Faulty water pump?

Question

Hi,

My water tank has a pump attached. With the pump switched off the pressure is awful - the water trickles out of the taps (hot and cold). (except kitchen cold water tap which i assume comes straight from the mains?). With the pump on everything is fine, except a couple of things which concern me:

1. the pump continually activates for about 10 seconds every few minutes - whether or not i'm using any water. Is this right?

2. i get loads of air locks. after having a shower the sink tap splutters for a while, and the toilet re-filling often makes horrible spluttering noises. Is this ok or should I do something about it?

3. Is it worth me turning off the pump when I go out/at night etc to save money and wear and tear? This comes back to point 1 - i'm not sure it should be activating so much... but is turning the pump on and off contributing to the air locks?

Any guidance would be much appreciated!

Thanks for all your advice. I'll investigate more and try to find out what sort of pump it is. Don't really want to have to call a plumber out - cost me £100 just to install the washing machine!!

Answer 1

The most likely cause of what you describes is that you have a leak on the input side of your pump. This allows air to enter the system some of which ends up in your tank and some of which is pumped up to your outlets --- hence the bubbles.

Check the entire input side for leakage. Of course this would most likely be air entering. So listen. When the pump is stopped there could also could be water leaking out. Look for this as a clue as well.

When you find the leak it should be easy to fix using materials from any good hardware store, unless it is a very old system using galvanized piping. If so, things will be a touch more complex.

And, very important, do not leave the system on when you are out. If things get worse, the pump main begin to run continuously and even run dry thus there could be an electrical danger from over-running and/or you could burn your pump out.

Finally, turning the pump on and off should not contribute to air locks.

NOTE: When checking for leakage pay special attention to the input fitting right at the pump. Vibration often causes weakening in this spot.

Answer 2

It sounds to me like your tank has become waterlogged. This means that there isn't enough air space in the tank to pressurize the water. The solution is to turn off the pump and drain the tank completely making sure that your check valve is closed to the well so you don't lose your prime. Once the tank is empty, start the pump. It should take a while to fill up, but the pressure will be a lot better and the pump won't run as often.

Answer 3

is it an old tank?? if so shut off the pump and drain the tank, then turn on the pump and refill it. If it is a newer tank it will have an air bladder and you can pump it up. These tanks are to prevent the pump from runnig constantly. The switch is usually set to come on at 20lbs pressure and off at 40lbs. The air in the tank or bladder provide the pressure to push the water until the pump comes on. If niether of these repairs work call a well driller or well service man,you may need a new tank.

Answer 4

You obviously have a very old pump. They have an air release on them now, much like a pressure cooker, where the build up of air is allowed to escape by itself. And why are you turning it off, never do that, you are doing more harm to the motor. Leave it on all the time until you can afford a new one. They cost £120 plus the cost of the plumber to fix it. But make sure it the new type with air pressure valve, don't let them fob you off with a reconditioned one.

Answer 5

1. the pump is drawing in air when in use ,this is where your air in the pipes originates.The pump may have to be re-sited further down the pipework.
2.The pump operates via a flow switch so this is detecting a water flow and turning on.
3. the flow switch is faulty
In any case it needs checking out by a professional person.

Answer 6

Incorrectly installed by a "plumber"
Cure. Vertical distance between pump and tank should be as great as possible, this action will stop the pump sucking air, and probably stop it activating for no reason.
My mail is [e-mail] my other address is "down"
LATER I am assuming that it is UK and not USA

Answer 7

you say that the kitchen cold comes from the mains.is the pump a back-up to municipal water pressure?if so it's a new one to me.if it's a standard pump set up it sounds like a combination problem.tank waterlogged/no room for air compression/expansion causes pump to cycle.air in lines usually caused by leak in suction line.(this can also bring on tank water log by causing pump to cycle)turn off power to pump and water heater (to prevent it back draining and burning an element)bleed pressure at a faucet,and open lowest drain on tank.then try to vent tank from above either by removing prime plug(best option)or by going into house and opening cold taps.water should be flowing out of tank.once empty close everything back off&turn on power to pump.take cover off pump pressure switch and look at "shoe"if it's jumping up and down tou probably have an air leak somewhere in suction line.do not try to adjust pressure switch unless you really know what you're doing.don't forget to turn power back on to water heater after you get water out of hot faucet.if problem recurrs replace air volume control(donut shaped valve srewed into end of tank withsmall tube coming out of other side.some tanks simply screw off top of pump they are very easy to drain,it's self explanatory as soon as it comes off pump.if ths type it should go back on only if it will accept and keep 30 LB of AIR pressure.if not-replace.it's very easy.sorry for writing a book,but wanted to cover the bases.

Answer 8

is it a well pump? i forget their technically name, but in your water tank there is a pressurized bag of air that keeps the water pressure up. if the pump keeps turning on, it sounds liek that bag in the tank is leaking allowing the pressure to drop, which could also explain the air in your water lines. have a plumber check the water tank.

Answer 9

in case you had a defective water pump, your motor vehicle might overheat. verify to verify what's blowing out of your exhaust pipe. in case you have any smoke popping out of there jointly as you're utilising, you have a defective head gasket or it become put in improperly. Are you dropping coolant? if so that is beneficial to with the help of a equipment that could verify in case you have a head gasket leaking or a cracked block or head. you in addition to mght might have air interior the device and might desire to bleed the cooling device.