Low water pressure questions ( well system )

[meburdick]

Yep that 's the question I 've got to research . I think I read somewhere they can handle most types of pipe interchangeably . I could cut out valve and put on shark bit coupler on copper pipe. Put in a short piece of 3/4 pvc on other end of coupler . Put a reducer in the 1" and use the wobble room of pcv to glue the 3/4 into the 1" .

Boy when I read that it sounds confusing .

Call up a plumbing supply company and tell them you have a problem you need to solve. Explain about taking out the valve (say it's corroded and not operating correctly). See what they can recommend.

 

[sailorman]

Call up a plumbing supply company and tell them you have a problem you need to solve. Explain about taking out the valve (say it's corroded and not operating correctly). See what they can recommend.

Yep probably time to bite the money bullet and get the pros on it . The wife unit is talkin ' about cookin' nothin ' but hot dogs and such .

 

[tommu56]

I'd bet you have a worn impeller in your pump or the jet is worn (cant see from the pictures)

is there a model # on pump and manufacture? try googeling it.

I'd disconnect pipe on the discharge of the pump right there and run it to a bucket at that point no tank or any thing else. and see what the flow is no head and open pipe.

That will rule out any other plumbing problems.

 

[sdkubota]

To estimate the cylinder capacity, multiply its length in feet times the diameter, times the diameter again, divide by four, and multiply by 7.47 which will give you the gallon capacity. Make sure all your measurements are in feet like 1.25' or 2.5' etc without using inches.

The plumbing connections you are wondering about are called compression fittings and can work on any type of pipe although you need to tell them what type so it will fit correctly. They basically squeeze a rubber around the outside creating a seal and clamp onto the pipe to prevent it from blowing off like a hydraulic cylinder.

 

[meburdick]

I went back and looked at your photos again... The very first photo you posted appears to show an AVC (Air Volume Control - common on bladderless tanks that use Jet Pumps, and that's your configuration) on the side of the tank. Those wear, leak, and cause problems in many cases and can be the cause if you charge up your tank and then lose that charge pretty quickly.

Here's a link to a site that has a fantastic assortment of useful information for homeowners. This link in particular is all about water tanks, recharging them, and even some fixes for common issues. It also shows you where to find components like a schrader valve when one isn't actually part of the tank.

How to restore lost air in a building water pressure tank - private pump and well system do-it-yourself repairs

 

[Dr Dave]

First things first, you have a leaking valve, this is not the best valve to have installed as a shutoff, it restricts flow. Should have been a gate valve or best, would be a ball cock valve. This is an easy fix, cut the valve off, inspect the inside of your copper pipe for buildup, this will give you an idea of what the rest of the plumbing in the house is like. Install a new valve, get a ball cock valve, brass is best, PVC will work also, avoid the China valves. Adapt to the copper with a compression fitting, be sure to clean copper first. They do make a brass ball cock valve, with adapters for all pipe types, including solderless copper.
Most plumbing supply stores have a pressure guage, that screws to a hose bib fitting. Easy way to compare pressure at pump to pressure at washer hook ups. Good luck.

Dave

 

[sailorman]

I went back and looked at your photos again... The very first photo you posted appears to show an AVC (Air Volume Control - common on bladderless tanks that use Jet Pumps, and that's your configuration) on the side of the tank.

Yes I have AVC . That is on my list to replace . Went to homedepot and to my surprise they didn 't have any .
Good link ya sent . Thanks !

 

[sailorman]

First things first, you have a leaking valve, this is not the best valve to have installed as a shutoff, it restricts flow. Should have been a gate valve or best, would be a ball cock valve.

I agree . Went to HD today and bought sharkbite fittings ( not interested in relearning joint sweatin ' ). Got 1" to 3/4 " reducer to go from plastic pipe to copper . 3/4 " slip coupling . Short piece of copper pipe . I will cut out the valve and fill space with slip coupling . I probably will also install a PVC valve in the 1 " while I 'm at since I gotta cut it anyway . I also have a valve at the iron filter that can be used to cut water to it and the house . The valve newly installed valve on the 1 " could be used to cut water to house while still allowing it to get to the filter .

I know sharkbite makes a ball cock valve , but I want to avoid too many sharkbites until I verify they don ''t leak . Hope they work as good as I 've heard .

 

[meburdick]

I agree . Went to HD today and bought sharkbite fittings ( not interested in relearning joint sweatin ' ). Got 1" to 3/4 " reducer to go from plastic pipe to copper . 3/4 " slip coupling . Short piece of copper pipe . I will cut out the valve and fill space with slip coupling . I probably will also install a PVC valve in the 1 " while I 'm at since I gotta cut it anyway . I also have a valve at the iron filter that can be used to cut water to it and the house . The valve newly installed valve on the 1 " could be used to cut water to house while still allowing it to get to the filter .

I know sharkbite makes a ball cock valve , but I want to avoid too many sharkbites until I verify they don ''t leak . Hope they work as good as I 've heard .

Please do post up with your findings. I've used them in one application and had good luck so far. But, more input on them is never a bad thing.

 

[adjusterr]

I haven't read every post in this thread and maybe someone covered this but I had a low pressure problem with my well. I called my friendly plumber who instructed me to insure all spigots were off then put my ear against the top of the well pipe and tell him if I heard anything. I heard the pump running and a splashing sound. The plumber replaced the black plastic pipe in the well and installed some plastic discs to keep the pipe from flexing when the pump came on. The black plastic pipe had split causing the loss of water pressure. It's a cheap easy test.