Well-pump Stops After Rain

[simon43]

At my rented house I have a typical 1 metre diameter well which is about 7 metres deep. There is always plenty of water at the bottom..

The electric pump starts on demand and looks almost new.

However, whenever we have a downpour, as is happening almost every day, the pump stops delivering water to the taps. The motor still runs when there a tap is opened, but no water is pumped up. I have to turn off the pump and open the 'bleed' cap (or whatever it is called). Then I top up the pressure tank with a few gallons of water, replace the cap and then the pump works ok again.

Obviously, I am getting tired of doing this every few days. Can anyone suggest what is the problem here and how I can solve it? (Moving house is not an acceptable answer)

Simon

[Crossy]

Sounds like your pump is losing its prime, most likely you have a bad check valve.

If you have a shallow well and horizontal pump, then you will need to replace the check valve, which is either a brass or PVC fitting that is usually installed directly before the inlet or suction side of the pump. Make sure you have the flow the correct way; there are arrows on the check valve which point the direction for the flow of water.

As to why it only occurs after a downpour, I can only hazard a guess. Does the level in your well rise significantly when it rains?? It's possible that when the level falls after the rain stops it is putting extra strain on a weak check valve and pulling air into the pump chamber killing the prime.

[Fosa]

Hi Simon

Had the same thing with my system few months ago. Not sure of your set-up but for me was as Crossy says the check-valve -though mine's at the 'business' end of the system in the well (return valve?). This involved detaching the inlet pipe (blue plastic) from the pump and pulling the whole 7m length out of the well! It snapped! Never mind! Easy fix. The valve at the end was corroded ( high iron in water ?) and full out debris - better to replace 200B.

Also make sure your pump is well bolted down as I've found vibrations can loosen up your connections and if they're plastic actually damage the thread thus allowing air into the system.

By the way, as you may have gathered, I am NOT a plumber!

Fosa

[Gary A]

I'd bet that Crossy is correct. I could be that rain stirs things up at the bottom of the well and a bit of dirt can allow the check valve to leak. In any case there should be a screen around the check valve. Sometimes they call them foot valves probably because they are all the way at the bottom of the intake pipe. You should be able to find a new one with a screen at nearly any plumbing shop.

[simon43]

ok thanks! I will go and take a look at the business end of my well pipe!

Simon

[Crossy]

ok thanks! I will go and take a look at the business end of my well pipe!

Simon

Depending upon the type of pump, the check valve may be at the top or bottom of the pipe (serves the same purpose, keep the pipe and pump full of water), check next to the pump first (less messy).