Why does my well pump keep losing its prime?

Why does my well pump keep losing its prime?

If your foot valve is leaking your pump may lose its prime between starts. Debris blocking the suction strainer or foot valve is the most common cause. A blockage in the intake line can cause the water in the pump casing to overheat and literally boil out of the casing causing the pump to lose prime.

Why does my well keep losing pressure?

If water pressure keeps dropping after the pump stops, either your main house valve is leaking and there is water running in the building, or there is a bad check valve or foot valve and water and pressure are returning to the well. See MAIN WATER SHUTOFF VALVE.

How much water does it take to prime a well pump?

Ideally, you want about a gallon or two for priming your water pump. This can depend on how deep or shallow the well is and if there is any existing water pressure in the lines. Keep in mind if you are planning to drink from this well, you will need a gallon or two of clean drinking water for the priming process.

Why is well pump not holding pressure?

A common cause is a failed check valve. The check valve or foot valve prevents the well pressure tank from sending water back down into the well after it has built up with water pressure. Replace the check valve, and the problem is solved. Another very common issue is the pressure tank losing its captive air pressure.

What does it mean when a well is losing Prime?

Loss of well prime means that the water inside an above-ground well pump has been lost along with water in the piping between the pump and the well. If your water pump keeps losing prime repeatedly, a shallow well jet pump well line could have a bad foot valve (in the well) and so be losing prime.

Why does my well water pump keep losing Prime?

If that has happened, the problem is lack of water in the well, not a pump priming problem. If your water pump keeps losing prime repeatedly, a shallow well jet pump well line could have a bad foot valve (in the well) and so be losing prime. A leak in the well line can also lead to loss of prime.

What happens if you lose the Prime on a jet pump?

But where a one line or two line jet pump is installed, you may have lost prime at the pump. The pump motor will run but no water is delivered. If this happens it is possible to re-prime the pump with water from another source. Watch out: before proceeding, turn off electrical power to the well pump.

Can a pressure tank cause a well to lose prime?

As Bob said, the tank has nothing to do with the problem. Wells don’t lose prime, jet pumps lose prime. They do that because of a leak allowing water in the pressure tank and pump to run back down the well. The primary cause of a loss of prime is a leaking foot valve on the end of the drop pipe in the well.