This problem just started and I'm not sure what to do. I live in the country and have a drilled well. Usually the pump runs after a toilet flushes or the water is running for a shower, dishes, etc. Every ten minutes or so the pump cuts in for about a minute. I've checked that there are no dripping faucets and no leaky toilets. What should I do? The tank is the original one that came with the house and is 15 yrs. old. If there ever was a manual for the tank, it's not available. Is this a call to a plumber or a call to the company that drilled the well? I don't know who installs such tanks. Is this something I may be able to fix on my own?
Answer:
This sounds like the tank may be 'water logged' and that means turning the power off to it, draining as much of it as possible and then, by way of the bicyle valve that is on it, pumping the tank up to where it has at least 20 pounds of pressure. You can now turn the power back on and it will work up to 40 pounds before the motor shuts off. Two thirds of that tank is supposed to be water and one third air. Its certainly something you can do yourself.
