Low water pressure when submersible well pump kicks on!!

[alfish]

The problem I am having is very low water pressure when the pump kicks on. My pressure switch is 20 on and 40 off on a bladder style reserve tank. I drained the reserve tank and checked for a burst bladder by checking air pressure in empty tank, the tank seems to be fine. By watching the water pressure gauge,(nearly new) near the pressure switch, I found that it takes about 8 to 10 minutes from the time the pump kicks on at 20 psi to reach the cut off pressure of 40 psi. In that time the water pressure is very low. While running water during that time the stream remains steady but slow with no air pockets or bubbles. One other thing that might matter is when the pump starts the lights bump or dim for just a split second(not sure if I noticed this before). The well is 25 ft deep and 60 ft from the reserve tank. I am not sure on pump make or hp. it is 220v. It is about 15 years old. Is the pump taking a dump? Is there a electrical problem? Are there screens at the pump that can get plugged? Can a bad control box cause this problem? Leaking pipe? Low well water level or recovery? With the well only 25ft deep and the pump set at 21ft I think I could handle pulling it with just little help. But once it is up Im not sure what to look for or how to tell the pump is going bad Any suggestions would be appreciated! I have water but the way the pump is running who knows for how long!

[Duane Bozarth]

Also if you do install or have a new pump installed, write down the current draw on each leg for reference as well.

One other indication of pump condition now could be to check current draw on each leg--if one's out of balance, that's a sign of incipient failure, too.

[Edwin Pawlowski]

Dimming lights is a clue that the motor is taking more juice to start. This could be the motor or pump bearings starting to go. the long run time indicates it is not putting out full volume.

There may be other factors, but unless you can change it yourself, get a pro out there to take a look. Figure cost of pump plus a couple hours labor.

One more thing not just for you, but for any one with a well. Note the time it takes to get to pressure. Write it down and stick it on the control panel or tank. If you have problems down the road, you have an indication of how well it worked before.