Loud vibrating

[Pommy]

Hello all!

Recently bought a house that was built in the 80’s and is on a well.

When water is used in the house the pipe coming in from the well vibrates and makes a loud noise droning noise - unfortunately it runs through a cupboard under the stairs and reverberates throughout the house.

The pipe is easily accessible so i can grab it and feel it vibrate but no attempt at securing it has solved the issue.

Water pressure is sat right at 50psi - doesn’t look like there is a pressure regulator valve anywhere, would that help?

The pressure gauge is inline right before a pumptrol control box.

Is there anything that can be done?

The old owner said the well pump had been recently serviced but didn’t know how old it was.

Right after we moved in the house was struck by lightening which tuck out the control box so that is new.

Is it time for a new pump?

 

[Reach4]

That Pumptrol thing you are calling a control box is probably a pressure switch. A pressure switch is typically about 2.78inch x 3.76inch x 3.71inch. The thing called a control box is bigger, and only some pumps use that.

Where is your well-- out in the yard, or under the house?

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Pommy]

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Thanks for your reply!

I googled the pimptrol thing and its a pressure switch - so I presume when the pressure in the holding tank drops to a certain psi it switches the pump on?

The well is out in the front garden probably 30ft from the front of the house.

It wouldn’t be too bad if it just came on for a couple minutes every now and then during normal water usage, it’s when the sprinkler system is running, it’s constantly on for the entire time!

That Pumptrol thing you are calling a control box is probably a pressure switch. A pressure switch is typically about 2.78inch x 3.76inch x 3.71inch. The thing called a control box is bigger, and only some pumps use that.

Where is your well-- out in the yard, or under the house?

 

[Reach4]

Bozeman gets cold. So typically the well would have a "pitless adapter". Then a pipe would bring water from the pitless adapter, staying under the frost line, until it emerges into the heated area.

 

[Bannerman]

it’s when the sprinkler system is running, it’s constantly on for the entire time!

That's fantastic! The sprinkler system is using 100% of the water the pump is able to deliver.

A pump cycling repeatedly On/Off while less water is being utilized, reduces the lifespan of the pump, pressure tank, pressure switch and other components. Pump's are designed to run continuously 24/7, so the less cycling, the better.

i can grab it and feel it vibrate but no attempt at securing it has solved the issue.

When the pipe is in contact with solid objects such as a cupboard or wall, the vibration will be transferred to those items which will result in the sound becoming amplified. To reduce sound transfer, the pipe will need to be isolated from other objects, usually filling the gap with foam of other soft material that will absorb the sound without transferring vibrations to the objects surrounding the pipe.

 

[Valveman]

​

Thanks for your reply!

I googled the pimptrol thing and its a pressure switch - so I presume when the pressure in the holding tank drops to a certain psi it switches the pump on?

The well is out in the front garden probably 30ft from the front of the house.

It wouldn’t be too bad if it just came on for a couple minutes every now and then during normal water usage, it’s when the sprinkler system is running, it’s constantly on for the entire time!

As was said. the pump running continuously while the irrigation is going is a good thing. Sometimes that noise can come from just the length of pipe the pump is hanging on. If that length of pipe is the same or a certain fraction or multiple of the motor frequency, it just resonance frequency vibration. Shortening or lengthening the drop pipe by a couple of feet will usually solve than problem.

But without pulling the pump, you can add a short piece of high pressure rubber hose or one of those flexible SS tubes between the underground pipe and pipe in the house.