Having trouble finding a plumber to help...

[hilltopper]

Meredith, NH...

I'm having a heck of a time finding a plumber who will respond or maybe even respond without saying they're two months out.

We have air in our water lines. My guess is it's a bad backflow valve between the pressure tank and the well pump or a waterlogged pressure tank. No idea, which is why I'm looking for help.

I'm hoping for someone out there who has had to remedy/fix a similar issue or someone who has a reliable plumber to contact in the Meredith area who would diagnose and help fix this issue.

[DesertDweller]

We use Minute Man Plumbing. He (Phil) is based in Meredith. I know he is still doing dewinterizations of houses but he might be able to fit you in. He's always done right by us.

[Biggd]

Originally Posted by hilltopper

Meredith, NH...

I'm having a heck of a time finding a plumber who will respond or maybe even respond without saying they're two months out.

We have air in our water lines. My guess is it's a bad backflow valve between the pressure tank and the well pump or a waterlogged pressure tank. No idea, which is why I'm looking for help.

I'm hoping for someone out there who has had to remedy/fix a similar issue or someone who has a reliable plumber to contact in the Meredith area who would diagnose and help fix this issue.

Your pressure tank may be low on air. It probably needs replacing but it's easy to check. There is an air valve on top, you can check it with a tire gauge.
It should have about 35psi. It may be something else, but I remember this happening to me, and I kept filling it until I could replace it.
It could also be the check valve that keeps the water from draining back down when the pump shuts off, not as easy to check.

[Charlie T]

It sounds like you need a Well company, many plumbers unfortunately don't have a clue when it comes to properly setting up well systems with pressure tanks. I'm in Gilford and several years ago when I needed a new pump, we called James Gray Wells and got next day service. I had another issue a few years later and again got quick and friendly service. Give them a call 603-524-0456

[Biggd]

Originally Posted by Charlie T

It sounds like you need a Well company, many plumbers unfortunately don't have a clue when it comes to properly setting up well systems with pressure tanks. I'm in Gilford and several years ago when I needed a new pump, we called James Gray Wells and got next day service. I had another issue a few years later and again got quick and friendly service. Give them a call 603-524-0456

I second Grays Wells, great guy and responds fairly quickly!

[hilltopper]

Originally Posted by Charlie T

It sounds like you need a Well company, many plumbers unfortunately don't have a clue when it comes to properly setting up well systems with pressure tanks. I'm in Gilford and several years ago when I needed a new pump, we called James Gray Wells and got next day service. I had another issue a few years later and again got quick and friendly service. Give them a call 603-524-0456

Charlie T, that's a great suggestion that never crossed my mind (well system folks vs. a general plumber). I will give them a call.

Biggd, if I'm to believe the valve on my pressure tank, I'm at 45PSI and I've read between 40PSI and 60PSI is normal.

DesertDweller, I've used Minute Man in the past including a "large" job in replacing my indirect water heater. They were great but it almost seems like their business these days is winterizing/de-winterizing seasonal homes. I thought I was on their "list" after winterizing last fall but never got a call-back and didn't feel like having to "harass" them with phone calls.

[Biggd]

Originally Posted by hilltopper

Charlie T, that's a great suggestion that never crossed my mind (well system folks vs. a general plumber). I will give them a call.

Biggd, if I'm to believe the valve on my pressure tank, I'm at 45PSI and I've read between 40PSI and 60PSI is normal.

DesertDweller, I've used Minute Man in the past including a "large" job in replacing my indirect water heater. They were great but it almost seems like their business these days is winterizing/de-winterizing seasonal homes. I thought I was on their "list" after winterizing last fall but never got a call-back and didn't feel like having to "harass" them with phone calls.

Plenty of pressure, call Grays Wells. I had a problem with my water last July and he came out within a few days and took care of it but told me I should think about changing my pump since it's 40 years old.
I already have a new pressure tank, the well pump is next on the list.

[Charlie T]

Originally Posted by Biggd

Plenty of pressure, call Grays Wells. I had a problem with my water last July and he came out within a few days and took care of it but told me I should think about changing my pump since it's 40 years old.
I already have a new pressure tank, the well pump is next on the list.

I'd for sure take that advice and change the pump now. If you wait for it to fail, it will of course do so on a Friday before a Holiday weekend when you have all of your family coming up to the lake....:-). When mine failed it was over a weekend.

[Biggd]

Originally Posted by Charlie T

I'd for sure take that advice and change the pump now. If you wait for it to fail, it will of course do so on a Friday before a Holiday weekend when you have all of your family coming up to the lake....:-). When mine failed it was over a weekend.

I know, I'm pushing my luck but you're right. It failed on me last 4th of July week with the whole family up. Luckly it was at the end of the week, so we all went home a day early on Saturday instead of Sunday.
He told me my pump was a 1/3hp, said he hasn't used a pump that small in over 20 years. The smallest he installs now is 1/2hp.
It's a second home, so it gets second priority.

[bobkatfly]

Originally Posted by hilltopper

Meredith, NH...

I'm having a heck of a time finding a plumber who will respond or maybe even respond without saying they're two months out.

We have air in our water lines. My guess is it's a bad backflow valve between the pressure tank and the well pump or a waterlogged pressure tank. No idea, which is why I'm looking for help.

I'm hoping for someone out there who has had to remedy/fix a similar issue or someone who has a reliable plumber to contact in the Meredith area who would diagnose and help fix this issue.

Adding to bigdg's reply.

To check if it's waterlogged; shutoff the breaker for the pump, open a few faucets till there isn't any water coming out (your system pressure gage should now read zero), get a tire pressure gage and connect it to the Schrader valve on top of the tank. This will give you the air pressure on the top end of the tank that is separated from the lower water section by a diaphragm. This should read at least 30 psi in most cases. If zero, you're probably water logged and might have a leak in the diaphragm. Get a bicycle pump and try to pump the top section up to 30 psi and see if it holds. If it doesn't you have a leak in the diaphragm or the valve. Valve internals can usually be replaced, diaphragm, no.

Another potential (but unusual) air source.
I purchased a house in 2021 and while renovating it I noticed air in the system at times. I checked the tank as I said above and all was good. After snooping around a bit I noticed there was a small check valve in the main line coming from the tank. I believe it was used as a water treatment chemical injection point but was no longer being used. I removed it and no more air. It was leaking slightly and introducing air.