Bob wrote:
My well system has worked problem free for the past 11 years. It has a
submersible pump at 220' with a pressure switch of 30/50psi. When
full, the pipes hold the pressure without leakdown. But recently, the
instant the pump kicks on the pressure drops to 0 for a split second,
then back to 30 and rising. The 0 pressure is noticeable in a water
stream also, kind of like a burp.

My first thought was a check valve, but the water pressure is constant
when the pump is off. Unless the pump has it's own check valve? But
then everything happens so fast there's no time for the water column to
fall. The pressure tank precharge is ok. Any suggestions?

Bob S.

If your tank is not loosing pressure when not drawing water and your
precharge is correct - 28psi when the tank is empty, there is nothing
wrong there. If the pump is operating normally when it does start,
there is probably nothing wrong with it.

Having just been through the same thing with mine I traced it down to a
simple fix.

The 1/8" riser pipe to the pressure switch was blocked and it took a
bit before the switch sensed the pressure change. Pull the switch,
pull the pipe and ream it out. Odds are that is the problem. The
operation is not a major thing if you are comfortable with wiring. YOu
have to disconnect the wire(s) going to the switch. Be sure to note
the placement of the wires on the terminals. Other than that it is
just a matter of a small pipe wrench and possibly a drill bit to ream
the pipe with.

Harry K