• Registered: 2016-01-09
  • Posts: 4

Topic: New pressure tank, then new well pump...and now, not much pressure.

Hi, and thanks for this forum!
We had an issue with our pressure tank, and replaced it about 6 months ago. We put in a ProFlo PF-44, apparently from Ferguson with a 5 year warranty. My plumber friend that put it in for a fair price is now in jail...but Ferguson has agreed to replace it if I bring it to them. The tank worked fine for 6 months, then the pump went kaput.
Called in another well company and they replaced the pump, but not the pipe nor the electric, which I read everywhere should probably have been done. the pipe was black and flexible, approx. 200 feet. and apparently, there was no backflow preventer. A new backflow preventer was installed
The pressure is way lower than it used to be, although the pump pumps pressure on the gauge up to 62 psi. The pump seems to switch on around 22 psi. I emptied the tank totally until air was being sucked into the faucet in the lowest bathroom sink. I checked the pressure in the tank empty, and it said 36.5, very close to the factory pressure of 38. I lowered the tank pressure to 28, turned the pump back on, and got all the air out of the system. We have great pressure for 10 seconds, which is a bit of an improvement, but if we flush or have any other faucet going, no real pressure.
My working theory is without the back flow preventer on the system, when the pump died, the water rushing back 200 feet down ruined the tank's bladder somehow, someway, and the culprit should be to replace the pressure tank.
As an aside, we also had a fiberglass, automatic water acid neutralizer on the system. That fiberglass tank was sucked together by the negative water pressure from 6" diameter to zero inches. When we got the pump replaced, the tank snapped back. However, I am presently by-passing this as the fiberglass tank leaks a bit now.
Suggestions are welcome....

  • From: Riverview, Fl.
  • Registered: 2012-06-18
  • Posts: 56

Re: New pressure tank, then new well pump...and now, not much pressure.

Speedbump's Website

  • Registered: 2016-01-09
  • Posts: 4

Re: New pressure tank, then new well pump...and now, not much pressure.

yes, exactly what I have been learning. I turned off the pump, drained the pipes, drained the tank with a hose, and then let the air out down to 15 psi. Bumped the tank up to 28, refilled and tested everything (I do not know where the pressure switch is set...it seemed to turn on around 30). This made everything worse...but no worries, I was not giving up. Drained everything, bumped air pressure up to 38, and this seemed very good, save with the tank totally filled and pressurized, the tank pressure was only hitting 55 or so.

  • Registered: 2016-01-09
  • Posts: 4

Re: New pressure tank, then new well pump...and now, not much pressure.

Shooting for 60, I pumped 5 more psi into the tank to hit 60, and waited this time for the well to recharge totally, a full half an hour to be. (Earlier, in my excitement, when I turned the pump back on, I only gave it 5 minutes to recharge.) This seems to be the right track, as I finally had a superior shower. However, I plan on redoing everything right one more time and next week replacing the pressure switch and drain...the drain is an old fashioned hose bib...and I know they fail sooner or later. Thanks again for all your help, and the link you posted, very informative! I just hope it doesn't blow up! LOL