Pressure Tank Problem

With water running my pressure tank goes as low as 25 pounds, then the pump kicks in and it brings the pressure up to 65 pounds and shuts off. This spread of 40 pounds sounds like a problem and in the shower we have noticed the low pressure. It seems to stay low for a very long time before it increases. It seems to have become worse in the last year.

My pressure tank is metal, about 40 gallons, no make but it says "model #144" on it. I believe it has a bladder inside. It has an air valve at the top plus the pressure release valve.

Can I simply add perhaps 5 pounds of air to the tank to see if that helps?

What do you think is the problem? Or is this normal? Thanks.

At the top of the forum is a Sticky of how to check and adjust the proper air pressure in the pressure tank. You should do that and then adjust the pressure switch to 40 on and 60 off, and that means you need 39-38 psi of air in the tank with no water in the tank.