Gadgetrover
New Member
I have a sandpoint well with 2" pipe, 1/2 horse shallow-well jet pump, and small pressure tank. The point is down around 18 feet. I have a check valve installed around 3 feet from the pump right before the pipe to the well enters the ground. The setup has been working fine for a number of years.
This year, I noticed the pump was randomly cycling (every 2-3 hours or so) on and off, running for a few seconds each time. I checked the pressure on the pressure tank (28#) and made sure water wasn't discharged from the air valve. Despite the pressure tank seeming fine, I installed a new tank, downsizing from a 4 gallon to a 2 gallon. The pump continues to randomly cycle and now, when I turn the water on, I have a normal stream, dropping to a trickle seemingly after the pressure tank runs out. If I continue to run water at this point, it seems unable to recover and continues to run at the low rate. If, however, I turn the water off for a few seconds and then back on, it runs at the full rate again until seemingly depleting the volume of the pressure tank.
Note that there is no sputtering or other indications of air in the line. I installed a new pressure switch on the pump but the problems continue. I replaced the pump and still the problems continue. I contacted the pump manufacturer (Wayne) who suggested a "pin-hole leak somewhere". I asked if it was taking in air, wouldn't there be some sputtering, etc.? They wouldn't address my question. They further said I needed a foot valve despite their instructions indicating the installation of my check valve was perfectly fine (not to mention the fact that it has worked well for many years). They suggested I hire a plumber (I am in the middle of a national forest and plumbers do not grow on trees.). All in all, a useless conversation.
I have, however, been suspicious of the check valve in that I replaced it a year ago. I am wondering if the check valve may be faulty and allowing water to to drop back down the line. Still, I would imagine air would have to enter the line to allow that and, as I mentioned, there seems to be no sign of air in the line. Further, I am thinking I erred in installing the smaller pressure tank (It was all the local store had.)
I am asking for opinions, wisdom, and advice as to what to try next.
One more question ... If I were to put a foot/packer valve down in the well pipe, how would I "winterize" the setup? Currently, I release the check valve and allow the water in the pipe to run down below the frost line.
Thanks!
This year, I noticed the pump was randomly cycling (every 2-3 hours or so) on and off, running for a few seconds each time. I checked the pressure on the pressure tank (28#) and made sure water wasn't discharged from the air valve. Despite the pressure tank seeming fine, I installed a new tank, downsizing from a 4 gallon to a 2 gallon. The pump continues to randomly cycle and now, when I turn the water on, I have a normal stream, dropping to a trickle seemingly after the pressure tank runs out. If I continue to run water at this point, it seems unable to recover and continues to run at the low rate. If, however, I turn the water off for a few seconds and then back on, it runs at the full rate again until seemingly depleting the volume of the pressure tank.
Note that there is no sputtering or other indications of air in the line. I installed a new pressure switch on the pump but the problems continue. I replaced the pump and still the problems continue. I contacted the pump manufacturer (Wayne) who suggested a "pin-hole leak somewhere". I asked if it was taking in air, wouldn't there be some sputtering, etc.? They wouldn't address my question. They further said I needed a foot valve despite their instructions indicating the installation of my check valve was perfectly fine (not to mention the fact that it has worked well for many years). They suggested I hire a plumber (I am in the middle of a national forest and plumbers do not grow on trees.). All in all, a useless conversation.
I have, however, been suspicious of the check valve in that I replaced it a year ago. I am wondering if the check valve may be faulty and allowing water to to drop back down the line. Still, I would imagine air would have to enter the line to allow that and, as I mentioned, there seems to be no sign of air in the line. Further, I am thinking I erred in installing the smaller pressure tank (It was all the local store had.)
I am asking for opinions, wisdom, and advice as to what to try next.
One more question ... If I were to put a foot/packer valve down in the well pipe, how would I "winterize" the setup? Currently, I release the check valve and allow the water in the pipe to run down below the frost line.
Thanks!