[Miztiki]

Can you help me? Maybe point me to a site called "well water for dummies" that can help me determine if the problem is major (like need a new well) or minor (like push the reset button).

I have no idea how old or deep the well is. The pressure is low throughout the house. I went outside and looked at the thing but I don't know what I'm looking at. There's a red button and I pushed it and water squirted out of it and hit me in the face. I don't know if I should have pushed that button or not.

I have no clue about these things. Can anybody help me out or point me to a site that can? Please??

[ConservativeMind]

It has been a while for me, but if you know the pump to otherwise be in good shape, you may have an air bubble in the system. This could manifest itself within one of the filter housings, so you should be able to see this. Get the air out via similar buttons if possible.

However, it is possible you have sand that has filled in around your intake. This would be likely if you've known your husband to have to dig it out in the past.

[Cindy]

I'm not sure Miztiki, but I can tell you that:

1. At the end of the summer, some wells tend to have to work harder (less water).

2. Your pressure tank may need cleaning/draining (CALL A PROFESSIONAL) or may be going on the blink.

[ConservativeMind]

Some insights:

Popular Mechanics:

http://www.popularmechanics.com/home_journal/how_your_house_works/1275136.html?page=3

Another source:

http://www.inspect-ny.com/water/pumprepair.htm

[Cindy]

Here you go.

Click on this link and see if this is helpful:

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=well+%2B+low+water+pressure&btnG=Google+Search

[snowsislander]

Another possibility is that you have a leak in a line. You might want to check for any unusual dampness around where your lines run.

[Chief Engineer]

I would bet that you have problem with your preasure switch (near the bottom of the big tank) It is either filled with sediment or is dying of old age. Have a plumber (or your friendly neighbor) check it out for you.

If it is defective it would shut the pump at the bottom of the well off before full pressure is achieved.

Been there...done it!

[Global2010]

Do you have a holding tank?
Call for water to be hauled in untill hubby gets home.

Call the local well pump guy and ask for references.

Do you have a filtration system, may just need to change the filter I have my pump guy come out every 4 months to change mine and it works out to be just about the time the pressure drops.

Did you check the water pressure gauge? If that drops to zero you are not getting water for what ever reason.

I have lived with a dry well for 20 yrs as a single woman.
Had to get in the right local network of decent guys who work together on jobs as pros to have things run smoothly.

[Cagey]

Just maybe....................................The pump don't work cause the vandals took the handle.

[EBH]

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.

[Cagey]

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.

[31M20RedDevil]

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.

[ovrtaxt]

You may need to adjust the pressure switch. It probably looks like this:

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.

[Tijeras_Slim]

Sounds like a problem with the pressure tank. Does the flow increase occasionally, as if the pump is running?

The wells that have gone bad around me (NM mountains) usually have spotty and low flow for a bit first, with longer periods of being "dry".

[Gone_Postal]

here are a few ideas
1. the blue air tank next to the pump should have a gage on it and it should read about 20lbs, if is doesn't have a guage you can use a tire gage to check it....Now if it is low say 15lbs or less you need to add air to it, you can use a tire air pump the kind you plug into your cig lighter of your car, or even a bicylce pump.
2. Next if the low presser seems to be the hot water mostly, then more than likely the connection to the faucets need to be opened up and cleaned of debris mostly iron deposits.

[JRios1968]

Well.....

[politicket]

PING (for reference)