Water pump running when water is not in use

[Mark624]

Hello. I have been reading some of the posts about water pumps running when the water is not in use. Mine is running about every 30 minutes or so. I am pretty sure there are no leaks in the house, so it looks as if the check valve, the foot valve or a leak in the line from the well to the house are the most likely causes. I do notice that our water has a grey tint to it...not sure if it is a coincidence, we had a dry spell for quite while and now have had significant rain. Not sure where to start, any advice would be great.

 

[Reach4]

Where is your pump? In the basement, in the yard, down the well?

Do you have a shut-off valve after the pressure tank? If you close that valve, does the pressure loss stop or does it drop enough to turn on the pump every 30 minutes?

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Mark624]

Where is your pump? In the basement, in the yard, down the well?

Do you have a shut-off valve after the pressure tank? If you close that valve, does the pressure loss stop or does it drop enough to turn on the pump every 30 minutes?

Pump is in the basement.

I will check for shut off valve tomorrow and start there... thanks!

 

[Reach4]

How many pipes go down the well?

Maybe post a picture of the pump and the things around it.

 

[Mark624]

The pump is mounted on the old tank which is no longer in use, but it was easier to leave it mounted when we installed the new tank....

 

[Mark624]

Trying to post picture...

 

[Mark624]

No luck with the picture, but it shows one line coming in through the wall

 

[Mark624]

No luck with the picture, but it shows one line coming in through the wall

 

[Mark624]

I tried to upload a photo again this morning with no luck. Pump was actually running every 20 minutes last night, as of this morning it's running about every 12 minutes. I am getting the feeling that it is a leak in the line outside between the well and the house. After work may have to start some digging...

Would any other issue attribute for the grey tint to the water? Or does that signify that the line must be open somewhere?

 

[Reach4]

How many pipes go down the well?

Is your system like one of these?

 

[Craigpump]

Leak someplace, given the gray water it could be a hole in the pipe spraying directly on the wall of the well and washing away some soft rock.

Throw away the jet pump and install a good quality submersible for a more reliable, easier to service, quieter system that will be more efficient.

 

[Mark624]

Thanks for the help. I have a bad check valve and had a small hole in pipe going down the well.