I'm on a well & septic system that has been serving us well since its
installtion. I'm curious about a recent anomoly that has me concerned that
something may be about to quit.

The problem was (is?) air in the pipes. In every faucet, including toilet
tanks, we experienced a few days where we'd occasionally get that familiar
explosion of air & water when we'd turn on the faucet. In recent days, the
problem appears to have diminished (SWMBO hasn't complained about it.)
What may have caused that? There was no water discoloration, and the water
pressure seems fine otherwise and has been fine since. FWIW, the
submersible pump is about 8-10 years old and the pressure tank is closer to
17.

As a descriptor of the effect, it was similar to what happens when the water
has been turned off for a while for a repair, then turned back on. That
little spray as air clears the pipe is what we experienced.

It's almost as though the well may have gotten low & the pump sent air into
the system, but it's certainly not been drought conditions here
(mid-Atlantic), and we've always seemed to be on a good aquifer, even in
very dry spells. Is there anything about an aging pressure tank that could
result in this sort of symptom?

IMO, either the pump sucked in some air or the foot valve isn't
doing its job, or the tank bladder is rupturing and letting air
into the water.
IF it's the tank bladder, you'll soon see short and frequent
activity of the pump as it tries to work without the blader to
take up the pressure/air space.
If the foot valve isn't doing it's job, there could be lots of
places letting air in as the pressure reverses and sucks instead
of pushing.
If it's a submersible pump this wouldn't apply, but if the
pump's on top of the well, it could also be a leak in the pipe
between the foot valve and the pump, letting air in. Split pipe,
bad union, etc.; lots of possibilities. If it's a submerged
pump, that wouldn't be a problem. This could come and go with
the ground-water level too, depending on what it's doing at any
given time.

I'm assuming it's both cold and hot water, mostly the cold, where
you see this, right? If it's just the hot, then there are a few
other possibilities but your descrip sounds like it's not just
the hot.

HTH,
Pop



"rb608" wrote in message
news:5HaVf.1786$VL2.1692@trnddc04...
I'm on a well & septic system that has been serving us well
since its installtion. I'm curious about a recent anomoly that
has me concerned that something may be about to quit.

The problem was (is?) air in the pipes. In every faucet,
including toilet tanks, we experienced a few days where we'd
occasionally get that familiar explosion of air & water when
we'd turn on the faucet. In recent days, the problem appears
to have diminished (SWMBO hasn't complained about it.) What may
have caused that? There was no water discoloration, and the
water pressure seems fine otherwise and has been fine since.
FWIW, the submersible pump is about 8-10 years old and the
pressure tank is closer to 17.

As a descriptor of the effect, it was similar to what happens
when the water has been turned off for a while for a repair,
then turned back on. That little spray as air clears the pipe
is what we experienced.

It's almost as though the well may have gotten low & the pump
sent air into the system, but it's certainly not been drought
conditions here (mid-Atlantic), and we've always seemed to be
on a good aquifer, even in very dry spells. Is there anything
about an aging pressure tank that could result in this sort of
symptom?

"Pop" wrote in message
I'm assuming it's both cold and hot water, mostly the cold, where you see
this, right? If it's just the hot, then there are a few other
possibilities but your descrip sounds like it's not just the hot.

I can hear the bubbling noise when the toilet tank refills, so it has to be
at least the cold. It's happened to SWMBO in the shower, & she usually
turns on the hot first, so I'm guessing it's both.

JF

if the pump is a goulds that is that age we have noticed the impellers
will come apart and a small chunk will get caught in the check valve.
when the pump cycles off it will allow air to enter around the o-ring
at the pitless adapter. this could happen only if there is a check
valve installed on the well side of the tank tee. have you noticed your
cold water getting warm or low pressure latley? what area are you in?
state? if you are in maryland get me the tag# off of the well and i can
look it up for you.thanks scott

jacuzzi pumps are ok it may just be a bladder problem in the tank. have
you noticed the water surging in the shower ie; strong then soft then
strong then soft. you can call me at 1-800-935-5654 24 hrs ask for scott