you pressure checked it and it didnt leak... the added pressure sealed the check valve better maybe ?

Avoid digging in search of the leak--at best, you could unearth much of the system and have to spend time reburying the pipes; at worst, you could cut into a pipe and cause extensive damage. Instead, call in a professional who can use special equipment to trace the leak. I would suspect if your well pump is kicking on that often (depending on the size of the pump and holding tank, if any) you may have a pretty good size leak. Check out the entire area where your irrigation is installed for soft spots or puddling.

Check the other post about the pump that won't turn off - your problem sounds similar (breached air bladder inpressure tank).

if its not the pressure tank, air bladder, pressure switch or check valve and you are sure its a leak, you could try to listen for moving water by placing a stethoscope on each hydrant to see if you can "hear" a leak.

professionals listen between hydrants and valves and can tell which direction the leak is by the difference in pitch between the spots where the sound is detected.

Just to clarify a few points. The system has been working without a leak for 2 years. It is a new development. The pump is a variable speed grundfos. This type of setup does nto require as much plumbing as a regualr pump. There is no large pressure tank that requires a special pump houe to keep from freezing. The pressure tank is a amsll 2 gallon type that usually goes on a hot water heater. It sits in a cobered hole in teh ground. Much like a service main for the house water. As soon as the weather gets a bit better I'm going to swap it out for a new one. It's cheap in comparison to the cost of a pro, but if that doesn't work I'll get them out to take a look.

Thanks and I'll let you know how it goes.

jb

Hey Juneya
20 Years in the oil refining business says if it holds pressure for 48 hours "there aint no leak". Now, I'm a little supprised that the pressure never rose and dropped a little with the heating and cooling of the day and night temps. Sounds more like the instrument reading the pressure is faulty.

The pressure test was done when I was installing the system. It didn't leak for the first two years. The leak is a new development.

Thanks,
jb