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Small Cabin Forum / Off-Grid Living / Pressure Tank draining back to the well
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zorro
Member
# Posted: 22 Jul 2022 10:22
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Noticed this over the last few weeks

I have 2 pressure tanks linked to my well - well is around 410' deep and believe the pump sits around 130/140'

I was suspicious something was up and managed to test it at the weekend

When I went to bed, I filled both tanks and nothing else was running - in the morning, both tanks were empty

There are no leaks and all the pipes run under the camp, so fairly easy to check

So been doing some research and it looks as though it could be the well check valve that has gone faulty (only around 3 years old)

Had a look around the pressure tanks, but it clearly is not there

Are these normally at the well head or actually on/close to the pump itself?

Any way I can test this is the issue - and if it is the issue, do I need to pull the pump?

OR

Could I instal a new/separate well check valve up near the pressure tanks, effectively ignoring the existing valve which may have gone bad?

Fanman
Member
# Posted: 22 Jul 2022 10:57
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Yes, bad check valve. Probably at the pump, though I have no experience with deep well pumps. Adding another check valve before the tank should fix the problem.

Steve_S
Member
# Posted: 22 Jul 2022 13:50
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I run a Grundfos Deep Well pump, that itself does not have a Check Valve. Mine is located more or less at the Top of the Well Head (about 12" down if memory serves). When my Well Driller & Pump supplier set that all up, he gave me the choice of Brass or Stainless Check Valve. As I have "Sweet Water" with very low hardness I could have went either way, but for $20 (at the time) I chose Stainless for no troubles in the long term. Brass ones CAN collect minerals & "choke".

Different Installers do do it a few different ways and sadly you & your installer the only ones who can determine that. Let's hope Simple & Easy at Well head and NOT all the way down.

Hope it Helps, Good Luck.

Brettny
Member
# Posted: 22 Jul 2022 17:21
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I have a check valve right at my pressure tank T on the inlet side. The pump is about 100ft away. Typicaly the pump will have a built in check valve. I would put a valve in to isolate the pressure tank from the rest of the piping underground first. You could have a leak in a underground line too.

zorro
Member
# Posted: 22 Jul 2022 18:07 - Edited by: zorro
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Thanks guys

Brettny - a good point about an underground leak - won’t be for a few weeks as I will be away, but I will dig down to the main pipe from the well to the pressure tanks - not too big a job and really sandy

I will post up some pictures of my tank set up to get some opinions on where to put the check valve if possible - will post the pictures over the weekend

Thanks

toyota_mdt_tech
Member
# Posted: 22 Jul 2022 18:27
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Foot valve at the well pump leaking.

zorro
Member
# Posted: 22 Jul 2022 19:38 - Edited by: zorro
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Foot valve at well pump

Sorry, not sure what that is?

Is that connected to the pump or the well head or somewhere else?

zorro
Member
# Posted: 22 Jul 2022 19:42
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Ah ok

So that seems to be right down at the pump……….that would be a pain!

Irrigation Guy
Member
# Posted: 22 Jul 2022 20:18
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Could be a leak in the lateral line (buried line), leak in drop pipe (pipe that pump hangs on), or a bad check valve on the pump.

If it’s a bad check valve installing an additional check valve if you are less than 25’ to static water level will make you whole again. But if it is a leak in the pipe IH or if you are deeper than 25 you will really just masking the problem. The tank will hold pressure but the piping will drain back down the well or into the ground and you will get a shot of air and likely some water hammer.

The Grand Pooh Bah
Member
# Posted: 30 Jul 2022 12:37
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You could also have a leak in the well. Putting a check valve at the pressure tank will stop the tank from draining down, but it will not address the issue if you have a leak in the line between the pump and the tank. It is rare for the check at the pump to go out unless you are sucking sand, gravel or other debris. Would not just put a second check in the system without knowing the why you are loosing pressure.

zorro
Member
# Posted: 30 Jul 2022 13:42
Reply 


Hi

Thanks guys

Never got a chance to check anything last weekend

All I know is that there are no visible leaks - that does not rule out leaks undergrounds, in the line, etc

We are in a real sandy area, but generally, the water comes out sparkling clear with no visible sand

The pump is connected to my generator and only comes on when the generator comes on - historically, I would turn the generator on, the pump kicks in and fills the 2 tanks and they remain filled till they are used up

Now however, exactly the same as above, except the tanks drain back after a little while and clearly the pressure guage drops as a result

Both tanks are sitting around 41psi

This is a picture of my tank set up.............the water is condensation - as the well is so deep, the water is ice cold and it forms condensation on the tanks and pipes due to the extreme temp difference

So based on the comments, looks as though I really need to pull the pump, dig up the trench and have the pump, lines and valves checked

System is only around 3 years old
Well_Tank.jpg
Well_Tank.jpg


The Grand Pooh Bah
Member
# Posted: 31 Jul 2022 14:05
Reply 


Everything looks good at the pressure tank, assuming the inlet is on the right side.
Pull the cover off the top of the well head. Wait for the pump to shut off, after it reaches the set pressure. Listen for water spraying in the well casing. If no sound, that eliminates that section of piping above the water level.
If you ran 160+ PSI poly pipe from your pump to the pressure tank it is unlikely the actual pipe is leaking. Fitting connections or the check at the pump are more likely the issue.
I would check where the pipe comes into the pump house or structure and where the pipe leaves the well casing as the most likely locations for a leak. Also if there are any tees in the line for outside water. Yard Hydrants can leak underground without showing up on the surface is certain soil conditions. Once you have eliminated everything above the pump you can probably blame the check on the pump.

zorro
Member
# Posted: 31 Jul 2022 17:47
Reply 


Thanks is for this - some great ideas and suggestion to try

If nothing else, it will help Eliminate a few areas before I need to dig up the trench from the cabin to the well head

Not back up to the cabin till around 8/26 (unfortunately), but will definitely try out some of your suggestions

Thank you - really appreciated

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