Sandpoint to Drilled Well

[midnightscape]

So after 3 long months the plumbers finally switch over to my drilled well. Funny thing was is that last night when giving the kids a bath and this morning while taking a shower there was a lot less pressure. Checked the gauge on the tank and it was on 40, cranked her up to 50 but still less pressure. And to top it off the shower faucet is now leaking....aarrrgggh.

Any ideas?

[dhill]

Probably sediment in the fixtures. Clean the screens.

[midnightscape]

Never even thought of that, thanks dhill.

Does a shower/tub faucet have a screen? I know the shower head does, I've had that off before cleaning out the calcium build up.

[dhill]

The tub spigot has no screen, but I suppose you could get sediment build up there too; you just have to unscrew it usually. Turn on the tub and see what happens. I bet you get good flow there.

[VALENT]

I think I would turn on a faucet ( with as much flow as possible or even two or three) and watch the pressure guage. It is possible that the new well installation is not correct or there is a problem. If the pressure goes down a lot and the pump can't bring back the pressure with those faucets flowing, then I would definitely call the person who put in your new well. I agree it sounds like sediment but the timing makes it look like a problem with the changeover or the new well.

[midnightscape]

I watched the gauge as I had the washing machine filling (only source in the basement) and it goes down about 10 psi then kicks on and pumps back up to 50 really quick, maybe 5-10 seconds. I didn't try doing multiple faucets though, maybe I'll do that tonight.

Thanks for the inputs guys.

[Rich]

The limit on the pump might be set too high - so a washing machine has enough flow to kick it on but possibly not a faucet. I agree with Valent on trying to get as many faucets going at once to see if that is the problem. Kicking up the flow may kick on the pump to compensate. Set the limit lower and you should be alright.

[midnightscape]

Rich, how do you set the limit lower on the pump? Will I need to pull it up?

[Rich]

Shouldn't have to - the limits should be set at one of two places - the pump control box or at the expansion (or pressurized) tank (if you have one). The expansion tank will hold the actual presure constant - in turn keeping your flow constant.

[bkrahmer]

I hate (love) to nitpick, but there are a couple points that I would like to debate. 1. Most well systems use a pressure switch which starts the well pump when the pressure drops to a set-point, and stops when it reaches the high set-point. The most common are 30-50 and 40-60. I used a 40-60 in my house, because my pressure tank is in my basement, and I have two floors above. I don't believe one should need to adjust their pressure switch. 2. The pressure tank does not keep pressure constant. It only acts like a buffer to reduce pump cycling.

[Dragon]

It depends on the switch. Most that I have seen are adjustable.

[Rich]

I'm considering the set-point as a limit.. just calling it different names. Specifically I'm talking about the lower limit.

[midnightscape]

The switch on my tank has 2 bolts/nuts to adjust...the longer one which I cranked up the "off" pressure to 50psi and I assume the other is for the "on" pressure. I need to play with that one tonight.

I tried cranking open all the faucets, flushing the toilet and running the shower and they all ran fairly good/normal except the shower.

Also now my damn kitchen sink is dripping too on top of the shower dripping. I think it's just old and needs to be replaced.

[bkrahmer]

I stand corrected. I guess I haven't looked at enough well systems. I hadn't seen adjustable pressure switches before...

[Vector]

The suddenly leaking faucets tend to lead me to believe you have a lot of sediment that's getting into them and keeping them from sealing well.

I've see that also cause very low flow at a single fixture before too.

I'd suggest getting a whole-house sediment filter (pretty cheap, HD sells 'em for $16-$50 depending on capacity). Then take apart the fixtures that are leaking or have poor flow and clean 'em out good. Rebuild them if you can get the parts (usually only costs a few $ per valve). If they're really old, you might just want to replace them. But put in that filter first, because you don't want to fill all your new fixtures with sediment.

[VALENT]

The leaky faucets could be caused by higher pressure(the new pump set at higher operating pressures) but that contradicts the bath/shower having a lower output. Try taking off the showerhead and see if maybe it is clogged. As far as those pressure switches are concerned, there are many different variations-some cant be adjusted, some have one screw adjust on and off pressures, some have two screws which work independently-- you need to look closely at your pressure switch. Sediment is definitely a very likely problem. Do like Vector said and get a filter that hooks up right near the pressure tank and then clean those valves.

[midnightscape]

I had the well driller come back out and make sure the switch is set OK. He said it was set fine and maybe there was solder in the shower controls that was making the flow slow there, since the other faucets are fine. The kitchen faucet is going to be changed so not worried about that one but still have to take apart the shower. Will look into the filter.

Thanks guys.
midnight