Well question

[Bugsinrugs]

I figured to ask the brain trust about my well. Maybe I can get advice.
We are on a well which provides around 15 gallons a minute. Just recently the water pressure will recede to slightly more than a trickle for maybe ten seconds then increase back to a normal flow. I have a small pressure tank on the well head and a larger 80 gallon tank in the garage. Does anyone know how to test if these have gone bad?
Any advice is appreciated.

[flatbutt]

My pressure tank is charged with air to provide the pressure, maybe yours needs a re-charge?

[Rick V]

If the tank has the proper pressure in the bladder, check with a tire gauge at the scrader valve on the tank, I would suspect the pressure switch.

[pete3799]

Originally Posted by Rick V

If the tank has the proper pressure in the bladder, check with a tire gauge at the scrader valve on the tank, I would suspect the pressure switch.

This

[yetibone]

Either the pump switch is out of tolerance, or the surge tank has a hole in the air bladder and got waterlogged.

[Bugsinrugs]

Would letting air out of the scrader valve let me know if the bladder is water logged?
Thanks

[Bugsinrugs]

Ok.....it was the pressure switch and a bad pressure tank on the well head. My pressure gauge was bad also. When I removed the gauge it was stuck at 40 lbs. That would explain why it was reading 90lbs when the pump was running.
Thanks again to those that responded.

[wdfifteen]

Sounds like you were hit with a perfect storm of failures. Good job figuring it out!

[cstreit]

Just for future ref... Sometimes the pilot pipe to the pressure switch gets all goo'ed up with sediment and then works very slowly. The pressure in the system will get much lower before the system registers it....

[Bugsinrugs]

Originally Posted by cstreit

Just for future ref... Sometimes the pilot pipe to the pressure switch gets all goo'ed up with sediment and then works very slowly. The pressure in the system will get much lower before the system registers it....

Yes,I replaced the 1/4 inch pipe,gauge and switch. They all had sediment. Twenty years of good service. I don't think the new switch is going to last as long.....it's from China.

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by Bugsinrugs

Yes,I replaced the 1/4 inch pipe,gauge and switch. They all had sediment. Twenty years of good service. I don't think the new switch is going to last as long.....it's from China.

Start looking for a quality replacement now and order it. That way when the Chinese crap one dies you will be ready.

[Bugsinrugs]

Quote de Bugsinrugs

Yes,I replaced the 1/4 inch pipe,gauge and switch. They all had sediment. Twenty years of good service. I don't think the new switch is going to last as long.....it's from China.

Start looking for a quality replacement now and order it. That way when the Chinese crap one dies you will be ready.

Good advice. Will do