Leak? Or Pressure Tank/Switch?

Lengthy post - sorry!

March 1 - new pressure tank installed - Well-X-Trol 202.

@ middle of April, episode of very dirty water - I ran water until clear to the eye, called local water service guy who said this could have been caused by pressure tank going bad (don't recall the lengthy description of how), but since it's a new WX-202, he thought more likely a hole in a pipe from the well pump, and kindly offered to install a new well pump and pipes.

Being a poor, single homeowner opposed to using credit, I decided it could wait until I could save a little money. I only drink filtered water anyway, and since the initial episode of very dirty water, water is clear to the eye. If I run it for a long time in the bathtub, a very small amount of silt accumulates.

@ 2 weeks ago, I noticed the pump kicking on with any demand, i.e., one flush of a toilet, running water for more than a few seconds. Pump has a 30/50 switch on it, but gauge shows just under 40 with no demand. I opened a faucet and watched it....the pressure gauge would start to slowly go down, within a couple seconds suddenly bottom out, and the pump kicks on. Gauge immediately shoots up to @ 40, and pump shuts off. Etc. etc. Pressure at the valve on top @ 36.

I shut off power to the pump, and ran water - only about 1 gallon of water came out. Pressure gauge 0, pressure at top valve still @ 36. Powered up the pump, pressure gauge shot up to 40 immediately, and pump shut off.

So, does this, indeed, sound like a leak between pump and tank, or a pressure tank/pressure switch problem? It's hard for us single women to know who to trust with things we know little about (especially when it comes to shelling out hard-earned money!!) But since you all have nothing to gain, I figured I could get some straight-forward, honest opinions! Thanks very much for any feedback/advice!!

-Diane

You need to read my FAQ page about bladder tanks. It will explain how to set one up to match a pressure switch. It is not set properly from what you are explaining.

Use the link below.

bob...

The air pressure in the tank is higher than the low setting of the pressure switch. Your tire gauge that you are using to measure the air pressure may not match your water pressure gauge.

With the water off, observe your water gauge, and measure the pressure in the tank with your tire gauge. They should be the same. But yours is 36 when the water pressure is 40.

Now decide what pressure on the water gauge you want the pump to start at. Let's say 25 PSI, but your tire gage is 4 psi low so that would be 21 psi when reading air pressure. It is better to start this process at a higher pressure so you don't let too much air out of the tank. It is easy to let it out but you must have a pump or compressor to put it in.

Now, with the power to the pump off, drain the tank. Measure the pressure with the tire gauge. You want to set the air pressure at about 2 PSI less than the turn-on pressure. But, allowing for the 4 psi difference in the gauges, you want to set the air pressure at 6 PSI less that the water pump pressure.

Now run the pump for about 15 seconds with all water uses off. That will put a bit of water in the tank. Check your air pressure again. You want it about 2 PSI higher than you set it. If it is much too high, let some water out.

Now, with the power off, set the switch so that so that when you pry up on the plate in the bottom of the switch, it just turns on the switch when you release it. That is your start pressure.

Run the pump cycle and see where it starts and stops. If shutoff is too high, you can adjust using the secondary screw on the switch.

If you aren't comfortable with any of this or any of Spedbumps info, , or if your measurements don't fit my guesses as to what is going on, come back with more questions.

gatodelsol said:

Lengthy post - sorry!

March 1 - new pressure tank installed - Well-X-Trol 202.

@ middle of April, episode of very dirty water - I ran water until clear to the eye, called local water service guy who said this could have been caused by pressure tank going bad (don't recall the lengthy description of how), but since it's a new WX-202, he thought more likely a hole in a pipe from the well pump, and kindly offered to install a new well pump and pipes.

So, does this, indeed, sound like a leak between pump and tank, or a pressure tank/pressure switch problem? -Diane

Click to expand...

Your new pressure tank went bad which is causing the short cycling of the pump. Short cycling is when the smallest amount of water use causes the pump to come on and then as soon as you shut off the water, the pressure goes up to cut-out and shuts of the pump. That is no good for pump motor life or your electric bill.

Call the folks you got the pressure tank from and file a warranty claim. On that brand the warranty is usually 5 years.

Thanks!

Just a quick thanks to everyone who replied to my post. What a great resource this site is!