Sandpoint loses prime

[justdewit64]

Hopefully you can see diagram of my sandpoint well below. I have an old cabin and had to replace the sandpoint. I put in 2" pipe as shown below, with check-valve up at the top. I was told the shallow well jet pump I had would pull water 20 feet, and as you can see below, I am at only 16 feet to the water level in my well.

My problem is lots of air in the plumbing. I installed the new well three weeks ago and the air problem continues, so I don't think this is a temporary thing due to new well installation. I am ASSUMING my issue is losing prime on the pump. Whenever it is off for awhile, and certainly overnight, it takes about 30 seconds where you can hear the pump running and trying to prime itself. It gets prime, then takes about 60 seconds to go from 30psi to 50psi where pump shuts off. So eventually, I do get water, but then lots of air spits out of the lines for 10-15 seconds. After that, things are fine until we go for awhile without using water. Then the cycle repeats again.

The system WILL hold 50psi all night. I am assuming this proves my check-valve is OK, but look for your guidance. I did NOT install a foot-valve. My pump is about 10 years old (best guess...I got it with the cabin). My guess is my pressure tank is about 15 gallons, and it was new 2 years ago.

Any suggestions?

 

[Reach4]

Slather the three tee ports with foamy shaving cream, along with the well side of the check valve. Use water to run the pump.

If you see shaving cream sucking in when the pump is running, you have found the vacuum leak. If the leak is in the bottom port of the tee, the concrete may hinder the access.

 

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[justdewit64]

Thanks for the suggestion. We are going up to the cabin soon and I will give that a try!