Air in the water pipes??

[JLEONARD]

We come home from 3 days on the boat and flush the toilet and there is a hissing sound as air escapes from the pipe inside the toilet. I turn on the faucet and a little air escapes from there as well, then all seems fine.

Happened the 2nd weekend in a row, so I know something is up.

I have a well with a submersible pump and a modern air bladder tank that is about 15 years old. Pressure seems to be working fine at 30 to 50 psi. There is an inline sediment filter as well. Water heater is electric. Hot water radiator system is fed thru a standard pressure valve.

After the initial air, the system seems normal after that. I have not seen any leaks in the basement.

Someone at work mentioned that perhaps the well is dry, but I have never had an issue even in drought years here. Plus it hppens on the fisrt draw of water, and not afterward even after 2 showers in a row while doing laundry. So I can't believe it's a supply issue.

I will be doing some closer troubleshooting tonight, but just wondering if anyone in TDR might recognize the problem and save me some time.

Thanks in advance.

Jay

 

[TORQUE THIS]

Would it have anything to do with the crazy heat and humidity?

 

[nps]

Sounds like you may have a small hole in the bladder. If you cut off the pump and close the supply valve before the bladder, does the bladder still give some residual pressure?

 

[JLEONARD]

A hole in the bladder was also suggested yesterday by someone here at work. So last night I drained the tank (clean, no sediment) and took a pressure reading. 24 psi. I figured that was good considering I haven't touched or checked it in 15 years or so. I pumped it back up to 28 (per instructions) so I'll check it again in a day or two.



Torque This... Maybe? But how? Yes every pipe in the basement is sweating bad, but I don't know how that would relate???

 

[TORQUE THIS]

Torque This... Maybe? But how? Yes every pipe in the basement is sweating bad, but I don't know how that would relate???

Just a thought, we haven't has a summer like this in a long time...



Why not blame it on 9-11, everything else that goes wrong is...

 

[nps]

If your pump isn't cycling on and off abnormally, then seems the air is getting in the pipes under the pump.



I thought about a small leak in the supply pipe down the well shaft or at the well coupling, but the pump should see low pressure, run more often, and force water out - not let air in.



Probably a seal inside the pump. You probably only notice it when you've not used the water and have allowed the air to build, but are probably letting air in constantly.

 

[JLEONARD]

Thanks for all the replys. I spent some time with my plumber friend yesterday. Under normal conditions everything seems to check out ok. Pressure is fine, holds it fine, pump cycling is normal.

We're thinking maybe the checkvalve that is attached to the top of the pump may be starting to go south or the pitless adapter is leaking a nit.

So when he comes back from vacation (10 days or so) we're probably going to pull the pump and investigate. It's only 90 feet so that won't be too bad a job.

 

[IRNGOAT]

If the check valve on top of the pump was bad it would be cycleing without running any water (leaking back into the well). but it does sound like air is gatting in somewhere.

 

[mberry]

Maybe you have found one of them there carbonated water aquifers? Just kidding.

 

[Little Bill]

It's most likely just cold well water degassing as it warms up in your plumbing. Happens all the time, but you usually don't notice it unless the water sits i the pipes for a long time. Ever wonder why a cold glass of tap water forms bubbles on the glass as it warms up ?

 

[JLEONARD]

It's most likely just cold well water degassing as it warms up in your plumbing

Since this is the first time this has happened in the 22 years I've owned my home, I don't buy that as the reason.

I did turn the power off to the pump on friday morning and shut off the house supply after the tank. Pressure was about 42 psi on the gage. Was still 42 when we returned home sunday afternoon, so based on this I'm thinking the pump to the tank is fine.

I got air from both the hot and cold after I turned on the power and drew out some water. Both upstairs and downstairs had air.

 

[B.G. Smith]

It's most likely just cold well water degassing as it warms up in your plumbing

Since this is the first time this has happened in the 22 years I've owned my home, I don't buy that as the reason.

I did turn the power off to the pump on friday morning and shut off the house supply after the tank. Pressure was about 42 psi on the gage. Was still 42 when we returned home sunday afternoon, so based on this I'm thinking the pump to the tank is fine.

I got air from both the hot and cold after I turned on the power and drew out some water. Both upstairs and downstairs had air.

Little Bill may be right? The pressure at that depth would be about 40#, with the system on, the pressure stays in that range until it is released at the faucet, when you turn off the supply to the house if the plumbing in the house is depressured it could be gas entrained in the water escaping. I would investigate that further before I pulled the well. Just my . 02 cents worth. bg