Why should you learn how to prime a well pump?
When you turn on your faucet and no water comes out, this can be a concerning indicator. But before you believe your pressure tank is broken or that you need a new pump, the issue could be far simpler to assess and fix: possibly your well pump has just lost its prime.
A shortage of water in the well is one of the most common causes of pump prime loss. Water is required to prevent air gaps and provide adequate suction. If the pump isn’t completely submerged in water, you might not be able to get any water at all.
Aside from that, your well pump could lose its prime for a variety of causes. It’s critical to understand the type of well pump you have before deciding how to prime a well pump.
According to the United States Geological Survey, 15 percent of the population in the United States gets their drinking water from private wells. If you’re worried about putting a well pump on your property, don’t be; 43 million Americans have gone through the same experience.
Identifying the type of well you have is the first step in getting it up and running. To provide water to you, deep wells and shallow wells require different equipment; depending on the depth of your well, you may need to acquire a well pump that must be manually primed.
What are Self-Priming Well Pumps?
Even when they are first installed, not all well pumps require manual priming. As such, how to prime a well pump?
To comprehend the distinction, you must first comprehend the two fundamental types of well pumps.
Submersible well pumps are totally submersible, with the pumping mechanism housed within the well casing and connected to a power source at the well’s top. Because it works underwater, this type of well pump is suitable for deep wells and does not require priming.
Shallow wells will benefit from non-submersible well pumps. They will need to be primed when they are first installed because they work above the well water. Continue reading to learn how to prime a shallow well pump.
The EPA offers a handy diagram that describes the components of a well pump for beginners who are dealing with them for the first time.
Why is Priming a Well Pump Important?
Simply said, in order for your well pump to work properly, it must be primed. Priming well pumps entails manually establishing a vacuum that allows water to be drawn from the well and channeled via your water pipes.
Priming a well pump is usually only necessary when the well pump is originally installed. After that, you’ll only need to re-prime your well pump if it malfunctions—this is referred to as “re-calibrating” the pump.
What Causes a Pump to Lose Its Prime?
In learning how to prime a well pump, you have to pay attention when you turn on your faucet and no water comes out, this can be a concerning indicator. But before you believe your pressure tank is broken or that you need a new pump, the issue could be far simpler to assess and fix: possibly your well pump has just lost its prime.
A shortage of water in the well is one of the most common causes of pump prime loss. Water is required to prevent air gaps and provide adequate suction. If the pump isn’t completely submerged in water, you might not be able to get any water at all.
Apart from this, there are a variety of reasons why your pump could lose its prime, including check valve failure, leaking water lines, air gaps in the feedline, and drawdown caused by a running tap or hose.
It’s critical to understand the type of well pump you have before deciding how to handle it.
If you’re not sure, there are certain telltale signs – all you need to know is whether you have a shallow or deep well.
A jet pump, for example, can be utilized in shallow wells, but convertible jet pumps are more likely to be employed in deep wells. Only jet suction pumps require priming, not submersible well pumps, which are always submerged in water.
How to Prime a Shallow Well Pump
How to prime a well pump? Follow the steps below to prime a well pump that is shallow:
Start by turning off the pump and then unplugging it from the power source. Check that neither the pump nor the connectors show any symptoms of wear or damage, such as cracks.
Then, locate the prime plug (which is usually on the pump’s head) and remove it, setting it aside. If any pressure relief valves can be opened now, do so. This will prevent water pressure from building up inside the system.
Locate your garden hose next (make sure this is lead-free). To clean the hose, run water through it. You can prime the pump with a bucket or a large bottle, but a hose is the most convenient option.
Once your hose is ready, fill the pump’s casing until water flows freely from the valve and prime plug. The prime plug can now be replaced. If you use your well for drinking water, be sure the water is clean and safe to drink.
Finally, connect the pump and run a regular cycle through the system. Keep an eye on the pump; if it’s running smoothly, your task is done. Close the pressure relief valves, fill the pressure tank with water, and utilize your well as usual.
It’s possible that you’ll have to go through the process again. Water may return to the cistern after the pump has switched off if your check valve or foot valve aren’t working properly. This might cause an air pocket in the pipe, preventing the pump from sucking water up. If you discover this problem, turn off the system before the motor burns out and reprime the water pump.
How to Prime a Deep Well Pump
The procedure for priming a deep well pump is nearly the same. This is what you must do to prime a well pump that is deep:
To begin, turn off the water pump and disconnect it from the power source. By opening a faucet or any pressure relief valves, you can relieve any water pressure. Remove the plastic or rubber prime plug and insert a hose into the pump’s top hole.
Then, fill the pump casing with water until it’s completely filled and water is leaking out. Remove the hose and replace it with the prime plug in the hole. Allow for spaces around the hole by not fully inserting the plug. Turn on the pump system and let it run until no more air bubbles emerge from the plug’s bottom part.
After that, remove the priming cap from the hole and repeat the operation, filling the water pump casing until it starts to leak. As before, plug the hole, turn on the system, and wait until there are no more air bubbles. Rep until the pump is only emitting water. There should be no more visible air bubbles.
Finally, reinstall the prime plug and fill the pressure tank with water. Your deep well pump system is now operational again.
Priming a Convertible Jet Pump
A convertible jet pump normally consists of two pipes: one for sucking in well water and another for sending water into a venturi loop, which leads to your exit valve. Convertible jet pumps are powerful enough to be employed in deep well systems as an option.
Follow the same steps as above to prime a convertible jet pump. To avoid trapped air in the system, keep in mind that a convertible jet pump includes two pipes, both of which must be entirely immersed underwater during priming.
Frequently Asked Questions on how to prime a well pump
Is it necessary to prime a well pump?
It is true that priming a well pump is necessary. Your pump will simply not function correctly if it isn’t primed. When you manually prime the pump, it creates a pressure vacuum that permits well water to be sucked up and sent into your piping and plumbing. Pump priming can help avoid both leaks and backflow in your well system.
You must fuel your well pump as soon as your well is installed. If the pump malfunctions, you may need to re-prime it, depending on the pump’s quality and your specific conditions.
Consider self-priming pumps if you don’t want to prime your pump. Because they’re built to work in deep water, these are an excellent choice for a deep well. A self-priming pump’s turbulent turbine motion keeps the area full with water, preventing air pockets from forming in the pump’s piping or casing.
To prime a well pump, how much water is required?
The amount of water you’ll need depends on the sort of pump you’re using and how many times you’ll need to perform the process. The amount of water required is determined by the makeup of your pump system and the problem you’re dealing with (and whether you’re dealing with a problem at all!).
The majority of well pumps will require many buckets of water. Remember that if you’re going to use your well for drinking water, you should only use drinking water to prime it.
When it comes to priming a well pump, how long does it take?
This, too, is dependent on the nature of the problem your system is experiencing and how many times you need to repeat the process. The majority of shallow and deep well pumps can be primed in only a few minutes.
Filling the casing with water, testing the pump, and getting it up and running again should take less than half an hour. If you have an older water pump or one that has been damaged, you might want to consider changing the components to make the job easier.
Are well pumps self priming?
If your well’s pump is self-priming, you may not even need to prime it. However, not all pumps are self-priming, so if you’re looking for a pump that can prime itself, you should be certain.
Self-priming submersible well pumps are common. These pumps are installed underwater, as the name implies. The pumping device plugs into a power supply and doesn’t need to be primed because it’s submerged.
When you install the pump, you’ll almost always need to add water to the pump casing to start the priming process. It shouldn’t need to be re-primed in the future if you have a foot valve or check valve installed to prevent the well from losing suction. Of course, if either valve breaks, neither will your pump.
Non-submersible pumps, on the other hand, will almost always need to be primed manually. The instructions in this tutorial are relevant to most non-submersible pump priming projects, and these pumps are better for putting in shallow wells.
What’s the deal with my well pump not priming?
Your well pump may not prime for a variety of reasons. Check that none of the components on the pump have broken if you’re having problems with it. The check and foot valves might wear out over time and need to be replaced. You could potentially have a problem with loose fasteners, leaking pipework, or fittings that need to be tightened.
If your pump is dropping pressure, this could be a problem. Installing a water pressure gauge on the outside of your well will help you to keep track of the pump’s and piping’s water pressure. Check for obstructions in your water pipes if your pressure drops.
If there are no obvious problems, you should consider installing a booster pump, which will allow you to re-prime your pump and restore appropriate operation.
What should I do if I’m still unsure?
It’s easy to be intimidated by the notion of priming a well pump. The procedure is actually quite simple, but doing it right the first time might be difficult. You might be wondering if you’re priming your pump properly and getting the results you want.
You’ll be able to tell if priming the pump worked or not since it will alter your home’s water supply. However, if you want assistance, you might contact a plumber and have them walk you through the priming process (this will come at a cost).
A plumber can ensure that you’re priming your well pump according to the manufacturer’s instructions. You can also write down what they say in case you need to prime the pump again in the future.
