Water Pressure

rrr · 08-24-2010, 12:30 PM

Our house is about 50 years old. To the best of our knowledge, we are working on the original well and the original pump. The water pressure in the house leaves much to be desired. I've asked around and gotten answers from - 'all you need is a new pump' to 'a new pump's not going to help you, you probably need a new well' (at which point my husband says we can live with it).

So I'm turning to the experts... can anyone offer advice as to what we can do to increase our water pressure? Or point me in the right direction of who to contact? We are in Tuftonboro.

many thanks
rrr

wifi · 08-24-2010, 12:57 PM

Is the well drilled or dug? Is the pump in the well or above ground? Do you have a filter and has it been changed recently? If my water pressure takes a real hit, I know its time to change the filter

SIKSUKR · 08-24-2010, 01:26 PM

If you have a dug well you probably have a shallow well pump like myself.There are pressure adjustments on the pump.Mine is set a little low at around 50 psi but it is sufficient.If your pump has a pressure gauge see what it says.If it shows a descent pressure,check to see if your fixtures strainers are clogged.Most sink faucet strainers unscrew at the end of the spigot.If the pump is cycling on and off as soon as you call for water than your bladder in your tank has probably lost inflation and can either be pumped up with a bicycle pump or if its no good then a new tank is in order.

Formula · 08-24-2010, 04:04 PM

if you have water but little pressure it sounds like you need a presure tank (assuming you do not have one) and or updated pressure controls.
water supply and pressure are two seperate issues.
It depends on how much equipment you have in the house: dishwasher, waher, how many showers, etc will determin your PSI needs. The more the PSI for me the better. I would like to see a minimum of 45 psi (pump on) and a max of 60 psi (pump off)
Good luck

LIforrelaxin · 08-24-2010, 04:32 PM

Call Roth Well in Moultonborough..... They are a great company and do great work, My aunt had a system installed by them and they installed a tap off of it for us as well.... the did an excellent a very professional job.

Everyone here has pointed out the noted flaws you could have, not knowing how much you may or may not know about your system it is hard to help and the best thing to do is call someone in to evaluate it. I am fairly certain that Roth Well with do that for you. If it is a simple pressure issue, I wouldn't be surprised if you don't have a bladder tank or you have one that has out lived its useful life. If that is the case they would be able to fix you up very quickly. If not I am sure they will give you a complete evaluation and let you know your options.

Once your system has been evaluated and you know what you have it will make it easier to have other contractors bid on fixing the system, or coming to a forum like this to seek advice.

Irrigation Guy · 08-24-2010, 04:57 PM

Call Terry at Lakes Region Pump and Irrigation. 603-455-2419

He knows his stuff and won't charge you an arm and a leg.

Might be as simple as clogged fixtures, he will tell you your options for you to decide.

rrr · 08-25-2010, 07:00 AM

We have a drilled well and the pump is in the well. The filter generally gets changed twice a year (spring and fall). Thank you for the suggestions. We will make a couple of calls and see if we can get this fixed!

I knew I could count on the people here to point me in the right direction! Thank you all for your help.

08-24-2010, 12:30 PM	#1
rrr Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Winter Harbor Posts: 214 Thanks: 75 Thanked 37 Times in 14 Posts	Water Pressure Our house is about 50 years old. To the best of our knowledge, we are working on the original well and the original pump. The water pressure in the house leaves much to be desired. I've asked around and gotten answers from - 'all you need is a new pump' to 'a new pump's not going to help you, you probably need a new well' (at which point my husband says we can live with it). So I'm turning to the experts... can anyone offer advice as to what we can do to increase our water pressure? Or point me in the right direction of who to contact? We are in Tuftonboro. many thanks rrr

08-24-2010, 01:26 PM	#3
SIKSUKR Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 5,075 Thanks: 215 Thanked 903 Times in 509 Posts	If you have a dug well you probably have a shallow well pump like myself.There are pressure adjustments on the pump.Mine is set a little low at around 50 psi but it is sufficient.If your pump has a pressure gauge see what it says.If it shows a descent pressure,check to see if your fixtures strainers are clogged.Most sink faucet strainers unscrew at the end of the spigot.If the pump is cycling on and off as soon as you call for water than your bladder in your tank has probably lost inflation and can either be pumped up with a bicycle pump or if its no good then a new tank is in order. __________________ SIKSUKR

08-24-2010, 04:04 PM	#4
Formula Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 183 Thanks: 12 Thanked 28 Times in 16 Posts	pressure tank and controls if you have water but little pressure it sounds like you need a presure tank (assuming you do not have one) and or updated pressure controls. water supply and pressure are two seperate issues. It depends on how much equipment you have in the house: dishwasher, waher, how many showers, etc will determin your PSI needs. The more the PSI for me the better. I would like to see a minimum of 45 psi (pump on) and a max of 60 psi (pump off) Good luck

08-24-2010, 04:32 PM	#5
LIforrelaxin Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Texas, Lake Ray Hubbard and NH, Long Island Winnipesaukee Posts: 2,861 Thanks: 1,035 Thanked 892 Times in 524 Posts	Call Roth Well in Moultonborough..... They are a great company and do great work, My aunt had a system installed by them and they installed a tap off of it for us as well.... the did an excellent a very professional job. Everyone here has pointed out the noted flaws you could have, not knowing how much you may or may not know about your system it is hard to help and the best thing to do is call someone in to evaluate it. I am fairly certain that Roth Well with do that for you. If it is a simple pressure issue, I wouldn't be surprised if you don't have a bladder tank or you have one that has out lived its useful life. If that is the case they would be able to fix you up very quickly. If not I am sure they will give you a complete evaluation and let you know your options. Once your system has been evaluated and you know what you have it will make it easier to have other contractors bid on fixing the system, or coming to a forum like this to seek advice. __________________ Life is about how much time you can spend relaxing... I do it on an island that isn't really an island.....

08-24-2010, 04:57 PM	#6
Irrigation Guy Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Moultonborough, NH Posts: 484 Thanks: 89 Thanked 138 Times in 72 Posts	Lakes Region Pump & Irrigation Call Terry at Lakes Region Pump and Irrigation. 603-455-2419 He knows his stuff and won't charge you an arm and a leg. Might be as simple as clogged fixtures, he will tell you your options for you to decide.

08-24-2010, 12:57 PM	#2
wifi Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Lakes Region Posts: 1,321 Thanks: 282 Thanked 287 Times in 169 Posts	Is the well drilled or dug? Is the pump in the well or above ground? Do you have a filter and has it been changed recently? If my water pressure takes a real hit, I know its time to change the filter

08-25-2010, 07:00 AM	#7
rrr Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Winter Harbor Posts: 214 Thanks: 75 Thanked 37 Times in 14 Posts	thanks We have a drilled well and the pump is in the well. The filter generally gets changed twice a year (spring and fall). Thank you for the suggestions. We will make a couple of calls and see if we can get this fixed! I knew I could count on the people here to point me in the right direction! Thank you all for your help.