My well pump is running but water sounds like it is trickling into the tank. I have primed the pump and that appears to be fine. In fact,after running the pump for a little bit, when I go to remove the prime plug, there is pressure built up although my gauge does't show any (might have a bad gauge). The pump constantly runs and I have the system shut off right after the tank. We ran the pump about 15 minutes last night with the valve shut off right after the pump and it just continued to run. That should be enough time to fill and pressure the tank and what small amount of pipe there is. Other than a hole in the pipe coming from the well, I am trying to figure out if there is something else I can do above ground to see if that is the problem.
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A diagram would help, and what's a "prime plug"?– Daniel GriscomCommented May 21, 2016 at 14:32
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A picture of the pump and related would be more helpful.– bigbull15Commented May 21, 2016 at 17:43
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I'm unclear how you have verified that it's "fine" - have you primed the pump and pumped water with it, or merely you have primed the pump and have some pressure (but no stored water?) If you open a faucet, does water flow when you are pumping, or not?– EcnerwalCommented May 21, 2016 at 20:45
1 Answer
There could be several reasons for this to occur. The first thing I would do is install a new pressure gauge. From your description, even though the pump is running it does not sound like it is "primed". If pressure is built in the pump when you pull the "prime plug" the water would be shooting out of there. The best way to prime a jet pump is to install a ball valve where the prime plug is so you can add water here to the pump as it is running to help "prime the pump", regulate the amount of water going in, and begin to build pressure. As the pressure on the gauge begins to rise shut off the ball valve and see if the pump begins to build pressure itself. If not continue to add water as pump is running until the gauge shows pressure building. It would also help to do, as you did, (shut off the valve between pump and tank) until the pump builds pressure in the line. Then gradually open the valve to the pressure tank, watching the pressure gauge and trying to keep the water pressure on the higher end until the tank is full and pump shuts off. If the pressure tank is waterlogged (No Air) the pump will have a considerably harder time to build pressure.
Jet pumps generally have a 20/40 pressure switch. Any higher pressure can cause the jet pump to work too hard to build and maintain pressure.
If there is a galvanized well tank make sure it is pressurized to 18lbs of air with a 20/40 switch. 28lbs with a 30/50 switch. This style tank has to be re-pressurized yearly.
If it has a bladder style tank make sure the air charge is the same as above.
You also need to determine if your well pump system is a single drop or double drop design. [Double Drop and Single Drop Jet Pump Well Designs][1]
Get yourself several buckets of water to aid in priming the pump.
If none of this helps you most likely have a plugged screen (call well man) or bad check valve (The check valve may be right at the pump). You can replace that yourself. The sign this is bad is after the pump builds pressure it immediately kicks on again as the check valve is allowing water to drop back down the pipe causing the pump to loose prime again.
I hope this helps,
R.J. DeChene The Water Softener Blog.com
