of early is the jist of their story.

Thanks for your help and this site is a great find for me. Keep it up!

[nhmaster]

Sounds like you need a pump man or plumber. could be well pump, pump tank, pressure switch or something electrical.

[hj]

That usually indicates your air pressure charge in the tank is improperly adjusted. It is running out of water too quickly and then you are just getting whatever flow and pressure the pump can produce at a constant flow. When the pump catches up, then the tank fills normally.

[moe67]

When the toilet flushes, it goes down and as the tank starts to fill up, the pressure seems to change from normal for 1-2 second to about 1/2 pressure for 1/2 seconds and keeps that up(switching pressure) until the tank is full again. It is the same for the sinks and washing machine as well. The pressure if fine for a while then it slows for a couple seconds then back to normal and repeats.

[Gary Slusser]

I have an 8 year old home and have lived in it for the last 3. Lately, after flushing the toilet, I hear the tank refilling properly and then it kind of slows down for a few seconds and then back to normal. This repeats until the tank is full and is not limited to the toilet.

Anyone have an idea of what the probloem is. The rents-in-law said they had the same problem and they let it slide and ended up digging up their well or something to that effect to remedy the problem. Basically it can be prevented if it is taken care of early is the jist of their story.
It sounds as if you need to adjust the air pressure precharge in the well pressure tank.

If the pressure tank is buried by the well, that is what they dug up. Ask them if it was or sounds familiar.

In the Pumps and Well forum, at the top as a sticky, you'll find instructions on how to check and adjust the air pressure correctly.

[moe67]

It turned out the pressure tank was the problem. Tried pumping it with air but got nothing, so changed out the tank and it was good as new.

Thanks for the help!