Well pump stays on, pressure tank has no water

[krazyinktattoos]

We've never had what is call great water pressure here but over the last month or 2 it started getting progressively worse. There has been several times now that I'm the middle of taking a shower the water pressure would drop to barely a trickle then return to normal after 30 seconds to 2 min. I finally went down to the pump house to try to figure out what was going on. The things I know aren't as they should be are; pump never cycles off, pressure tank isn't filling with water, pressure gauge reading at 35psi. What I've done so far; verified correct tank pressure(had to add a little air to bring it up to 38psi, our switch is 40/60), replaced the pressure gauge(just in case), verified pipe to pressure switch wasn't clogged. A new pressure tank and switch were installed in 2020, the air pressure in the tank has stayed at 38psi for several days now, when I put my ear near the cap for the pump I don't hear any obvious abnormal sounds and when I cut the power to the pump the water pressure stays at 35psi. Unfortunately I don't know anything about the pump or how deep the well is. I really need some help diagnosing this, I have very limited income and don't want to call a pro unless I have no choice.

 

[Valveman]

Do you have a check valve at the pressure tank?

 

[Sponsor]

 

[SuperGreg]

Is the pump drawing amps when it's "on" but doesn't appear to be pumping water? Is it possible the well is running dry? Do you have a pump saver that turns the pump off if it runs dry?

When you have issues do you have no pressure at all at the tank? Are there filters that may be clogged after the tank?

If you're seeing no pressure, I would try: Turn off the pump breaker. Isolate the tank from the house (if you have a shutoff valve after the tank). Drain the tank through a hose so there is no pressure in the system. Leave the valve to the hose open and turn the breaker on, and let it run for a while and see if you get constant water pumping out of the hose or if it stops, spurts, pumps air, etc.