Plumbing question - water pressure in shower is surging?

300UGUY · Apr 14, 2014

I think it might be the pressure tank. I can't think of another reason for the pressure variation? The tank is about 25 years old, so it doesn't owe me anything!

Tig · Apr 14, 2014

Water logged tank, which makes the pump short cycle on and off when the shower is running?
The rubber bladder in the tank should pressurized within a couple pounds of your cut in pressure. If the bladder is ruptured you won't be able to precharge, you'll just be pumping air into the water system.

japody · Apr 14, 2014

Had the same problem a few months ago. Just as Tig stated above, the tank was water logged. Replaced tank, charged it to 2 lbs under pressure switch rating and was back in business. Good luck.

Pete Judd · Apr 15, 2014

Ditto on the tank, get a new bladder tank and your pump will last a lot longer.

Looking4new · Apr 15, 2014

This one makes 4 votes for your tank + your own.

TheGoose · Apr 15, 2014

If you've got a bladder tank make sure you go back with a good quality tank like a Well X Trol and not a big box store knock-off. WXT is warrantied for 7 years and the Big Box Store ones will fail just after the warranty expires.

henryswe · Apr 16, 2014

When we first moved to the county and we were building our house, we had surging like you described. When we were finally able to use the house shower my well pump quit. I took off my cover on my well and looking down at the pipe going into the water I felt I should get a new pump before I pull up the old pump in the well. On the way to the dealer I called them on my cell phone and told them what happened. His first question was how much horsepower is my pump. I told him I didn't have any idea so I was instructed to remove the start capacitors and I can then the horsepower will be printed in the box. When I removed the capacitors I found them to be broken apart. After talking to the dealer I was told to push the air valve on the tank and if water comes out I have a bad bladder. After seeing water come out I replaced the tank with one I can replace the bladder, and the tank was made out of fiberglass. No problems since and I am glad I didn't have to pull the pump out of the well.

turnkey4099 · Apr 16, 2014

TheGoose said:
If you've got a bladder tank make sure you go back with a good quality tank like a Well X Trol and not a big box store knock-off. WXT is warrantied for 7 years and the Big Box Store ones will fail just after the warranty expires.

My WXT is still alive an well after long years. I don't know its exact age but I was stillworking at the jail when the well was drilled, that would be back in late 90s or early 00s.

Harry K

KRBrouwer · Apr 23, 2014

I have two WXT in my system, one at the house and one at the barn. Both are 16 years old, and still functioning.

Ken B.

300UGUY · Apr 23, 2014

This one was over 30, but I don't know who made it. I replaced with one from Lowes, but I had never heard of Well Trol. I did end up going to a plumbing supply store to get some fittings. I had a 1 1/4 in coming off the well. The Homer and Lowes didn't have anything that size. I ended up buying the rest of the 3/4 and 1 inch fittings there also. The connectors are heavier, thicker copper than the big box guys, and the dialetric unions are stainless steel, vs iron at the big box. I was impressed that the guy there actually knew what he was doing - the guy at Lowes was trying, but he really didn't know as much as I did.

Btw, pressure is excellent, and no more surging. I went from a 20 / 40 switch to a 40 / 60 switch, it makes showers a lot more fun.