Wells, Sump Pumps and Septic Sewage Systems - Submersible pump, air in system, why?

Hi all. I have had very good luck solving problems with this site so I hope you can help with this one. I have a submersable water well pump and a new bladder type storage tank. I used to only stay at this cabin on weekends and worried about a water line letting loose while I was away, I always cut the power to the pump when I left. When I would come back I would turn on the power so I would have water. When I would open a faucet I would get water and occasionally a sputter of air. After the air popps some dirt or black crap would come out and some seconds later the water would run clear. I assume the air pops loosened dirt in the water system then it would rinse out. I also thought the air was getting in from me shutting off the system through the week. I trust the pipes now so I decided to leave the power to the pump on all the time. I felt the air would pop out of the faucets and be gone since I don't shut off the pump. Well it has been a month now and I still get air. Any guesses how this may happen? Is there any danger to it? Thank you in advance for any thoughts!!

Since you have a bladder tank, I would say you have a bad check valve in the well.

You say NEW bladder tank, Was your old tank a bladder type?
If you old tank was not a bladder tank. there is going to be a bleeder down in the well, witch will not work and will need to be plugged if you are using a bladder type tank.

If you old tank was a bladder tank.
I don't think there is a hole in the drop pipe, if there was you would be getting air most all the time.

When the are got for long periods of time, it has time for the water to leak back down.


Travis

Hi Travis thanks for your response. The storage tank I replaced was not a bladder type. My well is in a pit and I saw the tank valve in the line but I thought it was to put air in the old non-bladder tank. Is that the part you call a bleeder or should I be looking for something else? The pipe from the pump to the top of the well is new (2007) and plastic. I can see all of the pipe fittings check valve etc. in the pit, in fact that is where the storage tank is also. If you can give a brief description I should be able to find the bleeder.

Mark X

The part the looks like a valve-stem for a car that you can see, is for breaking the vacuum on the top joint of pipe,or if it pvc or black plastic, the bleeder should be down in the well about 20 feet on the drop pipe.

If you remove the valve stem, and plug the hole, it may help a little, but I don't think it will stop your air problem.

To do it correctly, the pipe should be pulled out of the well, and the bleeder removed and plugged.

You well system was setup for a pneumatic tank, not a bladder tank.

If your going to use a bladder tank, the valve stem you can see, and the bleeder in the well, will need to be plugged to work properly.


This could be the bleeder you have. They come in rubber and brass. (http://www.plumbingsupply.com/images/well-part-plastic-air-bleeder.jpg)


This is the schrader valve/sniffer. The thing that looks like a valve stem from a car. (http://blog.scurker.com/images/schrader.jpg)

Both will need to be plugged.


Travis

Thanks Travis. I know where the schrader/sniffer valve (we called them tank valves) is. Perhaps I should just pull it and replace it with a 1/4 inch plug for now. Then when I have the time and help to pull the pump up replace the bleeder. Do you have any feel for what size plug I will need for the bleeder?

Mark X

The bleeder will be 3/4"brass or 1"rubber.

I spoke with the guy that replaced the pump (and pipe). I still had a non-bladder tank when the work was done and he did put a bleeder in. The bleeder is a 1" and it is about 10' down. I removed and plugged the tank valve. I will pull the bleeder and plug it when my son is able to come out and help me lift the pump up. Thanks so much for your help Travis!