Water pressure issues

[ChunksterK]

For about a week now our water pressure has fallen to almiost a dribble for the last stretch before the pump kicks in.  As far as we can tell, the pump is kicking in and out at about the same pressure levels as before according to a guage on the main line.  Once the pump has cycled, the pressure seems fine until late in the cycle.  FWIW, we had a new catchment tank and pump installed last May.  The guy who installed the pump is out of the country, so I can't call him.  Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated because Frau Chunkster says she's going to make me start washing all the dishes if I don't get it fixed.

[HiloJulie]

I would suspect the pressure tank, assuming you have one, could be low on pressure. The pressure tank SHOULD be 2 PSI lower than the lowest "cut in" pressure setting of your pump. So, if your pump cuts in at 40PSI and off at 60PSI, your pressure tank should be at 38PSI.

The second thing I'd check is maybe a plugged filter? We went thru this one time after our new catchment tank was installed. Apparently, they went a bit heavy on the PVC glue as the filter media was more or less coated with the left-over glue, after a few weeks of operation, but since you said that was last May, I am assuming you have changed the filter since then.

I'd also suggest the pressure switch itself, but since you're saying the pressure gauge is showing the same numbers as before, I'd check that pressure tank first!

Good luck - and keep us posted!

[kalianna]

If you want to call someone you can call Michaelʻs Repair. in addition to fixing appliances he replaced our old water pump last year and could probably diagnose whatʻs wrong. Heʻs very inexpensive but quite competent.

[ChunksterK]

Thanks for the replies. I will check the tank pressure in daylight tomorrow, and keep Michael in mind. He fixed our fridge a few years ago and was great. Any other suggestions for self repair would also be welcome.

[HiloJulie]

I'm sure you know this ChunksterK, but when you check the pressure in the pressure tank, you should turn the power to the pump off and run water at a faucet until you completely run off all pressure in the lines - to the point that if the pump HAD power, it would run.

Then, check the pressure tank pressure!

Fingers crossed it's an easy fix!

ETA: If you have an ELECTRIC hot water heater, turn the power off to that too when draining pressure from the water lines.

[ChunksterK]

Well, the likely problem was a bit of a surprise. The ballast tank pressure was within suggested parameters, so I looked at the filters even though we had changed them a little over two weeks ago. Upon examining the filters, they didn't look especially dirty, but I changed them again anyway. Upon repressurizing the system and, you guessed it, doing the dishes as well as a load of laundry, the system seems back to normal. I think we may have had a defective filter, something I've never heard of before. Thanks again to Julie and kalianna for their helpful comments.

[HereOnThePrimalEdge]

I think we may have had a defective filter, something I've never heard of before.

I had several filters that collapsed on themselves, reducing water pressure but not to the extent that you experienced Chunkster. This was about six months ago, I replaced them and about 2 weeks later the new filters collapsed again. Never was sure if it was the filter or sediment clogging. Someone suggested a series of earthquakes around that time shook fine particles loose in the water table. Couldn’t prove or disprove by looking at the filter.

I’ve bought filters from the water catchment guy on 33rd Ave in HPP since then, and they’ve all lasted normally, no collapsing on themselves.

[ChunksterK]

HOTPE, these did not collapse on themselves, and we bought them from the place on 33rd. Considering that we have bought hundreds of these things over the years, a single failure is entirely forgivable. And thanks for sharing your experience. That's what Punaweb is supposed to be all about.