OK so I recently posted a question about my shallow well (6ft) jet pump short cycling. I changed out the pressure tank and put a check valve in and that took care of the problem. Things were good for a while, but now another problem has developed. It is no longer delivering water correctly. A couple days ago, the water cut off on my wife while she was in the shower. I went down and checked the pump to find that it was not drawing any water at all (pressure was staying at about 28psi and not rising at all.) I turned the pump off and told her she was out of luck. The strange thing is, I went down and turned it back on a couple hours later and the pressure built right back up. To make a long story short, it seems like it can pump the water if you are just cycling it once, but if there is a continuous demand for water, it is not working correctly. The same thing happened this morning when she tryed a shower. I know it sounds like we are out of water, but it rained all day yesterday. Ideas?
2007-02-23 00:15:30 · 10 answers · asked by Joe 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
The pump or line in has an airleak causing cavetation of the pump.
2007-02-23 00:21:23 · answer #1 · answered by burning brightly 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It could be an air leak. I think the best way to check would be to turn the water on and let it run until the pump kicks in. Then you can probably listen and hear for irregular noises if the pump is drawing a combination of water or air (cavitation), or watch the pressure valve. It could act irregular as the pressure will be erratic with air drawing in somewhere along the line. Also, watch to see how long it takes the water pressure to build to the point where the pump kicks out. If it takes much more time than normal, that will indicate a leak as well.
Good luck
2007-02-23 08:38:49 · answer #2 · answered by stretch 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jet pumps lose efficiency as the total lift increases. Total lift includes the vertical distance from the water to the pump plus the friction losses in the suction line and foot valve. Shallow well jets are not practical if the total lift exceeds 5.5 m (18 ft).
Pumping water containing sand will cause wear and leakage around mechanical seals. The mechanical seal on the pump shaft is water lubricated and water cooled, so the pump should never be run without the pump casing being filled with water. Air or gases in the pump will cause a loss of prime. Shallow well jet pumps must have either a check valve or foot valve installed on the suction line to maintain prime.
2007-02-23 08:31:37 · answer #3 · answered by Muffett : 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just where did you put that check valve in??? That check belongs AFTER the air tank and you should have used a SPRING LOADED check, not a flapper type.
Did you properly pump up the air bladder with a hand air pump? You have got to charge that bladder up with air otherwise that thing wont cycle correctly. Get yourself a hand air pump and charge that thing accordingly so it will cycle only after the discharge of about 2/3 gallons of water out of a faucet.
2007-02-23 08:51:41 · answer #4 · answered by James M 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like you're well is drying up, you need a deeper well. After 2 hours with a pump off the well replenished itself as the water level came back up. Maybe the end of your pipe in the well is getting plugged up with mud and by turning it off for 2 hours the mud dissolved. Good luck
2007-02-23 08:22:11 · answer #5 · answered by enord 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with Burning man, but check your filters as well. A buddy of mine had a similar problem. He ended up replacing his filter, but also found an air leak in the process.
2007-02-23 08:25:27 · answer #6 · answered by sm177y 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would give you the suggestions to either have a deeper well dug....or even add an extra tank, or two...to build up the volume. Best of luck to you.
2007-02-23 20:23:48 · answer #7 · answered by cajunrescuemedic 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hi had the same problem it was the pump was sucking air so check your lines and check all clamps
2007-02-23 15:46:27 · answer #8 · answered by Donald 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't know to much about this, but is your well filling up fast enough? Is there sediment building up in it maybe?
2007-02-23 08:27:25 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
low water level.
2007-02-23 08:37:42 · answer #10 · answered by DASH 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋