Hello, i have an above ground shallow well water pump. I believe it's a McDonald, if that makes any difference. I inherited my mother's house and am currently renting it. The renters called and said they didn't have any water. A handyman friend of mine went down to check it out and said the pump seemed fine. He primed it and let it build up and shut off like 4 times. He couldn't find anything wrong and said maybe the foot valve had junk built up in it and that when he primed it that maybe it loosened it up and freed the valve. Well, I got a call today from the renters saying they didnt have water again. I went down myself, primed it and let it build up and shut off while I ran the water. I did this about 4-5 times without any problems. The pressure gauge was reading 40lbs on the pressure tank when it would shut off. I don't hear any leaks coming from any pipes or anything. Ok, now I don't know much about plumbing but my handyman friend seems to think it may be the toilet valve? He said he checked the toilet and said it was running. Well I checked the toilet myself and I really don't think it hardly leaks at all, if any! He told me to replace the toilet tank valve and he thought that would fix the problem. I don't think this makes sense, does it? Growing up we had toilets that always would run and we never ran out of water. My uneducated guess would be that air is getting in the system somewhere. Any help is always greatly appreciated!!! Thanks! Jack

 

is the foot valve the only check valve in the suction line? or is there another?

 

Thanks for the quick reply, just! I wish I had an answer for ya though! I may have to ask my handyman friend as I am learning as I am going along, of course with everyone's help on here!

 

I just got thinking when you say "suction line" I assume you mean the line coming into the house directly from the well? Thanks again! Jack

 

If your loosing prime its either the foot valve or a leak in the line from foot valve to well pump. It would show itself as air in the line. If water is not used for awhile then all prime will be lost and the pump will just run with no water output.

The other reason for no water is if there is more air in a bladder style tank then what the cut in pressure is. The diaphram collapses. The no water situation will on last until the pump kicks on to fill the bladder back up.

Let us know.

Mike NJ

 

a bad foot valve shouldnt cause the pump to lose prime, it will cause it to cycle excessively.

it is usually from a leak pulling air in the suction line (line from foot valve to pump inlet)

when there is only a foot valve and pump builds and shuts off.. that suction line is under pressure.. so no air can get in with time, water will leak out of whatever "leak" until pressure drops and pump kicks back on, this is when pump can suck air. so i would think you shoulda seen it lose prime in the 4-5 times you ran it.

the reason i asked if the foot was the only check valve is because if they foot valve went bad at one point and someone "patched" the problem by simply adding an inline check valve to the suction line.. there could be a leak just underneath that check valve letting air in the line but allowing the pump to hold its pressure.. so then when some time goes by between cycles, it will pull that air and lose prime. not saying this is the problem, but i'd check to make sure there isnt a hidden check valve in that line somewhere just in case.

 

Thanks Mike! I will definety let you know what I find out. Jack

 

The reason I said that was because the man that went there said the toilet may have been running. The original poster did not say if the pump was running or not when he got there. That would mean that they had no water, but assume the pump was running because of the toilet statement.



Could be.

 

Hello, thought I'd post an update. After I went down 3 days ago and primed the pump I haven't heard anything from the renters. Maybe the foot valve could have had junk in it and by me priming it could have caused the crap to loosen? I don't know, but I know I haven't gotten a call ............. yet anyway! Thanks all! I appreciate it! I love this site! Jack

 

I forgot to mention when I originally went down there the renter did say the pump was running constantly so he went down and shut it off. Also, the "handyman" stated that he did mess with the toilet tank valve and thought he did get it to seat better and not leak. If that matters. Thanks! Jack