Plumbing in the Home/Well losing pressure

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Expert: Anthony - The Plumber - 7/5/2009


Question
I have 120' well in a 60' casing (at least that is what is stamped on the label on the side of the well) with a submersible pump and a bladder tank.  I have very poor water pressure in the house and recently it has started getting worse.  

I just checked the pressures on the gauge when the pump kicks on and off.  It comes on at ~40psi and off at ~60 psi.  The pressure in the tank is at ~55psi when the pump is not running.  

When I open a hose bib near the pump the pressure on the pump gauge drops to ~40 and then within a minute drops suddenly to ~15psi.  If a 2nd valve is opened the pressure drops to ~10psi.  The pressure maintains at this pressure until the valves are closed at which time the pressure increases to ~60 and the pump cuts off.  The well holds this pressure until a valve is again opened.

What can I do to remedy this drop in pressure.  Is this a problem with the pump, or the well itself?

Thanks in advance for your help.
Bob

Answer
Bob,

Sounds to me like your pump or hi/lo cut off switch is not working
correctly.

I would have both checked out immediately.

Hope this helps.


Regards,


Anthony


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