I have honestly read all the posts that seem to pertain, but still have some questions.

I have have a 405' well that was drilled in 1994. The wellhouse is approximately 30' below my home in elevation and about 100' in distance. I have a submersible pump at 385', a 30/50 pressure switch, and a diaphram type pressure tank. The pressure guage in the well house was inoperable until today. The water pressure has been great since we bought the house in 1997.

A few months ago I began noticing a slight decrease in water pressure. I can find no damp or wet areas along the supply line. The best description I can provide for the problem as it exists now is "intermittent very low pressure".

Today, after reading some very informative posts, I cleaned the sediment filter under the house and all the faucet screens. Next, I replaced 30/50 pressuse switch and the pressure guage. I also cleaned out the galvanized pipe that the switch and guage are mounted on, there was more corrosion than I suspected. I then completely drained and vented the pressure tank. Finally, I charged the empty pressure tank back up to 28psi and turned the circuit breaker back on. The pump began to run and the pressure tank filled. When the pump switched off, I used a pressure guage to check the pressure in the tank it was about 52psi. It appeared everything was working normally.

When I checked the pressure in the house, initially it appeared much improved. However, it decreased rapidly. I went to the wellhouse and noticed that the pump does not kick on immediately when the pressure switch engages at about 32psi. Is this normal? Could the pressure switch still need adjustment?

Due to the posts I read, I am starting to suspect the pump; which I suspect I can not afford. I am considering pulling the pump for a look, but maybe I am missing something. Should I try to pull the pump? What would I be looking for? Is it time to call a plumber?

A friend who considers himself "handy" believes that since the submersible pump is at a depth of 385'; the wellpipe is probably galvanized, which would make the pump difficult to pull. I have not had the well cover off to verify, but he states that in North Carolina the state prohibits PVC for pumps deeper than 250'. Does this sound right? I thought galvanized was only found in older houses. Wouldn't galvanized pipe make the entire assembly really heavy? Could the pipe be clogged?

Please, I need help and a decent shower. Any suggestions?

Yours truly,

Ray Crawford

-- Ray Crawford (itstysworld@aol.com), April 24, 2002

Answers

A good elecrician could read the voltage pull on the pump wiring and give you a better opinion on your pump. I doubt very seriously if the water line is galvanized. I suspect it is Black 1 1/4 flexible plastic. I think you'll need 5 or 6 healthy men to pull a line of that depth and plenty of room to lay what comes out. Flexible black pipe ain't really all that flexible.

If it were me, I would disconnect the water line somewhere near the well and hit the pump and see if it gave me a full pipe stream of at least a foot in the air. If got that than I would be looking for a break in the line to the house. I would look at many things first before I pulled that line !! Like a waterlogged pressure tank ? A watersaver shower head--throw those things in the garbage--they are all junk. Pumps ? If it comes to that ? Are worth exactly what you pay for them !! Buy an expensive, stainless steel, 20 year warranty pump. Even if you cannot afford it. Borrow, Beg, Steal--do anything it takes to avoid a repeat performance ! Best of Luck to you

-- Joel Rosen (JoelnBecky@webtv.net), April 24, 2002.

I would think if your pump is the problem it would show up by watching your gauge. If it drops below the setting for kick on the problem is at the well house. But if you have 30 psi or more all the time, there is no question it's operating proper. 30 psi is 30 psi. Then I would look toward the house. I know of one person who had a line plugged almost all the way closed by a brown mass that looked like hair roots. It was somethng that grew in water with no light or outside air. Strange but true. I was there when they pulled it out of the pipe. Don

-- Don (dairyagri@yahoo.com), April 26, 2002.