shallow well loses prime and no pressure

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chefallen

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I just moved into a house with a shallow well, after finally getting it primed and flowing; it doesn't put out much water. It can build enough pressure to turn off the pressure switch, but after 5 minutes loses pressure and switch kicks pump back on. If I turn it off it loses prime altogether. It's all old galvanized, I don't see a check valve but that doesn't explain the lack of continous pressure when the pump is running. any help?
 

Sammyhydro11

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As far as loss of flow and pressure you could have a vacume leak in front of the pump or the well screen could be getting plugged up.

SAM
 

chefallen

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snaking out old pipe

Some one suggested that the old galvanized might be closing up with rust; that would explain a slow build of pressure but not a loss of prime on a closed system
 

Sammyhydro11

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Assuming the point id plugged,I would get yourself a hand pump,thread it to the top of the well,and see if you can redevelop it.

SAM
 

Ron in SC

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It can build enough pressure to turn off the pressure switch, but after 5 minutes loses pressure and switch kicks pump back on. If I turn it off it loses prime altogether

I had that same problem on my 20 year old shallow well. I ended putting a new point down about 7' from the old one and I get water again. So far if I don't use it for a day or so it never loses pressure so the pump does not have to run. When I have used it does not lose prime either. I mounted the check valve right at the top of the well point after it makes a 90 degree turn. The run to the pump is about 12'.
 

Speedbump

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You said it's a shallow well, do you think it's a driven well or a well that might be out in the yard? With no check vavle in plain sight, you might have a two inch well or larger with a drop pipe and a check vavle in the well on the end of the drop pipe. If that's the case, you will need a pro to change or acid treat that screen for you.

bob...
 
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