Priming a well


  #1  
Old 04-04-01, 12:56 PM
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I got a leak in the water pipe and to control, shut off the power to my well pump. How do I prime the pump to get it drawing water again? I'd appreciate any suggestion. A vendor told me that he would charge me $1200 and I had to buy a new pump just because I turned off the power to the existing pump. Thanks.
 
  #2  
Old 04-04-01, 01:47 PM
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Cool

WHAT?
If you've repaired your leak, it's easy to prime a pump.
Although I recently posted this how-to in the "Hints, Tips, and Tricks" forum, here 'tis again...

HOW TO PRIME A PUMP:

NEED: Gallon jug of drinking water, teflon tape, and adjustable wrench.

1. Unplug or turn off power to pump.
2. Unscrew largest (3/4") plug on top of pump head.
3. Wrap 2-3 flat turns of teflon tape clockwise only around threads of plug.
4. Fill head of pump with water, quickly start plug by hand, and plug in pump.
5. Continue to hand-tighten plug (air and water will bubble out around threads) until hand tight, and pump begins to pick up prime. Complete tightening of plug with wrench.
6. If pump continues to pickup pressure until it cuts off, you're good to go.
If not, repeat steps 1-5 until it does.
Good Luck!
Send $1199 (see, I'm cheaper). LOL
Mike
 
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Old 04-04-01, 01:56 PM
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My problem is that it is a submersible pump and is down at the well head. Can I prime through the water pipe itself? Thanks. dam
 
  #4  
Old 04-04-01, 03:20 PM
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Cool

O.K.
It's a SUBMERSIBLE pump?
Why didn't you say so? Woulda saved me a lot of wasted time about how to prime a SURFACE pump. LOL
You do NOT have to prime a submersible pumped because it is SUBMERGED and therefore already "primed" with water, right?
Just fire it back up, and give it time to do its thing.
You only have to prime surface pumps.
If the leak is fixed, and all is well with its switch and pressure tank, it should pump right back up to cut-off.
Haven't you tried it?
If you have, and it isn't pumping, you have another problem. Pulling and replacing the pump will be necessary, IF the pump is the problem, which maybe the vendor (plumber?) guessed.
Don't send me the $1199. You may well need it, so to speak.
Good luck!
Mike


 
 

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