Jet Pump and my new to me house...

Hello everyone, I have a dilemma I need help with. We bought our house last year, it is roughly 50 years old and has a cased drilled well I am told is 60 +/- feet deep. On the floor in our basement is a J5 Goulds pump 110v with a two pipe kit going into the well. I assume that there is a deep well kit and foot valve in the well at the base of the two pipes....

I have two issues I could use some help with.

First off we have low water pressure in the entire house, the control is set for 20/40 and the worste of it is by the time the water gets to the second floor shower there is hardly any pressure at the shower head. I have tried turning up the cut out pressure but it maxes at about 42 PSI on the gauge and will run forever and not build up any more pressure than that. I spoke to the previous owner about it and he said he had the same issue as long as they owned the house. Plenty of water low pressure.

Second, when I run the pump for say half hour to water the lawn or what ever the task it takes a long time for the pump to recover. After i shut off the sprinkler it will run for 10-15 minutes just below 40PSI and eventually cut out at the set mark. Recovery is quicker if the pump comes on and only runs a short period of time. Basically the longer the pump runs the longer it takes to recover and shut off.

The well is a pit well and I have gotten a price to extend the casing to above ground, add a pit less adapter and install a submersible deep well pump with control box and larger pressure tank. The price was 1600 with me doing all the digging and supplying the 220 power to the pump control box. Is this the easiest route to go or can replace the J5 (1/2) hp pump with a J10 or J15 for less cost and an installation I can do my self? You expert advice is appreciated.

Dave

The impeller of the pump may be bad, if you want to replace the pump with a submersible, my suggestion as well. Though it may cost a little more, it has been my experience that submersibles are less troublesome and far easier to troubleshoot.

That is probably all the pressure a 1/2 HP jet can supply from that depth. Switch to a submersible and set the pressure switch for 40/60. A sub can lift from much deeper and supply more pressure. Hang it on poly pipe and you can pull it yourself if needed.

Jet pumps don't make pressure, the jet assembly does. If it's been in for a long time you might try replacing just the jet assembly. It sounds to me like the nozzle has washed out. The nozzle in the jet assembly should have a 1/4" hole in it for a 1/2 to 1 hp pump. Take the jet assembly apart and check the nozzle hole with a 1/4" drill bit shank, if it fits the nozzle hole loose, it's washed out. Replace the nozzle of the jet assembly and you should have more pressure. However jet pumps are more persnickety. As Valveman says install a submersible with poly pipe and you can pull it yourself. It's more trouble free and you can set the pressure higher giving you more pressure everywhere.

He failed to tell you to install a Cycle Stop Valve http://www.cyclestopvalves.com/index2.html in the system to give you a constant pressure like city water pressure. A CSV will extend the life of your pump tank and pressure switch. He probably didn't tell you about them because his company sells them!

Thankyou guys for your replies. Sounds like replacing the system with a submersible pump makes the most sense. I appreciate your time and expertise.

Dave