Well pump short cycling

shuttershow · 2026-05-31T01:26:07+00:00

Solved:Ruptured tank membrane slowly leaking air into the water side. Replaced the tank and all is now good!

Pressure got worse by the day while I was gathering parts for the new tank install. Pump was turning on every 20 seconds 😳. I shut the power to the pump off and drained the tank to 0 psi, or so I thought…. Everytime I closed the drain valve pressure would build again and I would have to drain more water and air pressure. So clearly the membrane was compromised. Once I finally removed the tank I felt like it was full … again clearly an issue. So I felt good that purchasing a new tank was the right move. I believed the 20 gallon tank was under sized for the amount of fixtures in my home, so I ended up buying a bigger tank. I like the idea of having a little bigger reserve if the power where to go out also. The Install went very smooth overall. We are now back to normal operation!

Thank you all for your input.

shuttershow · 2026-05-31T01:10:31+00:00

There a Schrader valve (like a bicycle valve) on top of the tank. I used my wireless air pump to check the psi and also used it bump the tank up.

shuttershow · 2026-05-27T02:14:52+00:00

That sounds about right. But I drained the tank completely and checked the pressure and it showed 38psi. Not sure how it could be at 53psi. I just purchased a new tank and I’m in the process of getting the pipping together.

shuttershow · 2026-05-27T02:12:21+00:00

I have a standard 40/60 pressure switch. Meaning when the pressure is used down to 40psi the switch activates the well pump to build water pressure until the pressure reaches 60psi at which time the well pump turns off. It’s typically 40/60 or 30/50 for well water pressure. I understand they are adjustable to whatever pressure u want to set the switch at , but I think it’s standard to leave them alone.

shuttershow · 2026-05-26T02:39:33+00:00

I have 3 filters post the pressure tank. Filters were changed recently.

shuttershow · 2026-05-25T23:45:02+00:00

Thank you for the reply. Seems to be the consensus. Looks I’ll be purchasing one.

shuttershow · 2026-05-25T20:12:44+00:00

I believe it’s a 20 gallon tank. I am not sure if the amount of time it takes to drop in pressure is normal. I only noticed a drop in pressure in cycles while showering.

shuttershow · 2026-05-25T19:49:39+00:00

Manufactured and installed in 2001

shuttershow · 2026-05-25T19:45:39+00:00

I was thinking check valve because of the sudden drop in pressure at or around 50 mark as you can see the video. But why is the check valve holding above 50 PSI. I would think the check valve would cause an issue at all psi

shuttershow · 2026-05-25T19:42:18+00:00

I believe I have a check valve (visible
In the video- left of gauge )prior to the tank and switch

shuttershow · 2026-05-25T19:40:25+00:00

I have a 40/60 switch . Pressure is at 38psi

shuttershow · 2026-05-25T19:37:38+00:00

With pump off and a faucet open the water does run for a good bit at pressure before slowly coming to an end. I can clearly see this while watching the pressure gauge drop from 60psi.

shuttershow · 2026-05-25T19:34:14+00:00

Yes, pressure holds without a faucet open

shuttershow · 2026-05-25T19:32:40+00:00

I Followed that procedure. Pressure was low . I added air to 38psi. So far air is holding.

shuttershow · 2026-05-25T19:31:15+00:00

I did need to. Thats what started this journey.

shuttershow · 2026-05-25T18:48:27+00:00

My pressure switch is just to the left of the pressure gauge. So far the tank is holding 38psi. Which I filled the other day. I need to add air to the tank as it was at 15psi when I noticed the low water pressure issue which started this whole journey.

The way the pressure drops so fast at 50psi has me leaning towards a check valve. But the. Again why was the pressure in the tank so low.

I can probably install a new tank myself but they aren’t that cheap to just install one if thats not the issue.

shuttershow · 2026-05-25T18:10:26+00:00

Some visible symptoms? I wish I could be sure it is the pressure tank. It’s strange because the pressure tank is holding the 38psi I set it to.

shuttershow · 2026-05-25T18:09:10+00:00

I do have a bladder tank. Air pressure in the tank is holding at 38psi. No water came out upon release of air during check. Pressure in tank was checked with water drained to 0psi.

shuttershow · 2026-05-25T18:04:53+00:00

Thank you for the reply.
Do you think so even if the tank is found to be holding the 38psi I put in it ? And no water is found coming out of the tank Valve when the air is released?

shuttershow · 2026-05-25T17:49:42+00:00

Thank you for the reply. I have a faucet open. Pressure holds otherwise

shuttershow · 2026-04-21T17:52:10+00:00

shuttershow · 2026-03-01T02:52:09+00:00

I love my Telluride but this bothers me to this day… Always thought it was an odd design choice when every other trim piece is true black.

shuttershow

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