Well pump rattling

[techguy802]

I recently purchased a property that has a drilled well. This is my first place with a well, so I am trying to learn the system. When a decent amount of water is being used, there is loud rattling that can be heard from even upstairs. This doesn't sound normal (or good) to me and I was hoping to get it taken care of before causing damage. Some searching online says it might be a check valve or pump switch? Here's a link to a video showing it:

Appreciate any help!

 

[Valveman]

Don't think it is a check valve or a switch. When I see multiple pressure tanks I know there are going to be problems. I suspect the diaphragm in one or all of those tanks is bad and causing a noise as the water goes in or out.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Reach4]

Turn off power to the pump, and let the water pressure fall to zero or near zero. A tank with an anomalous air precharge will be a failed tank. If nothing stands out, let things sit for several minutes and check the readings again. They should not have changed.

 

[techguy802]

Turn off power to the pump, and let the water pressure fall to zero or near zero. A tank with an anomalous air precharge will be a failed tank. If nothing stands out, let things sit for several minutes and check the readings again. They should not have changed.

I turned the power off to the pump and let the water run until it went to nothing. The main gauge on the line in the video also now shows 0. Two of the tanks are showing 30 psi and the last one just under 35 psi. It's written on the tops of the tanks that they were installed in 2014 at 28 psi.

 

[Valveman]

If that is 30 and 35 PSI or air and not water, the tanks are still good. But the gauge in the video was showing about 30-35 PSI as well, which means the tank diaphragms are bouncing off the bottom. 35 PSI air in the tank means the pump should be working between 40 and 60 PSI?

 

[Reach4]

I turned the power off to the pump and let the water run until it went to nothing. The main gauge on the line in the video also now shows 0. Two of the tanks are showing 30 psi and the last one just under 35 psi. It's written on the tops of the tanks that they were installed in 2014 at 28 psi.

The diaphragm is attached at the lower side ring. You could try knocking on the sides of the tank to see if there appears to be water up there with no water pressure.

Looking at the pressure gauge in your video again, I note there is not bouncing around on the pressure gauge. This makes me wonder if the problem could in fact be the pressure switch... I don't see how that symptom could be from the pressure switch. Maybe the nipple to the pressure gauge is partially clogged, making the gauge not respond to quick pressure changes.

So if it is not clear already, I find this confusing.

How is the precharge higher now than when the precharge was set? Either the tire pressure gauges had very different calibrations then vs now, or water has leaked above the diaphragm.

Note with the water pressurized to over 40 psi and the pump not running, the air pressures and water pressures will be about the same. If they are not, that indicates that the water pressure gauge and air pressure gauges are not calibrated the same. It will not be exact, because the water pressure gauge is a little lower than the diaphragms in the tank. So if the diaphragms are limp enough, the water pressure would read maybe 1/2 psi more.

 

[techguy802]

If that is 30 and 35 PSI or air and not water, the tanks are still good. But the gauge in the video was showing about 30-35 PSI as well, which means the tank diaphragms are bouncing off the bottom. 35 PSI air in the tank means the pump should be working between 40 and 60 PSI?

I went by it fairly quickly in the video, but the gray box with wiring to it that's right above the pressure gauge has 30/50 written on it. I'm assuming that's the range the pump is setup to work within?

The diaphragm is attached at the lower side ring. You could try knocking on the sides of the tank to see if there appears to be water up there with no water pressure.

I knocked on it before depressurizing the system and it sounded hollow on the upper half of each tank. I can try doing that again with the system empty if you think that would make a difference?

Looking at the pressure gauge in your video again, I note there is not bouncing around on the pressure gauge. This makes me wonder if the problem could in fact be the pressure switch... I don't see how that symptom could be from the pressure switch. Maybe the nipple to the pressure gauge is partially clogged, making the gauge not respond to quick pressure changes.

With how cheap a new gauge is, I can try replacing this just to eliminate any question on if it's good.