Well pressure gauge question

[Aetheling]

Lost water pressure just now. Went to the well and could hear a hissing sound. Air pouring out of the gauge and it looks like something failed. Do I need a new gauge or just what’s missing. Cant find anything in the grass of course.

[SaltwaterSlick]

Jeff, where is the air coming from? Not sure what I'm looking at, but usually there's a shrader valve (air valve like on a tire) to add air to the tank about where that gauge is located... Inspect those threads carefully to see if maybe it looks like "something" was indeed screwed in that connection. It looks like a NPT thread but can't tell for sure.

[Aetheling]

Jeff, where is the air coming from? Not sure what I'm looking at, but usually there's a shrader valve (air valve like on a tire) to add air to the tank about where that gauge is located... Inspect those threads carefully to see if maybe it looks like "something" was indeed screwed in that connection. It looks like a NPT thread but can't tell for sure.

Charlie it definitely looks like something was screwed in and is now missing. Ive replaced check valves before on wells but never a pressure gauge and can’t remember seeing a gauge before with a built in valve mechanism. Air is pouring out of that hole. Ive shut the well off for now. Figure its a daylight problem for tomorrow. Just not sure what I need to buy to fix.

[SaltwaterSlick]

If nothing else, screw a pipe plug in it to stop it from leaking down. does that tank have a bladder? Most now a days do not. If it has a bladder, that probably where you would put air into the tank. It likely had an air valve with a valve stem to accept an air chuck just like your tires on your car... Has any water blown out the hole? If not then that tank probably has a bladder... Bladder or no bladder, you'll need air in the tank to keep your pump and water pressure from surging when you turn on the water... The air acts like a shock absorber of sorts... Usually that air valve is up on the upper half of the tank, but not sure about a bladder tank...

[bboswell]

That’s a different set up than any of my wells have been. Are there any parts on the ground that appear to be what blew out? It’s possible it is water logged, I would turn off the pump and drain the tank then turn all back on and see

[Walker]

My daughters well has a relief valve but it's not at the gauge.

[Aetheling]

If nothing else, screw a pipe plug in it to stop it from leaking down. does that tank have a bladder? Most now a days do not. If it has a bladder, that probably where you would put air into the tank. It likely had an air valve with a valve stem to accept an air chuck just like your tires on your car... Has any water blown out the hole? If not then that tank probably has a bladder... Bladder or no bladder, you'll need air in the tank to keep your pump and water pressure from surging when you turn on the water... The air acts like a shock absorber of sorts... Usually that air valve is up on the upper half of the tank, but not sure about a bladder tank...

No water coming out. If left on it will hold 10 or so psi and give me some water to the house but I assume the pump will constantly run so I shut her down. It was installed 2020 so not old.

[Aetheling]

That’s a different set up than any of my wells have been. Are there any parts on the ground that appear to be what blew out? It’s possible it is water logged, I would turn off the pump and drain the tank then turn all back on and see

When I get off work tomorrow Ill drain it out and turn it back on and see what it does. Guess Ill call a well company tomorrow and text the pic. Praying its just a valve to replace. Nothing on the ground I could see but whatever was in there was small and probably out in the grass somewhere.

[Bill]

It’s puzzling that air and not water is gushing out. I understand pressurizing a bladder, but eventually all the air would get expelled.

Nothing else I can add of value.

[miket]

Looks like the air release valve. Air should come out when the water level gets too low ( too much air in tank ). If you dont have that you periodically have to bleed the air off the top. Air coming out is normal, but dont know why your pressure isnt rising when the pump is on.

[Aetheling]

Air Volume Control valve. Just watched a video. I can possibly fix it by backing the valve out manually with a screwdriver. If that doesn’t work it needs replacing. No bladder system. Valve adjustment should not be that far inside the unit. Will see what happens when I mess with it tomorrow.

[wickll]

Can't say for certain from this pic, but it looks like a setup I have on a pressure tank that doesn't have a bladder. To get the air "cushion" (or eliminate it from being water logged) you can cut electricity off and drain the well. There is a float about at that level where the guage is.

After the water level drops below that level, the flow drops and lets air in . When electricity is restore, air is released as water fills the tank until the flow rises inside the tank and seals the hole. The the water starts compressing the air as the pressure rises.

Did you lose power to the well prior to this happening?

[miket]

This is what mine looks like. Guage screws into the top. There is something sticking out of the back, but dont know what, or what that piece of it does.