Water pressure pump constantly turning on

longyjohny

Hi

I have a baffling plumbing problem that I cant fix!

My water pressure pump is turning on every 15-20 mins, for about 10 seconds each time.

Water pressure seems to be dropping all the time.  This happens even at night, when everyone asleep

But iv got no leak in the house. No toilets or taps or showers dripping.  No water stains anywhere.

The pressure pump is out in the shed.

I was told to check the pipes / connections coming out of the shed, and when doing so (digging up the footpath around the shed), I punctured one of the pipes to the house. The thing is , when I eventually got this fixed  - replacing the punctured pipe back to nearest existing joint– the problem sorted itself!! I assumed that I must have got lucky, in that the joint I replaced must have been where the leak was.

 Happy days for about 2 weeks – problem sorted.  Until now, again, the same thing has started happening??!!!

Would it be something to do with the pump?  The pressure is dropping somehow – but no leak anywhere.

Still need to check the underground pipe run from shed to house, but want to leave as last resort!

blackbox

Is there a non-return valve in the pump that could be passing back to the low pressure side?

Water John

Is there a pressure vessel/small tank? The air pressure could be gone out of that or the tank full of water.

denismc

Is there a ballast tank in the with the pump? If so this may need to be repressurised, also there is a pressure sensitive switch which causes the pump to kick in, this maybe faulty.

TBH it is going to be hard to diagnose this via the Internet, you need to get a plumber out to check your system.

longyjohny

..

longyjohny

No the pressures in the tank seem fine. But wud that cuase my problem?

longyjohny

I dont know. So like a valve leaking then?

denismc

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122541300#Comment_122541300

There's a bladder in that cylinder that has a set pressure, if it's below that pressure then any pressure drop in the system may cause the pump to kick in more often.

When you say it's fine have you checked the actual pressure in the cylinder?

The correct pressure setting should be on a label on the cylinder.

Again this is very hard to diagnose online, a plumber or pump installer is what you need.

Water John

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122541463#Comment_122541463

The pump would need to be switched off and the water left run, before checking the air pressure.

Furze99

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122541463#Comment_122541463

That'd be my guess too. This happens after a time with such pressure tanks, every now & then I have to drain ours and pump the bladder up. Best get a water pump installer to show you how and write it down. For rural areas, this is best bet rather than dragging them out for a simple enough fix.

longyjohny

Ill check the air pressure correctly so. Wit the pump off and taps on , yea? Think its 3 bar is needed. See photos attached of the system

20240826_080337.jpg

20240826_080303.jpg

longyjohny

HI

Still no joy with this.

all pressure tanks OK.

No leaks in house.

Any other suggestions?!