Well Help!

Bubbas Boys · #1 02/02/15, 06:35 PM

Just came from Uncles house trying to get he water back. He had no pressure. Checked juice at switch and was good, got torch cause thought it was frozen (wasn't). Pump was running the whole time but pressure gage never got over 10. 330' well, 17 yrs old. Could bladder be bad in tank? Would that make no pressure? At the end the pump stopped running, I think, Any advise or idea? Thanks!

k9 · #2 02/02/15, 06:40 PM

Hole in the stand pipe letting the water leak back into the well? Pump runs and pumps water but it leaks back out of the pipe and won't build or hold pressure. Just a thought, I've had it happen a couple times.

k9 · #3 02/02/15, 06:41 PM

If you can take the cap off the top of the well you can hear the water flowing back into the well.

Dixie Bee Acres · #4 02/02/15, 06:51 PM

Agree, leak somewhere between water and tank.

k9 · #5 02/02/15, 06:52 PM

Usually if the bladder is bad in the tank they will build up pressure, but not have much "draw down" the air pressure makes a cusion that the water pumps against, air compresses, water doesn't.

RichNC · #6 02/02/15, 06:54 PM

I am going to be it is the "pressure switch" easy peasy fix, and cheap.

Bubbas Boys · #7 02/02/15, 06:56 PM

Great. Thanks guys. I knew u would have some quick ideas!

k9 · #8 02/02/15, 06:58 PM

If the pump is running it should build pressure. OP stated that the pump ran the whole time. Don't know if they could hear it or what, but if it was running the pressure switch would not be the fault at that point.

M5farm · #9 02/02/15, 07:05 PM

It's lost its prime. If foot valve is not hung open you can pour water down pipe to refill it.
Remove the pressure gauge and pour water in there. It will take alot to fill 330'

arabian knight · #10 02/02/15, 07:08 PM

This sounds just what I had a few months ago~!

Pump runs and runs but NO Water, no water pressure at all.
All faucets nothing~!

Turned out to be, and I also agreed with the plumbers guess the impeller at the end of the submersible was gone~!
Pulled the pump and you bet cha that is what it was.!
A new submersible pump installed with new plastic pipes this time and bingo I have lots of water once again~!
It was 23 years old was the date on the old pump when pulled out..

k9 · #11 02/02/15, 07:08 PM

At 330 ft. deep I'm assuming this is a submersible pump, it that correct???

farmrbrown · #12 02/02/15, 07:18 PM

Had very similar experience a few years ago.
About 20 year old well and pump, close to 300 ft deep, pump ran and ran little pressure - then nothing.
Cracked PVC at base of pipe going into submersible pump. Over time the vibration stressed it at that point.
But there's definitely air leaking in and water leaking out of main pipe somewhere to cause the pressure drop and loss of prime. You may get lucky and it's between pump and house, but likely not. Pull and replace.

RichNC · #13 02/02/15, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by k9

If the pump is running it should build pressure. OP stated that the pump ran the whole time. Don't know if they could hear it or what, but if it was running the pressure switch would not be the fault at that point.

Really, cause it only happens to me about two to three times a year due to an old damp well.

k9 · #14 02/02/15, 07:32 PM

Sorry RichNC you must be right it is the switch.

Snowfan · #15 02/02/15, 07:32 PM

My guess is we need more details and maybe pictures.

Bubbas Boys · #16 02/02/15, 07:52 PM

Yes submersible. I have to agree that it is not the switch. I replaced it for him about 3 months ago. Has been working just fine til now. Thanks everyone. He has well guy coming out tomorrow morning. I will be meeting him to see what he thinks. Want to have some knowledge when we have issues in future on ours. haha

arabian knight · #17 02/02/15, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by k9

If the pump is running it should build pressure. OP stated that the pump ran the whole time.

Not if something is broken in the Pump itself like the impeller like my was. The ran and ran Free Running you might say.
And being a submersible you could hear it at the well head. The number took off the pipe and started it back up and nothing was being pump to the surface.
Ask him if it soul be the bladder.
He told me the well I have has a buried pressure Tank, and not a bladder system. And that was not it anyways. the way it sounds and acts. Sure enough the impeller had just worn out and broke off. Pump running but no water was being forced up the pipe because of the broken impeller.

Bubbas Boys · #18 02/02/15, 07:57 PM

He said the tank had to be replace about 5 years ago. I am not sure what the symptoms were then.

k9 · #19 02/02/15, 07:58 PM

ak, agree that could cause the problem also.

1shotwade · #20 02/02/15, 08:02 PM

If you know the specs on the pump you can check the amperage draw to know if it's free running or actually turning the impeller before you have to pull it 300 feet.If it is pulling normal amperage I would think it would be more likely any leak would be between the pumphead and the house.
Just a thought

Wade