Shallow well loses prime

[porter123]

My well loses prime overnight. The pressure gauge stays around 40psi as long as the water is turned off, but as soon as I open the spigot, the pressure drops to zero and I've got an unprimed pump.

Any ideas where the problem may be? The fact that the pressure tank gauge stays at 40psi suggests there is no leak in that area.

[valveman]

You have a leak before the check valve.

[porter123]

Thank you. How do I go about fixing it? You're basically telling me that the leak is underground in the pipe going down to the well, right?

[valveman]

Where is your check valve?

[porter123]

It's about 6 inches above ground level on the vertical pipe going down to the well.