The pump works and water goes to the house from the reserve tanks but there can be long delays before it cuts in after mains pressure is lost. After it stops the pressure gauge falls back slowly to zero. Pressure vessel is a sphere has a valve on top. Any suggestions ?
The guage is probably broken, but that is mostly for reference for setting your start/stop switch. Now, first off I'd check your bladder tank. A bad bladder tank will still give you some pressure but causes the pump to run almost constantly. To test that, there is a bicycle looking air valve sticking out of the bladder tank. Push a key or something in it as if you were to let air out of a tire. If any water comes out, your bladder is bad and has to be replaced. If you have an older style deep well, like a well house where the pump is accessible, check the switch, (little black box attached to the pump). There are two screws that can be turned. One sets the pressure the pump will turn off at and the other adjusts the minimum pressure you want for the water to turn back on and fill your tank. A lot of people go 20/40, I run mine at 30/50. Much more than that and you can run into problems, especially if you have cpvc pipes. They will weaken at the elbows and 60 psi of water can eventually make pin hole leaks. This is from personal experience. You will need a working gauge to set this. If the bladder is not your problem, email me and I'll give you more details on how to set your pump if you need it. Or, you can buy preset switches at your local hardware for $20 and just swap it out. In that case, do not mess with the adjustment screws.
Sorry I don't know the Espa make but the theory is the same...if the pressure falls once the pump stops,that sounds like a leak in the lines somewhere (most probably the foot valve needs repacement.the fact that the pressure falls to 0 lbs would mean either that the pressure switch is not set properly or it also needs replacement.normal settings for household systems are either cut in at 20lb cut out at 40lbs or cut in at 30lbs and cut out at 50lbs.Check your pressure tank if its got a bladder it should be pressurized to 2lbs below cut in pressure this should be done with the pump off and no water pressure.IF your tank is a non bladder model empty it completly and then prime and restart the pump.
