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Clogged galvanized steel piping (C) Carson Dunlop AssociatesPoor Water Pressure or No Water Pressure FAQs

Index to all Q&A about weak or lost water pressure

Water pressure problem diagnostic questions & answers set 1:

These frequently-asked questions or water pressure FAQs discuss how to diagnose poor water pressure or total loss of water pressure.

This article series explains how and why to distinguish among intermittent water pressure loss, total water pressure loss, and poor water pressure or flow in a building. We give diagnostic and repair procedures for both municipal water supply problems and well water supply problems.

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Poor Water Pressure or NO Water Pressure or Flow FAQs

One Line Jet Pump (C) Daniel FriedmanThese questions & answers on troubleshooting water pressure and flow problems were posted originally

at WATER PRESSURE LOSS DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR - home - where we list each cause of water pressure problems and link to detailed diagnosis and repair steps for each of those.

If you have no water pressure at all, see NO WATER PRESSURE

Article Index

...


I need a sensor to turn off the pump when there's no water in the cistern

I have a 1500 gal Cistern 15L x10W x 8H that sometimes runs out of water and the pump keeps running and then I have to buy a new one. Is there a sensor that can be placed on the pipe that is 8 inches from the bottom to tell the pump to shut off On 2018-04-04 by Lee

by (mod) -

Lee

Check with your local plumbing supplier or online - there are many varities of pump control switches that use a float switch to shut off a pump at low water as well as other types of pump protectors that we describe

at WATER PUMP PROTECTION SWITCH 


We're on municipal water hookup but there's no water pressure

No Water pressure since noon - we're on a muni hook up.On 2017-12-24 by Ed

by (mod) -

Ed

When connected to municipal water if you have no water first check with your neighbours - the whole system could be shut down.

If neighbours have water, then I'd look for a blocked or turned-off water main between your building and the street, or an unusual failure in or at the water meter or waterpressure regulator.

See our complete diagnosis advice at WATER PRESSURE LOSS DIAGNOSIS, MUNICIPAL

Also check out the advice at WATER PRESSURE REDUCER / REGULATOR - how to adjust the water pressure regulator on a municipal water supplied building




 

We have poor water pressure after installing large pressure tank

We installed a water tank about 50 feet from the well, and put the booster pump at the WELL site instead of at the tank...Our water pressure is not as good as it was when we didn't have the tank and booster pump system. Could that be because the booster pump is not at the tank?

The tank is 2500 gal (June 1, 2014) Marlo Richert

Reply:

Marlo,

Any snafu in the installation could be at fault: smaller diameter piping, a valve partly shut, a solder blog clogging a pipe, or a pressure control switch not properly set, or change in pump capacity.

Submersible well pumps can be much more distant than 50 ft. from the pressure tank and work fine.

But I'm unclear what sort of pump you're using, how many pumps you've got and where they are. It's the pump that sets the pressure and flow rate, not the size of the water tank - unless your water tank is feeding a building from above by gravity.

Certainly if you are running the system with a single pressure control switch I'd look at those settings as well as at pump capacity.

 

 

 

 

Water pressure gauge is very high & the pump is ugly noises

How come my well pressure gauge is to high - ll0 psi making ugly noises (Aug 9, 2014) Anonymous

Reply:

Anon:

Watch out: - that is an extremely high and DANGEROUS pressure for a residential water system. A plumber in New York was killed when working on an over pressurized water tank that burst.

Possibly the pressure is not really that high and the gauge is defective, Otherwise I suspect a defective pump control switch and very dangerous conditions.

Turn the system off. Drain system pressure from a remote, safe spot away from the pressure tank.

 

Is our well pump worn out?

Home water well pump --
I recently have done a lot of outside watering (unusually high water use) and could notice when the pump was coming on and off based on the pressure/flow.

After a week or so, the pump now comes on and stays on as the pressure/flow never builds as high as it should though it still has moderate pressure and flow. ( I have never changed anything on the pump or switch )

If I momentarily cut the pressure tank off the system (shut the valve to the tank), then the pump quickly shuts off.
I cut the pressure tank back into the system and the pump remains off until next time the water pressure drops.

Wondering if I just wore out the pump but since it shuts off when I cut out the tank I am not sure.

Home water well pump --
update: I am guessing this problem was because the water level dropped from heavy use and the pump struggled to pull the extra head weight.

The pump came on and ran all night without my knowing it so it may be burned up.
I will have water hauled to raise the water level but suspect I may have to replace the pump now. (Aug 26, 2014)

Reply:

Home

Typically the problem you describe arises from

- low flow into the well

- absence of a pump protection control

- internal pump damage

- clogging of an inlet strainer in the well

and sometimes

- from a leak in well piping

and occasionally

- from low voltage

If the pump is burned-up it won't run at all.

Indeed, hauling water to and pouring it into a low-water-level well may not be much help - the added water may simply leak back into the ground around the well bore where local water table levels have dropped.

 

Our water pump won't turn on until pressure is at zero

My water pump does not kick on until i have almost no water pressure.

I replaced the pressure switch, to no avail. i have a tank that does NOT have a diaphram.

Usually i have to put more air into the tank because it comes on too soon.

Could i somehow have gotten too much air into the tank? i havent pumped air into the tank in some time. (Sept 13, 2014) bob kennedy

Reply by (mod):

Bob

First check that the tank's air pressure pre-charge when the tank is EMPTY is at 2 psi below the pump pressure control switch CUT-IN pressure.

Details are at WATER TANK AIR HOW MUCH TO ADD

If that doesn't fix the problem, then check for debris clogging in the tube that conducts water pressure to the pressure sensing port on the pressure switch.

Also check for a sticking pressure gauge. The pressure gauge does not control water pressure but if it's stuck it can give an incorrect pressure reading.

Followup by Bob K.

I think my problem IS a clog, i just gotta figure out where. why would the gauge matter? i thought that it was just for ME to see the pressure. the gauge is in fact NOT working, as it hasnt in years(that's why i didnt think it mattered).

Also, i have a(garden) hose line hooked up before it goes to my house water.

i tried the hose and it seemed to kick on the pump after a little pressure decrease, sort of like it should. im thinking perhaps a clog from my filter to the house. im also thinking to replace everything from my well to my main house line.

THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIMELY RESPONSE AND PLUMBING WISDOM!

Reply by (mod):

Bob you're right to question my advice about the gauge. THe gauge has nothing to do with the operation of the pump control nor piping. I included it for a different reason: the same debris that clogs a pump pressure control switch sensor port will often also clog a pressure gauge.

Because we can see the gauge and notice it it is acting oddly - like sticking - that can help diagnose the problem over at the pressure switch.

 

How to troubleshoot a Grundfos .75 HP submersible pump - it ran until water stopped and pressure was zero

I have Grundfos .75 HP submersible pump, new last October: my static level was 35ft, pump set was 175feet, well depth was 200feet. (I have a 30/50 pressure switch also less than 1 year old).

I filled my hot tub (250 gallons) yesterday. The water stopped flowing. pressure was at zero. I turned off the power to the pump & let it sit for about 20 minutes. I turned the power back on, and the water pressure went up to 30, and stopped. When I ran the water, the pressure went to zero. I turned off the power again, and left it off for 3 hours.

After turning it on again, the pressure went up to 50 and cut off. I thought I was home free. When I woke up this morning, I turned on the faucet and the water trickled and stopped. The pressure was at zero. I turned the power off again. What is wrong? (Sept 18, 2014) tom

Reply:

Tom

It sounds as if you are describing a well with poor recovery rate. Have you checked that?

Is it possible you ran the well dry? Or burned a pump motor or control switch?

 

What causes rising high pressure readings on water pressure gauge

The gauge on our water well has been going up from 65 normal now to 75 and 80. I the water going down in the well its self? in the tank it reads 42. Is it bad? (Sept 19, 2014) Lettie Hulet

Reply:

Sounds like a debris-clogged pressure gauge is not reading pressure properly. Confirm this by making an independent static water pressure measurement on the system at the tank or at a convenient hose bib.

Lettie

check for a debris clogged, sticking water pressure gauge

Watch out: if a pump control itself is actually generating abnormally high pressures the system is unsafe!

 

Why do we have random loss of water pressure

One week ago the water pressure in my home at random began to fall off to a trickle for 30 seconds or so then recover to normal.

It is now (still at random) slowing,then stopping completely,then recovering. I have a private well,80' deep.

No leaks or obvious issues on the house side.Where do i start first on the well side of the system?P.S. Thank you for this amazing resource! (Nov 7, 2014) Matt

Reply:

"At random" odd water pressure behaviour on a pump and well system suggests a pressure control switch is sticking or not responding to changes in water pressure, perhaps because the switch sensor port is debris clogged. Try changing the switch. Let me know if that works.

Then if the problem remains check for loss of water in the well.

 

What do I use to remove white mineral crud clogging our well water pipes?

My PVC water pipe, coming from the outside well pump into the basement is crudded up with what looks like white material (from the type of water I have).

What do I use to clean that out of the inside of the pipe so I can have more of an even flow of water and the pump doesn't have to work as hard? (Nov 24, 2014) LarryS

Reply:

Larry

Some suggestions are at CLOGGED TANKLESS COIL or PIPES, LIME SCALE 

And you might want to consider installing a water softener.

Does complete loss of water pressure mean a bad pressure tank

Is completely losing water pressure altogether and/or frequently a sign of a bad pressure tank?

I started my pressure tank over and over last evening and it would immediately start dropping in pressure until there was none if i turned on a faucet..

This happened repeatedly. I gave up. Attempted to call for repair;unsuccessfully (weekend). (Nov 29, 2014) Anonymous

Reply: not directly

No, probably not. It's the pump that creates pressure in the water supply system and the well that supplies the water.

The pressure tank smooths the flow or delivery of water during pump on and off cycles and reduces the load on the pump by avoiding rapid on-off cycling of the pump when water is run.

But indirectly, if your pump has been short cycling due to loss of the water tank air charge, that short-cycling can ultimately burn up the pressure control switch or even damage the pump itself.

Why does water pressure drop to zero before the pump relay clicks on

I have a PAD 20 Perma well tank. The gauge reads 60 psi. When we run the water or flush the toilet, the water pressure drops to 0 psi after a few seconds (relay clicks). We still have water flow but it is poor. The gauge stays at 0PSI until we turn off the water. he gauge then builds pressure back to 60 psi and the same thing always happens.

I drained the system and checked the air pressure and it is at 40 psi. I believe my bladder is still fine. Its as though my pump doesn't turn on to build pressure. Anyone have any advice? Thanks 12/7/2014 Bill

Reply:

Bill often when I see the symptom you describe I find that debris or rust has clogged the tiny opening in the bottom of the pressure switch through which it senses water pressure.

Gauges can similarly clog, as can the small diameter tubing that brings water and pressure to some pressure switches. Try changing the switch.

Also see WATER PRESSURE STOPS, RETURNS

Followup by Bill

Thanks, I will replace the switch. This one does not turn on to build pressure while the water is running. Its like the water is gravity fed after the switch relay clicks when the water is on for a few seconds.

It never clicks again to build pressure. The pressure only builds up after the water is turned off (no relay click). Thanks again.

Reply:

Bill often a debris clogged pressure switch waits to turn on until pressure is abnormally low, or ultimately it just does not respond at all.

Sometimes we can detect the sticky switch by tapping on it - if it runs when tapped it may have been stuck or clogged.

 

We find that there is practically no water pressure, only in the morning

I have a deep water well system. Lately we find that there is practically no water pressure, only in the morning , there is only a trickle in the shower and in taps.

However after awhile the pressure returns to normal for the rest of the day. What could be causing that , any ideas would be helpful. (Apr 6, 2015) John McMerty

And from another reader:

My house is losing water pressure in the AM when I get home from work: water slows to just a slow stream then goes to nothing, but not always. Then about 10 minutes later water pressure goes back to normal with no other problem throughout the day. We're on a well sumersable pump; there no visible leaks. On 2018-05-09 by Confused.

And a third example of this problem:

The loss of water pressure in my house always happen in the morning (2 to 3 times a week recently), or when we come back from a few days trip.

It only lasts for about 3 or 4 minutes. On the pressure gauge I can see it goes all the way down to 0, then minutes later I hear the click and pressure starts to go up.

Any idea what could be the cause? Could a faulty pressure gauge cause it? The gauge was replaced about a year ago by a plumber. The gauge itself is from Lowes ProPlumber-Plastic-Steel-Pressure-Gauge — some bad reviews. On 2017-10-08 by Nor'easter (no email) -

Reply:

The fact that sometimes you have good water pressure (which I assume means flow rate in this case) suggests that the problem is not the pump and probably not the piping.

Since the low water pressure symptom shows up after a period during which nobody has been running water, that suggests that possibly your pressure control switch is debris clogged and so doesn't turn on the pump until you've run enough water to drop the pressure well below the CUT-IN pressure. Then once you've "exercised" the switch it continues to work ... for a while.

Replace the pressure control switch and the pressure sensing tubing that may also be clogged.

A bad water pressure gauge itself won't have any impact on when the pump turns on or off, except that the same silt or crud that clogs the water pressure gauge port might also clog the water pressure control switch sensor or its tube. See WATER PRESSURE GAUGE to read more about gauge replacement, installation, troubleshooting, repair

 

Well water is making an awful banging noise in our toilets when flushing

Our well water is making an awful banging noise in our toilets when flushing, and a little noise in our sinks. The water comes out of the sinks alright, then it spurts out like it's spitting at us. There is now less water in one sink.

Me again...just started getting rushing water sounds inside the bathroom when all the water is turned off. What is happening? (Apr 14, 2015) Sam

Reply:

Sam

In the ARTICLE INDEX found among the Continue Reading links at the end of this article please see

AIR DISCHARGE at FAUCETS, FIXTURES

and also see

WATER HAMMER NOISE DIAGNOSE & CURE to address those banging problems

 

Suddenly if one fixture runs there's no water elsewhere

We have a well. My pressure was perfectly normal, and then all of a sudden, if the water is running in one place, there is little to no water in the other areas of the house.

This was never the case before. What could be the cause of this. The pressure is lower then normal all the time, but adequate, as long as you only run one fixture. It used to run adequately at multiple fixtures until 3 days ago. (Apr 14, 2015) Moon

Reply:

Moon

Typically we see this when there is a reduction in the water system flow rate: it could be due to a blockage in supply piping or a loss of the flow rate from the well or even damage to the pump itself.

 

The pressure gage reads 100 PSI and am unable to adjust the pressure switch

My jet-pump deep well, used for watering the animals and irrigation some time will run for 10 minutes or more and shut off tripping the breaker.

The pressure gage reads 100 PSI and am unable to adjust the pressure switch. No change in gage setting, the pump will continue to run with gage pressure remaining at 80 PSI but no water delivery until I PRIME the pump and the gage reaches 100 psi then I get a strong water flow. It will sometime run for 30 to 45 minutes before shutting off again,

This pressure switch is only about 3 months old, could it still be a faulty pressure switch or a pressure gage I never seen the gage reading below 70 PSI and it has always tact out to 100 PSI. (May 18, 2015) Willie

Reply:

Willie:

Make an independent pressure measurement - we want to know if the gauge is stuck.

Watch out: if the pressure is really as high as your gauge says this is DANGEROUS as a pipe or tank can burst and injure someone. If that's the case

1. there should be a pressure relief valve on the tank so I presume that one is either missing (add it) or not working (replace it)

2. replace the pressure gauge and any clogged mounting tubes or pressure sensor tubes.

Keep us posted.

 

We're getting no water from a sprinkler system pump that draws from a lake

I have a pump to run my sprinkler. It pulls the water from my lake. It has 4 valves for the 4 sprinkler zones. It also has a spicket for a hose.

There is a regular switch to turn the pump on and off. The strange thing is that there is a small pressure tank? I suppose if all 4 sprinkler valves where off it would be for the spicket.

Well, this year I can not get any water:-(. We have checked everything! If the pressure tank had a rupture would that keep us from getting water? (June 1, 2015) Katie

Reply:

A ruptured pressure tank would not directly keep you from getting water, but it would become waterlogged and cause pump short-cycling. That in turn can burn up a pump motor.

I'd check for

- lost pump prime

- a damaged or stuck foot valve or check valve at the lake end of your water pick up pipe

- a hole in piping or disconnected piping

- a damaged pump impeller (assuming the pump motor runs)

See also WATER PRESSURE PROBLEM DIAGNOSIS TABLE

 

Water pressure stopped, started after a button was reset, happened again

We recently moved into a home that has a well. for six months the pressure was fine. but then one day the pressure went down to nothing. my son pushed a button on the pump which is in the house and the water came back. this has happened several times. the water lasts about two days then goes out again.

can you help me narrow things down. we really know very little about wells. (June 8, 2015) Melissa

Reply:

Melissa you need an onsite expert, but from what I read in your question it sounds as if the well may be running out of water; the pump circuit can contain a pump protection circuit (search InspectApedia for that term to read more) that shuts off the pump rather than let it run dry.

 

 

We're only getting 120V at a 240V pump switch

I have a 240v water pressure switch that is only getting half power at switch. Ran a new line from electrical box to pressure switch and still have problem. (Sept 23, 2015) Anonymous

Reply:

Anon:

Watch out: Considering you could be shocked or killed it sounds like time to get some help from a licensed electrician.

After all, if you ran a new line from electrical panel to switch but have power on ony one leg of the 240V circuit then there is a wiring or panel or breaker problem to find and fix, probably at the panel.

 

We're still losing water pressure after installing new pressure switch

I have changed my pressure switch and the valve under it that connects it to the pipe and my pressure pump is still losing it pressure leaving me with very little or no water at all. (Feb 4, 2016) Anonymous

Reply:

Anon:

Check for a leaky foot valve or check valve at the pump or in the well. Or the well itself may have a poor flow/recovery rate.

 

Fflooding near our well, running toilet, lost water pressure.

We recently had heavy rain and snow melting which caused major flooding near our well. Coincidentally, we had a toilet tank that started to constantly run and noticed a loss in water pressure throughout the house. I shut the toilet off and regained sone pressure.

However I still notice a loss in pressure, especially at the furthest faucet in the house.

The pressure seems to change as we gain more rain or see more flooding. Would any of this cause pressure issues...should I wait out the flooding or call for repair? (Feb 28, 2016) Nicole

Reply: Loss of water supply will not directly explain diminished water pressure

Nicole,

It seems we are discussing more than one problem here.

A running toilet wastes water and floods (and potentially ruins) the septic drainfield. In the case of a very poor recovery-rate well, any running plumbing fixture might also exhaust the water supply at the well, at least temporarily.

Loss of water supply will not directly explain diminished water pressure - really the flow rate observed at a faucet. But there can be an indirect connection.

If the well pump is protected in the well by a "tailpiece" designed to limit the draw of water out of a well that has a poor recovery rate, when water is low in the well the pump may never be able to pump enough water to reach the cut-off pressure.

Turn off the water supply, wait 4 - 12 hours. Try again. If the supply and pressure return I suspect that the well has a poor recovery rate.

Flooding near the well would not itself cause loss of water pressure - unless flooding entered a well pit and shorted out electrical controls located there. (Your well pump controls may be indoors in which case that's not an issue).

A modern sanitary well using a steel casing driven to bedrock is, properly constructed, not going to have surface flooding leak into a well. If surface waters DO leak into a water well the water is likely to be unsanitary. A water test for bacterial contamination is a good screening test for that condition.

 

Clogging in piping may explain poor water flow rate when pressures are normal

I have installed a new submersible pump and the pressure switch is new .its a 30/50 and it starts and stops at the right time .

the pump seems to be fine at the top of the well i have awesome water pressure and water flow... But from the tank to the house it just isn't wanting to act right ... the pressure lacks and or the flow itself . i know the air pressure in my tank is right ,

And from what i have read here I'm thinking maybe clogging and debris could be a factor. Thanks for any help (Dec 6, 2015) Charles

Reply:

I would look for clogging as you suggest, at valves and elbows. Start right at the pressure tank to confirm that you have good water flow from the well piping.

 

Whenever I use my outdoor faucets, the water pressure drops in the house.

I have well water. Whenever I use my outdoor faucets, the water pressure drops in the house. Is it a good idea to bypass my water softener when I use the outdoor faucets? I don't think the softener is connected to the outside faucets but I'm not sure.

I also notice that when I am away from home for a week or more and not using any water during that time, that the water pressure is low. I recharge my water softener and the pressure returns to normal. Any thoughts please. 2016/06/15 Scott

Reply:

Scott:
For using water outdoors where it doesn't need to be softened it makes perfect sense to take off that water supply from a point in the water supply piping ahead of (before) the water softener. That reduces unnecessary work by the water softener, reduces salt usage &c.

But that won't explain the pressure drop you cite. More likely it's pretty normal that you can get a high flow rater from an outdoor hose bibb or sill cock (outdoor spigot) - that in turn slows indoor flow rate.


...

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