Okay, here is goes. I will give you the scenerio exactly how it happened. Yesterday, I returned home late and the first thing that I wanted to do was water the flowers. So, I went into the basement to turn the outside faucets on. (I always shut off the valves in between uses) I noticed immediately that my water pipes were dripping with condensation. I have never had this happen before. I figured since it was 95 degrees out that it was just from the humidity. So, I continued with my watering. The water pressure seemed abnormally slow. We don't have very good water pressure anyway for some reason (which I could never seem to get a straight answer about) but this was crazy. Normally if I wait until the pump shuts off, it gives us OK pressure for awhile. BUT, the pump never shut off. At that point, we still had some water though. I did some research which told me that I had better shut off the pump. So, I turned off the breaker. Well, when I flipped the breaker back on to try and get some water again, it gave nothing. NO WATER. Could I please get some ideas on what this might be?? I called the Plumber, but keep in mind that I am a single mother of 2. I have owned this home for 8 years and know that I have been taken advantage of for nearly every repair that I have needed. This one however scares me more than most. Thanks for any help you can give. Amanda
Dear Alan: It is a Jet Pump. It it located in my basement. Fully accessible. When you mentioned about my pump not coming back on... It actually does come on if I turn the breaker back on, but now it's now we have no water. See, I had some water pressure last night, but I was afraid that if I let me pump continously run that it would burn up, so I turned off the breaker. Then, when I turned the breaker back on, it runs, but no water at all.
If it is a leak somewhere, how would I find it? I suppose dig up my yard right?
Also, I wanted to mention that I have had pretty horrible water pressure for awhile now. For instance, if I was watering my flowers, I had to wait until the pump shut off before I would get any steady flowing consistency. Don't know if this is related to the current issue, but I thought that if there was a leak that maybe it has been slowing getting worse ... ??
The neighbors wells are fine. I am actually using the neighbors hose to fill up buckets of water for us to use. (bathroom, etc..) I am not sure how to prime the pump?? Do you want me to take a picture of the set up?
with the pump breaker OFF remove the fitting on top of the pump water housing and POUR water into it till it comes out REINSTALL PLUG...then start the pump with all the faucets closed..try that..why your loosing the prime in the OFF position is the problem......possible check valve on the well side of the pump riser pipe
Amanda,
How to prime a jet pump:
A. You will need a gallon jug of drinking water (or a neighbor's water hose with potable water), a roll of plumber's teflon tape and an adjustable wrench.
B. With the pump off, remove the largest (3/4") plug on top of the pump head. Wrap the plug clockwise only with about 2-3 flat wraps of teflon tape (as the threaded end faces you).
C. Fill the pump head with water, turn on the pump and quickly begin hand-tightening the plug in. It will sputter and bubble water around the plug a bit, but that's normal. Keep hand-tightening the plug and listen for the pump to pick up prime (the pitch will change...you can hear it). Once the pump has picked up prime, tighten the plug with the wrench (clockwise). Let it run until it cuts off. It's primed.
D. If it doesn't pick up prime, repeat the process, including replacing the teflon tape.
You likely have other problems, but that is how to prime a jet pump when the problem is IDed and corrected.
Good Luck!
Mike
Amanda--post your location and maybe someone who is on this forum is near you, can send you a PM, and offer help. All repairmen/repairwomen are not scoundrels, just those who are not on this forum. :thumbup: David
I have the same issue, I have NO water inside my home, but the pump was still running and sounded just fine. The well is 150 down in 5 streams of water and the last 3 were rock. What the heell could have happened???????
This was a old thread. Mike Swearingen There is a name i remember from way back when the board just came up.
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