Posted on 10/10/2006 1:09:01 AM PDT by Miztiki
We have well water and the pressure is low. Hubby is away on an extended business trip and I don't know anything about wells. What should I do?
Just maybe....................................The pump don't work cause the vandals took the handle.
Looks like you have a submersible pump but your gauge on the tanks shows plenty of preasure. My guess is that your filter needs changing.
Yes, you've identified them.
If the gauge works, 65 pounds of pressure is very good and would indicate that the pump is doing its job but something is constricting the flow! Either leaks in the system (possible) or filter is clogged (probable). Typically, there will be a "raw water" faucet which is plumbed in before the filter. If you get a high stream of water pressure from the "raw water" side, you probably have a clogged filter.
The filter pictured is on the raw water side (before the water enters your tank). Do you have a water treatment/ filtering system (water conditioner) in the line going to your home?
That would be an item to check! If the main cut-off valve going into the house has been constricted (nearly turned off) the water pressure inside the house will be high (but only for a few seconds the drop rapidly).
Miztiki, I don't know anything about wells other than any family I have 'down south' have wells. LOL.
My comment though is...every once in a while a post on FR makes me smile. Your post made me smile, not because you're having problems, but that there is such a huge resource of information available to fellow Freepers and how so many are willing to help out.
I hope you get the well fixed.
There is a faucet on the back side of the tank. I just checked it and it has plenty of pressure.
We don't have a water conditioner and we don't have kids or anyone who would have messed with anything.
Hubby is overseas (just left yesterday) and I haven't been able to talk to him yet. I will ask him when he last changed the filter and if he has messed with any valves.
I miss him already. :-(
EBH, I agree. Aside from the ones on this thread who would advise me to fix my car by rotating the air in my tires, adjusting my canuter valve, and adding blinker fluid, FReepers are a great group of informative and helpful people!
Thank you very much for your help. I will replace the filter and see if that helps. If not then I guess I'll have to call someone in.
Thanks again for your help. I really appreciate it.
Next thread: How to remove and sharpen mower blades... :-)
KRAMER: These showers are horrible. There's no pressure, I can't get the shampoo out of my hair.
JERRY: Me either.
KRAMER: If I don't have a good shower I am not myself. I feel weak and ineffectual. I'm not Kramer.
At least that indicates that the very expensive items are working OK. If you hook up a hose to that faucet on the tank, turn fully on and time the length of time it takes the pump to run for a re-pressurizing cycle (from pump turn-off to turn-on) that would help narrow down the possible causes of the problem.
Since your filter is in the system BEFORE the tank, it will only be the problem if the pump runs for an excessive amount of time in order to reach its cut-off pressure.
Is the water pressure low ALL THE TIME in the house or is it normal at first and then diminishing and takning a very long time to build up again?
It`s probably only the filter.
The red button is just the bleed for when you
change the filter to let air out of the line.
Turn the pump off,find the plastic wrench to
remove the filter housing,install new filter,
turn pump back on,now push in the red button
till air is gone from filter.
I sure hope you are right in your first sentence.
The pressure is fine for the first few seconds or so, then it drops off. It didn't occur to me that I should let the "raw" faucet run for a bit to see if it dropped in pressure too.
So I should connect a hose and note the length of time the pump is *off* between the times it kicks in? What would be a good or bad indicator?
I'll try the hose when the sun comes up.
If you are going to sharpen it then it doesn't have to be removed.
I'd get a new one (at Lowe's or Home Depot). Put a block of wood under the blade and just remove the bolt. Spray on some WD40 and clean the area and put the new blade on, securing it tightly into place.
If the bolt is stubborn you might have to call on your "too friendly" neighbor for assistance. You live in Texas so I'm assuming there are firearms in the house. You could stand aside holding one, explaining to Mr. Toofriendly that you are just keeping an eye out for 'predators'.
Hope you get your water back soon.
On a lighter note, I just sowed Texas bluebonnets in my yard, (the blue flower and the maroon variety - Alamo fire). Far as I know they haven't been grown in Virginia. When I get them going I'll suggest they plant some at Monticello.
You'll need a screwdriver and maybe a pair of pliers- when you take the plastic cover off, there should be a nut or a set screw right on top, which controls the tension of the spring under it. Watch out, there's live electricity at the contacts right next to it. Use tools with insulated handles. Tightening or loosening it will produce more or less pressure. Count how many times you turn the nut, in case you need to set it back to the original position.
I just heard from my husband and I asked him about it.
He said he changed the filter before he left Sunday. He said he put in a high quality, refined (sand?) filter and maybe it's somehow restricting the flow. He said maybe try a regular, paper filter and see if that helps.
What do you think? He's new to wells also so he could be way off.
Nevermind, I just read the thread. Doesn't seem to be the pressure switch. looks like you're narrowing it down.
That certainly narrows it down! It would appear to be either a defective filter or..., improperly installed filter.
The less time the pump has to run and the longer the interval between run cycles..., the better!
If the pump "run cycle" is fairly short while testing with the faucet at the tank, the problem is in the line going into the house.
Let us know what the time tests by running the tank faucet turn out to be.
Improperly installed? My husband? Dear lord, can you hear me laughing from way over here?
I'll learn how to install the thing and see if it's in there right. Oh gosh, this is funny!
Thanks for you help tonight! I'll be sure to tell hubby that the filter is defective. ;-)
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