Diagnosing problem with new well/house construction

[L Bodiford]

New construction home completed within last two months; deep water well installed approximately a year ago; water manifold with pex; tankless water heater. After a month or so of living in our new house, we are noticing that when we flush the toilet and/or run the shower in the master bathroom, it sounds as if there is air in the line. The water sputters out of the shower head and the Toto toilet seems to be "gasping" for water. It's more pronounced in the master bathroom but we have tell that it also happens with other toilets in the house. Water pressure is fine in general although some faucets seem weak: one of two identical MB sink faucets and both MB shower heads all seem a little low.

The plumber who did all the plumbing on the house while it was being built blames it on the well. He says it has something to do with a check valve but I can't find anything online to confirm that. There are no leaks that we can discern although we do have foam insulation in walls, attic, and under floor (is it possible that the pex was damaged when they insulated under the house?!).

Any suggestions about how to start diagnosing the problem? Has anyone seen this before?

 

[Reach4]

Tell us about the well and pump. Well depth. Pump depth. Pump horsepower. Tell us about any water treatment stuff.

Show us a photo of at least your pressure tank input, pressure switch, check valve.

The air is not due to a pex problem; air cannot enter pressurized pipes.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Valveman]

My guess is you have a leak in the pipe going down the well, and you have a check valve before the pressure tank. Remove the above ground check valve or at least gut it so it can't work. Then watch your pressure gauge while no water is being used. If you loose some pressure over an hour or two, you have a leak in the pipe down the well.

 

[Midriller]

Could be a check valve, bad pressure tank, iron center, dissolved oxygen, well drawing down, and very rare but certain softeners can do it. Have you tried contacting the driller? If the House and well are that new "most drillers" will come look at it under warranty. Easy way to narrow things down is to shut off main valve to home and shut off well breaker. Hook hose up to pressure tank and empty into bucket. if a bunch of air blows out at the end its most likely the well. If it is straight water till the end its more than likely a softener/Iron system