1. You have a way to measure how much water comes out of your sink during your 1.5 minute test. If your bucket is not marked, calibrate it by pouring quarts of water into your big bucket. If your bucket will not fit under your faucet, close the drain on the sink. Calibrate your sink. How long does it take to fill the sink (or bucket). How big is the sink (or bucket). Based on that, you will know the flow rate from the sink.
Let T = the number of seconds to fill your sink or bucket.
Let G = the number of gallons to fill your sink or bucket.
The flow rate will be G/T/60.
The number of gallons that you can use before the pump goes on is about 1.5 times the flow rate. That will actually be an over-estimate, since the flow rate drops as the pressure decreases.
Let your kids help with the math if appropriate. It will be motivating in their studies.
You could avoid the math and use a 5-gallon bucket fed by a hose or the laundry sink tap.
2. You have a watch that can measure the time from when the pump turns on, until it turns off. In fact, you could try measuring that with the kitchen faucet on and off. But if you only measure one way, do that with the faucet off. If that time is under 30 seconds, call your plumber or well person. If that time is over 55 seconds, don't call. If it is in between, think about it.
3. If you provide the external measurement of your pressure tank, somebody could tell you the approximate size of your tank, and tell you what your expectations should be for test #1. If you cannot measure your tank, that's is OK. If you are getting 5 gallons of water during your 1.5 minutes, your tank is fine. If you are getting 2 gallons, your tank is not fine. In between... ??? Do you have room for an inside tank? It is OK to have 2 tanks.
I feel that you are probably not going to be into DYI, even if it only involves using a tire pressure gauge and a tire pump. That would be the bit that could optimize the pressure tank that you already have. Maybe you don't have access to the air valve for your underground tank, so that would be a reason to call the pro.
My opinions only... not a pro. I have provided estimated criteria here. Criticism is welcome.
Let T = the number of seconds to fill your sink or bucket.
Let G = the number of gallons to fill your sink or bucket.
The flow rate will be G/T/60.
The number of gallons that you can use before the pump goes on is about 1.5 times the flow rate. That will actually be an over-estimate, since the flow rate drops as the pressure decreases.
Let your kids help with the math if appropriate. It will be motivating in their studies.
You could avoid the math and use a 5-gallon bucket fed by a hose or the laundry sink tap.
2. You have a watch that can measure the time from when the pump turns on, until it turns off. In fact, you could try measuring that with the kitchen faucet on and off. But if you only measure one way, do that with the faucet off. If that time is under 30 seconds, call your plumber or well person. If that time is over 55 seconds, don't call. If it is in between, think about it.
3. If you provide the external measurement of your pressure tank, somebody could tell you the approximate size of your tank, and tell you what your expectations should be for test #1. If you cannot measure your tank, that's is OK. If you are getting 5 gallons of water during your 1.5 minutes, your tank is fine. If you are getting 2 gallons, your tank is not fine. In between... ??? Do you have room for an inside tank? It is OK to have 2 tanks.
I feel that you are probably not going to be into DYI, even if it only involves using a tire pressure gauge and a tire pump. That would be the bit that could optimize the pressure tank that you already have. Maybe you don't have access to the air valve for your underground tank, so that would be a reason to call the pro.
My opinions only... not a pro. I have provided estimated criteria here. Criticism is welcome.
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