pump runs every 20 minutes when no water being used

[waterpressure]

Our pump has started running when no water is being used in the house. We've checked for leaky faucets etc.... none. When the pump runs pressure will go up to 50 psi, the pump shuts off and then quickly pressure goes down to 40 psi. It then slowly declines to 30 and the pump comes back on (running for only 30 seconds or so). The cycle repeats every 20 minutes if no water is used. We turned the pump off for a few hours yesterday, closing off the flow to the house and the pump did not lose its prime. We're thinking it may be a clogged / faulty foot valve that's allowing water to flow back into the well. Any ideas?
If it's the foot valve, how hard is it to replace? Thanks.

[joed]

You have a leak somewhere. Is there a shutoff valve at the input to the pressure tank? Turn off the pump and shut off the valve. If the pressure stays then the leak is on the pump side of the valve.

[Gary Slusser]

I think joed meant 'outlet' from the pressure tank. There should never be a valve between a pump and its pressure switch which is uaully on a jet pump or on the pressure tank tee for a submersible pump. If shutting off the water to the house after the tank the pressure holds, the leak is on the well side of the system. Your description seems to say the foot or check valve is leaking back into the well but it could be any leak anywhere.

Gary
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Company Name Removed Only
Doug Aleshire, Super Moderator 2

[joed]

No I meant the input. I have seen them there to allow the pump to be removed without depressuring the tank. That is why I specifically said to turn off the pump.
Turning off the output would do the same thing unless the tank was leaking but you should see that.

[hvac01453]

a check valve migh delay your having to replace the pump if the seals/valves are shot. A check valve would maintain the line pressure till you can scratch up the cash for a new pump. But even still , If I had to haul up that plastic pipe to install a check valve, I wouldn't bother... I'd just replace the pump. This is supposing there isn't a break in the line between the well pipe and the house. Then again, you might just have a hole in the well plastic pipe, so test that first before you throw up the cash for a new pump...The pump might just be dirty....who knows... :rolleyes:

[nomind]

A dirty or even mediocre pump won't cause this problem. I'm betting with Gary's guess of a leak down the suction side. I regularly see more leaks in the well than anywhere else. Could be a split in the pipe, loose joint at the top elbow, or corroded or weak foot valve. :cool:

[Gary Slusser]

Sorry joed. Depressurizing a pressure tank is at best a few minutes and very simple/easy to do and IMO not worth the expense and time it takes to install a valve to prevent doing so. Draining a tank once a year and checking the air pressure is a great way to extend the like of pressure tanks. I've seen probably a thousand jet pumps in my day and here, we don't install a valve like that. This is the first I've heard of anyone doing it; is it plumbers drillers or pump guys that do that there?

Gary
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Company Name Removed Only
Doug Aleshire, Super Moderator 2

[nomind]

It ain't done by competent well guys out here.
A valve (other than checkvalve) between the pump and tank is strictly a no-no. :cool: