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One Line Jet Pump (C) Daniel Friedman Water Pressure Diagnostic Table Q&A-5
Water pump repair FAQs set 5

Questions & answers about diagnosing problems with water pressure:

These FAQs help diagnose the reason that a water pump or well pump won't start, won't stop, or cycles on and off too often.

This article series provides a series of 3 tables giving step by step checklist for diagnosing water pressure, water pump, and water well problems. We give diagnostic and repair procedures for both municipal water supply problems and well water supply problems.

InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website.

- Daniel Friedman, Publisher/Editor/Author - See WHO ARE WE?

FAQs Poor Water Pressure from a Pump - set #5

These questions & answers about how to figure out why a water pump won't start running, won't stop running, or runs switching on and off too often were posted originally

at WATER PRESSURE TABLE 1: PUMP WON'T RUN, WON'T STOP, or CYCLES - so you will want to be sure to review that advice,

or start right at the top: WATER PRESSURE PROBLEM DIAGNOSIS TABLE.

Comment: working on well and piping systems can cause water filter clogging & loss of water pressure

Just wanted to share a problem that occurred with us the last time we put air in the water pump tank. After putting air in the tank, we turned the pump on and the pump worked fine. Pressure to the first water filter was excellent but there was little to no water coming out in the outlets in the house. Turns out it was the primary filter.

Apparently when you run the water down in the tank to zero, there is a lot of sediment in the line when you turn it back on. This clogged up the primary filter causing little to no water to go to the house outlets.

We discovered this was the cause by removing the filters and just putting the casing back on and then checking the water pressure in the house. Without the filter we had great pressure.

So we changed the filters and everything was fine (even though we had just changed the filter two months before).

Lesson to learn is when you zero out the pump, make sure you change ALL the filters after the water has built back up (want to wait until it builds back up or you will just get the sediment in the new filters). - Douglas Erb

Reply:

Thanks for this helpful tip, Douglas - indeed we need to remember that doing any plumbing work can stir up debris in the system that then clogs a water filter. Sometimes where there is no main water filter installed, we can see a similar problem showing up as reduced flow at individual faucets after some work on the plumbing system - unscrew the faucet strainers and flush out the piping and clean the strainers if you see that additional problem.

Question: After replacing a hot water tank we've got lost water pressure. Is it electrical, a clogged filter, bad tank bladder or what?

I have an outside well with an above ground pump. Until a year ago, when I replaced the gas hot water tank located in the attic, I had no well water pressure or water flow problems . The most I could complain about was the occasional specks of fine dirt in the garden tub. Its one year later, and I have started to experience good pressure on hot and cold water for about a minute and half before the water slows and then stops.

I simply shut the faucets off and wait for about a 2 minute period and then turn them both back on and the water flows without interruption or loss of pressure. In two recent times the outside sub panel breaker box which houses the A/C and the Well pump breakers, the Well pump breaker was tripped.

Do I have an electrical issue (electric pump intermittent failure), a filter or bladder clog, or some other age or sediment related issue.

The well is 12 plus years old and delivers throughout the worse droughts here in NC. What should and could I do to fix this? - Vince NB, Charlotte NC

Reply: a clogged water filter stays clogged until it's replaced - it won't get better on its own. A stick tank bladder or control can, however give intermittent water pressure behavior

I'm not sure, Vince, but I don't think that a clogged filter will recover when water is shut off; a flapping bit of debris at a hot water tank or cold water pressure tank can behave that way. The tripping pump breaker is a clue that the pump motor may be failing or overheating. I'd check there.

 

On 2018-05-07 by (mod) - how do I fix my shorted pump wiring?

I'm nervous that someone could be shocked or killed - if the pump wiring is shorted, for example. If you are not trained and safe in handling electrical repairs, I hope you called an electrician.

If you are up to it this article series includes repair methods for pumps and electric motors.

On 2018-05-05 by Kim

Had water pressure, I unplugged pump, blew a fuse ...reset ...elect is back on but now pump won't pump water to the house....
What should I be doing to get it working again?

On 2018-04-16 14:00:01.053254 by (mod) -

Jerry

Try replacing the pressure control switch and the tube conducting water pressure to it. That should cure the problem of the switch not turning on the pump when water pressure falls below the CUT IN.

The motor size is not a factor in that problem.

On 2018-04-16 10:16:00.820244 by Jerry

Living on a small holding, water source tank (5000l) on the ground. Tank full of water supplied by borehole. 0.37kw motor with pressure control. Pressure builds up to 2.5bar, pressure decreases with demand, does not switch on when pressure decreases ( motor does not kick in to supply water demand). No blockages, fitted new pressure controller still does the same. Does motor size play a roll for switch on.

On 2018-03-31 23:50:34.882701 by Jeremiah

We recently lost all water pressure, I replaced the pressure switch and turned power back on. After waiting an hour we still have no water pressure, wear am I going wrong here. Im no expert by any means so please feel free to dumb things down for me.

On 2018-03-29 01:03:23.866794 by Marty

When in shower lose all water but pump clicking on off

On 2018-03-10 15:26:36.107620 by (mod) -

This sounds like a problem with
- the dishwasher drain (clogging)
or
- a dishwasher float or water level control failure

On 2018-03-04 05:06:52.371170 by Angie

My dishwasher seems very. Hot wen cycle is finished apart from that dishes and all seems good until I go to start loading it again at there loads of water build up inside just bout to pour onto floor ,could this be water pressure to severe as I don't think pump as emptys fine and the water is clean but now iv got to drain it before each use ,any advice greatly appreciated thank u

On 2018-03-02 01:00:42.533962 by (mod) -

by compressor, I'm guessing that you're referring to a water pump that was replaced. Otherwise I don't understand what kind of system is installed and you need to tell me more. Typically if you have good water pressure but for a very brief time I suspect that the water pipes are clogged perhaps with mineral deposits. That's assuming that the pump is continuing to run normally.

On 2018-03-02 00:55:43.122879 by Karen Jane

We have been having incrementally decreasing water pressure for 2 weeks. Plumber out, new compressor and new water softener (it had stopped working earlier). Fantastic water pressure when I first turn on tap but after 8 or 20 seconds it goes down to our former near trickle. What's wrong?

On 2018-02-12 19:34:30.801799 by (mod) -

I'm not sure what you replaced, Mike, nor what a not-sagging mobile home belly has to do with this question. Help me understand.

For low water pressure diagnosis I'd try first reading through the table of common causes given in the article above on this page.

Let me know what questions come up next.

On 2018-02-12 18:00:15.383698 by Mike

I live in a mobilhome and water pressure was so low, so I replaced new ones. But I still have same problem. Belly of mobilhome isn't sagging. I don't know what else is wrong. Please help me.

On 2018-02-06 00:11:54.016037 by (mod) -

Sorry Jun I don't quite understand the question.

If the switch is clicking rapidly or the pump is cycling rapidly there is a blockage somewhere or it's not able to reach cutoff pressure- I'd turn off the pump at that point and call your plumber for repair.

If the pump is short cycling on and off you can also search InspectApedia using the search box above to find our diagnosis and repair article at
WATER PUMP SHORT CYCLING

On 2018-02-05 23:09:55.530269 by Jun

My water pump making noise when it reach to the setting of the desire psi(50psi) the pressure swicth i obeserve is so noise just like on and off?

On 2018-01-25 23:31:34.692046 by (mod) -

THis sounds as if the pressure control switch is not sensing water pressure - replace it and clear any debris from the tube conducting water pressure to the switch

On 2018-01-25 23:14:31.936960 by Todd

My water pressure registers 90 at high and drops down to 10 before the pumps cycles again.Lots of water pressure and then very little.About 45 seconds to recycle.Is my switch bad,I tried to lower the pressure and raise the start but no change

On 2018-01-25 18:49:46.627938 by (mod) -

If the switch has a protection circuit that turns it off in event that short cycling is detected that could be happening.

Check also for a debris clogged pressure tube between switch and pump/tank/piping

On 2018-01-25 18:49:14.248818 by (mod) -

If the switch has a protection circuit that turns it off in event that short cycling is detected that could be happening.

Check also for a debris clogged pressure tube between switch and pump/tank/piping

On 2018-01-25 18:11:13.957030 by scott

so I have been having trouble with my pressure switch...and need some advice. ok so my contacts where burnt...and where not catching... I replaced the pressure switch. so now the switch works like ten times in a row.....hood contact smooth catch....on the 10th time it misses and I have to trip the switch manually. any ideas?

On 2018-01-10 20:51:00.135904 by (mod) -

The air pre-charge with the pump off and pressure drained off completely needs to be 2 psi below the pressure switch CUT IN pressure. Yours is probably set way too high.

On 2018-01-10 20:50:40.145032 by Anonymous

And is it normal that it fills the water lines to the house with air pressure?

On 2018-01-10 20:49:04.592830 by Anonymous

When I fill the controlled air water tank to the 38psi that is specified for the pressure switch it doesn't stay pressurized what should I do?

On 2017-12-24 02:46:11.289537 by (mod) -

Tebogo

The steps in the table above or a good place to start diagnosing the problem you described.

Please give that a shot and let me know where you end up and I'll be glad to discuss this with you further.

On 2017-12-23 05:28:19.556203 by Tebogo

My water tank were empty and the pressure pump ran for sometime and now it's showing failure indicator after refilling the water tank. It isn't pressurising the water.

On 2017-12-18 03:14:51.549540 by Anonymous

Sounds like there may be a burst pipe. I would take a closer look.

On 2017-12-17 23:45:29.051012 by John

Won’t hold pressure it sounds like the water is running in the pump house

On 2017-12-07 12:32:34.555782 by Mack

My shallow well pump has always worked properly, until I had a leak. Now after the problem was fixed it works goos when taking a shower or washing clothes. When you turn the bath tub on it will pretty much fill the tub but the water will stop.

Last night I filled the tub and the water stopped the pump was running but the not pumping water the pressure had dropped.

I removed the plug where I prime it and there was water in the pump, I put the plug back in turned the pump on and it started to pump again . This has happened twice, what could be the problem?

On 2017-12-06 20:48:20.067109 by (mod) -

Anon

You can try adjusting the pressure control switch to a reasonable operating range

See ADJUST PUMP PRESSURE CONTROL at https://inspectapedia.com/water/Pressure_Switch_Nut_Adjust.php

On 2017-12-06 09:37:08.420669 by Anonymous

what can i do if our well pump the pressure is high and low?

On 2017-11-11 00:16:18.128879 by Maya liamzon

What ia the right size of pump for prierties with just 9 toileta and lavatories , 4 showers and 2 kitchen , 4 fauceta at garden?

On 2017-10-14 04:46:41.120281 by Anjana

I have not understood how to increase pressure of tank for our Kent purifier

On 2017-10-04 15:02:36.027607 by Alex

What causes the pressure to switch on and off uncontrollably?

On 2017-09-29 16:01:58.449183 by (mod) -

RE: Ernesto's question

what to do when the electric water pump is in the water

Reply:
Some water pumps, called submersible pumps, are designed to be installed right in the well and under-water. See SUBMERSIBLE PUMP at
https://inspectapedia.com/water/Submersible_Pumps.php

The troubleshooting of a submersible well pump involves different thoughts than for an above-ground pump.
Tests at the wiring can measure current draw that in turn can tell us if the pump is running dry (low current) or if the pump is seized or has a ba bearing (high current draw); but pump priming is not normally an issue.

the article I cite above gives details.

On 2017-09-29 01:08:05.977345 by Ernesto garcia

ano po ang gagawin kapag ang electric water pump ay wAlang mahigop na tubig

On 2017-09-10 13:20:44.517252 by Sally

Our pump recently started running as pressure won't increase. It just runs and runs. We had our plumber out, and he replaced the gauge and pressure points.

Kept happening, so we were thinking our well was low.

However, we discovered that if the pressure stalls, you switch the pump off and then back on after a few seconds, pressure kicks right in, shoots up to where it's supposed to be (45psi) and it's fine. It doesn't happen all the time, mind you.

9 times out of ten, everything runs normally, but we have to listen every time the pump comes on to make sure the "no pressure" thing isn't happening. Any ideas?

On 2017-08-21 17:43:22.119630 by (mod) -

Charlene:

If there is no valve between pump outlet and pressure tank, and if there are no installation errors or piping errors, I suspect that the tank bladder, like some politicians, is stuck on itself. Ask your plumber to take a look.

Let me know what you're told.

On 2017-08-20 21:52:58.274690 by Charlene

New pump new tank new pressure swith... Tank won't fill

On 2017-08-09 19:41:46.249349 by Shawn brock

Question we had an issue with a transformer blowing the other day and pushing half power to the house. Since my deep well with a vertical 220/240 pump will have normal pressure then loose complete pressure stay of 30 seconds to 1 minute then come back on with normal pressure.

I replaced the pressure valve and the tank is only 2 years old the pump is old and when the pressure gets below the 40 psi cut in point the pump hums or buzzes for a couple seconds cuts off and then in 30 seconds to a minute comes back on working properly and pumps to proper psi what is my issue?

On 2017-08-05 17:30:51.810406 by Warren

My Wotex pressure pump picks up pressure and then drops to zero again. With all taps closed the pump keeps on starting to pick up the pressure.

On 2017-08-01 06:11:52.096104 by Anonymous

I changed the well pump motor and have pressure buildup but not running pressure ?

On 2017-07-25 by (mod) - It is normal for the water pressure to vary between the high and low settings of the pressure control switch

Rudy,

It is normal for the water pressure to vary between the high and low settings of the pressure control switch - also referred to at the pump control switch as the CUT OUT (high) and CUT IN (pressures).

As water flows through the lawn watering system air pressure in the tank is pushing water out of the tank and into the watering piping system.

When pressure in the tank falls to the CUT IN pressure the switch turns on the pump.

In your situation the well and pump are able to deliver water faster than water is flowing out into the lawn watering system - which is good for you.

So the pump turns on at the CUT IN and starts sending water into the tank.

Even though water is also being drawn out and into the watering system, since the pump is delivering more GPM than the watering system is using, the pump "gets ahead" of the usage rate and is able to bring pressure in the water tank back up to the CUT OFF pressure.

At that point the pump stops and stays off until the pressure drops again to the cut-in.

Watch out: if the HI-LOW pressure that you are seeing is a very short interval, say 15 seconds or less, then the pressure tank is water-logged, it's lost most of its air charge, and it's switching the pump on and off so often you may overheat the pump and damage it.

If that's happening to your system see WATER PUMP SHORT CYCLING at https://inspectapedia.com/water/Short_Cycling_Pump.php

On 2017-07-25 22:53:03.565725 by Rudy

well system for lawn Why the water pressure continually varies from high to low through out the entire timed cycle

On 2017-07-06 14:24:03.961438 by (mod) -

If there is no clogged Well Screen, and no leak in well piping, but the flow rate being delivered is poor, then I suspect a damaged pump impeller, no voltage, or low water flow rate into the well

On 2017-07-05 14:45:25.047154 by (mod) -

I am guessing that the air charge in the tank was corrected, or the inlet to the tank could be blocked.

On 2017-07-04 21:40:32.362208 by (mod) -

Lucky

Leave the pump OFF for safety - it sounds as if the impeller assembly or the motor itself is seized.

On 2017-07-04 19:55:45.433796 by lucky

Enter your comment here
my pump do turn on nd gives a low sound bt can't turn the motor, I changed the capacitor but stl no difference.

On 2017-07-03 17:42:46.809429 by Harley

My well pump has full pressure but all of a sudden the pressure tank started taking a longtime to build pressure. Went from maybe 45 seconds now it takes 2-3 minutes what happened

On 2017-07-03 12:58:02.361118 by Ken

Water pressure goes high and then low then goes back to high and then goes back to low what causes that

On 2017-07-02 19:55:10.574913 by Darrold

We have 2 inch well . I have pulled drop pipe and replaced jet we hold water level at top of draw pipe .we only get small stream of water pumping but know pressure pump is good

On 2017-06-06 21:42:33.483098 by (mod) -

Sounds like a faulty pressure control valve, J.T., perhaps mud or debris clogged. The gauge may also be debris clogged.

On 2017-06-06 14:28:49.090144 by J.T.

Well water and no water pressure. Gauge on holding tank reads 40, turned water on to let pump kick on, it kicked on at 20 and then while running dropped to 10. Now gauge won't go up and no water pressure.

On 2017-06-05 22:04:06.455360 by (mod) -

Yes peter a check valve could be stuck but the problem could also be a clogged foot valve.

On 2017-06-04 01:36:14.582962 by Anonymous

Do you think there could be a stuck check valve?

On 2017-06-03 22:44:06.079651 by Peter

Lots of pressure in impeller/difusor compartment, but does not suck or discharge water.

Comment: working on well and piping systems can cause water filter clogging & loss of water pressure

Just wanted to share a problem that occurred with us the last time we put air in the water pump tank. After putting air in the tank, we turned the pump on and the pump worked fine. Pressure to the first water filter was excellent but there was little to no water coming out in the outlets in the house. Turns out it was the primary filter.

Apparently when you run the water down in the tank to zero, there is a lot of sediment in the line when you turn it back on. This clogged up the primary filter causing little to no water to go to the house outlets.

We discovered this was the cause by removing the filters and just putting the casing back on and then checking the water pressure in the house. Without the filter we had great pressure. So we changed the filters and everything was fine (even though we had just changed the filter two months before).

Lesson to learn is when you zero out the pump, make sure you change ALL the filters after the water has built back up (want to wait until it builds back up or you will just get the sediment in the new filters). - Douglas Erb

Reply:

Thanks for this helpful tip, Douglas - indeed we need to remember that doing any plumbing work can stir up debris in the system that then clogs a water filter.

Sometimes where there is no main water filter installed, we can see a similar problem showing up as reduced flow at individual faucets after some work on the plumbing system

- unscrew the faucet strainers and flush out the piping and clean the strainers if you see that additional problem.



...

Continue reading  at WATER PRESSURE PROBLEM DIAGNOSIS TABLE or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see WATER PRESSURE PROBLEM DIAGNOSIS TABLE FAQs-6 - more-recent questions and answers about diagnosing and fixing well or water pumps or pressure booster pumps

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