Well Foot Valve repair diagnostic questions & answers:

These questions and answers address common problems with well piping foot valves or check valves including their relation to loss of well pump prime.

This article series describes the foot valve used on well piping for water well Pumps & Water Wells: we explain what a foot valve is, how they work, why they are used, and how to diagnose troubles with this special in-well check valve found at the bottom of well piping in some wells.

We provide advice about loss of well pump prime due to bad foot valves and what to do when things go wrong with the check valve.

What is a Foot Valve and Why do we need one on well piping?

These questions about foot valves and check valves on well piping were posted originally at FOOT VALVES - topic home. Be sure to review that article.

On 2018-09-29 by (mod) - can I use a foot valve as a check valve in a spring house?

Normal foot field will be just fine.

On 2018-09-29 by NP

I am installing a shallow well pump in my garage and pulling water from an underground spring. The set up requires a horizontal suction pipe from well to pump with 6' of rise total. Approx 80' of horizontal run.

Do I need a special horizontal foot valve for this or will a normal foot valve work?

On 2018-08-20 by (mod) - Ellen uses a driven point well

Ellen

Driven point wells are never very deep since they are constructed by pounding a pipe into the soil. Typically 25 feet or less, with a 1-line jet pump; a check valve is usually right at the pump.

If your well uses two pipes and a two line jet pump it's probably a deep well, not a driven point well.Ellen

Driven point wells are never very deep since they are constructed by pounding a pipe into the soil. Typically 25 feet or less, with a 1-line jet pump; a check valve is usually right at the pump.

If your well pump uses two pipes and a two line jet pump it's probably a deep well, not a driven point well.

On 2018-08-20 by Ellen

We haven’t tried what you suggested yet. My son was over last night and took a look at the system and is a little worried about the process.

My son is a carpenter and what I consider a jack of all trade but his knowledge is limited in the well area. He thinks my well is deeper than I do and he isn’t sure a check valve will solve the issue

. I was told today by the realator (whom I bought the house from 15 years ago) that it is a point well.

The system does have a jet pump. My son found a pic of my system and suggested I forward to you to make sure we are on the same page before I invest in parts. I am hoping we are on the same page. :) thanks

Thanks! I see the pic showed up, on it's side :) so the check valve would go in the bottom pipe that look red and currently to the right. Yes, it is a tight fit so hopefully we can put one in. Thanks again. I will keep you posted.

On 2018-08-03 by (mod) -

Ellen

Your system looks as if a two-line jet pump was converted, using an external venturi (the green fitting) to function as a one-line jet pump system.

The check valve, if y ou can squeeze one in to this crowded installation, would fit on the smaller of the two pipes of your pump.

On 2018-08-03 by Ellen

Hi I have another question for you

as I was looking at my well set up trying to figure out what size check valve to buy I realized I have two lines that go between the well pump and the pipe that goes into the ground. Would the check valve go on the line on top? Or the line below? The two lines appear to be two different sizes

I added a pic that I hope shows up [see both Ellen's sketch and her photo above on this page]. Thanks again!

On 2018-08-02 by (mod) -

Keep us posted, Ellen - as that may permit further comment and may also help other readers.

On 2018-08-02 by Ellen

Thanks danjoefriedman for the confirmation, I am going to give that a try and hopefully it works for me.

On 2018-08-02 by (mod) -

In a driven well, Ellen, usually the check valve is right at the pump; if not you may be able to add one there, just as you suggest. That may work because by definition a driven point well is quite shallow - allowing an above-ground checkvalve to hold.

On 2018-08-01 by Ellen

Hi, I have a 2inch point driven shallow well. Recently once the pump is primed, when the pump isn't running, the water will run back down into the well. I believe the foot valve is no longer working. It takes about 3-4 minutes for the pump to refill the lines, but only 2-3 minutes for the water to run back down into the well when the pump shuts off.

So the pump is pretty much running constantly. I am wondering if I could put a check valve in the line between the pipe that goes into the ground and the pump. Will that work instead of replacing the foot valve which is at the bottom (I believe) of the well? Thanks in advance

On 2018-07-19 by (mod) - leaky foot valve or leak in well piping.

John

That sounds like there is a leaky foot valve or leak in well piping.

On 2018-07-19 by John Zettervall

We have a deep well packer pump installation (2" diameter cased well, 33' deep). We get good flow but when the water valve is shut off, the pump also shuts off for a short while

--then the pressure switch turns off and on every few seconds. Thus, we shut the power off and the next morning the pump lost it's prime and we have to re-prime it again to fill our stock tank.

On 2018-06-26 by dave

if I have a leaking foot valve in my drilled well how often will it make my pump come on? comes on about every hour. anyone out there?

On 2018-06-08 by (mod) - . The pump will turn on for 3-5 sec approximately every 15 to 20 minutes.

I the common causes of a PUMP THAT RUNS FOR NO REASON, also

called INTERMITTENT PUMP CYCLING

is most commonly a leak somewhere in your water piping system

On 2018-06-07 by Don

My pump is used for irrigation. The pressure gauge indicates the drop in pressure from 60# to 40# as water is used. The pump will cycle on and off normally when water is in use. When the irrigation valves are shut the pump runs until pressure is built to the 60# shut off pressure. So all good for normal operations.

Indicates to me that the pressure switch and gauge are in synch.

Problem occurs when the system is not in use. The pump will turn on for 3-5 sec approximately every 15 to 20 minutes. The pressure gauge will still indicate 60# during the cycle. The gauge does not budge during this on off cycle.

On 2018-05-23 by (mod) - if your well pump system check valve is above ground it's easily changed-out.

Robert,

That's an interesting and quite reasonable guess - if your well pump system check valve is above ground it's easily changed-out.

If yours is a deep well of several hundred feet there could be several check valves between the foot valve and the pitless adapter, any of which could be sticking. You'd need to pull the well pipe to replace those.

On 2018-05-23 11:15:19.836224 by robert

My deep water well comes on at 28 psi and shuts off at 60 psi I have noticed at times the pump runs continuously
At 30 psi and won't build any more pressure

. If I shut the pump off for ten seconds or longer and then turn it back
On it builds pressure and shuts off at 60 psi. I'm thinking either debris is getting on the check valve impeding water
flow or the check valve itself is sticking

On 2018-05-19 14:58:30.632683 by (mod) -

Mary Kay

That sounds as if the foot valve (at the bottom of well piping) is clogged.

On 2018-05-19 by Mary Kay

The well pump works but no water and the plastic line collapses from the suction. Have a check valve unsure if we have a foot valve or where it would be located.

On 2018-05-15 by (mod) - where is the well piping check valve ?

Tom,

I can't quite see any check valve in your photo but it doesn't mean that your system doesn't include one elsewhere on the piping system or as a foot valve in your well.

Typically the check valve will be

- at the jet pump for an above ground one line jet pump

- in the well as a foot valve for two line jet pumps and some submsersible pumps

- in the well piping between pressure tank inlet and well casing for many deeper wells

- in multiple stages in the vertical riser pipe in the well for very deep wells more than 100 ft.

On 2018-05-15 by Tom

Is there a check valve in this control center assembly? Pump cycles once or twice and loses all pressure. When this happens it sounds like a check valve letting go.

On 2018-05-13 22:58:57.178891 by (mod) -

Way to go, it sounds like you found a problem that can be hard to track down. Do keep us posted as if you wanted something else it will help other readers.

Usually a clog in the fitting or tube that conducts water pressure to the pressure control switch results in a switch that doesn't turn on or off when it should. I'm not clear on how that would be connected to causing air in the water supply piping.

On 2018-05-13 22:28:11.116972 by Brian

,
Well I solved this current issue. Changed the pressure switch and the problem was still there. I then removed the pressure line completely between the pump and the switch and it was open BUT the fitting on the pump was clogged. Cleaned out the fitting and got water flowing through it , flushed it out, re-installed the line and now the last issue is resolved. I will monitor and see if any of the early issues crop up again.
Thank You all for the helpful replies.

On 2018-05-13 20:10:47.349903 by (mod) -

I wouldn't guarantee it but I do agree that it's worth a try.

On 2018-05-13 14:43:53.568890 by Roger Smith

If I install a in line check valve will it fix a 70 ft well that has a faulty foot valve

On 2018-04-30 21:52:49.662523 by (mod) -

ok

On 2018-04-30 18:15:43.232651 by (mod) -

Brian:

If pressure does not fall when no water is being used, that argues against a leak in well piping or a leaky foot valve.

However several causes of odd pump on-off operation can be intermittent, including

- a debris-clogged pressure control switch (try tapping on the switch when you're running water, pressure falls below the cut-in, and the switch doesn't turn on the pump)

- a sometimes-sticking foot valve

On 2018-04-30 12:52:53.523045 by Brian

@Brian,
I didn't draw any water since the last post and this morning it was still showing 50lbs. Now I drew water and this time the tank emptied and the water stopped flowing BUT the pump didn't cycle on for about 5 seconds, then it kicked on and water and pressure was normal. Now I may be chasing multiple issues. Possible leaking foot valve or well pipe and /or a faulty or partially blocked pressure switch ?

On 2018-04-30 02:46:05.997472 by Brian

It's 90' deep, twin pipe, ejector, foot valve. In the house it's a 3/4 hp pump,pressure regulator into a 36gal tank. No sign of leaks around the pump but haven't pulled the pit cover to look in yet It's been holding steady at 50lbs since my last post. Will see how it behaves in the morning.

On 2018-04-30 00:24:17.769542 by (mod) -

Brian

That sounds to me as if there is a leak in the well piping or a leaky foot valve or check valve at the bottom of your well. It may be than that when the pump first comes on it's pushing a slug of air into your water system before the water reaches your fixtures. This might be more likely to be true if it's a deep well.

On 2018-06-24 18:21:01.404761 by (mod) -

Perhaps a clogged or blocked foot valve that needs to be replaced.

On 2018-06-24 15:27:11.456078 by Mohamed Hamdhan

What's the problem comes in foot valve if any problem in foot valve it will not suck the water up right for that problem what's the solution

On 2018-04-13 by (mod) - my pump runs forever

Marv using the ARTICLE INDEX foundat the end of any of these pages you'll find these diagnostic articles

WELL WATER PRESSURE DIAGNOSIS - home

• WATER PRESSURE TABLE 1: PUMP WON'T RUN, WON'T STOP, or CYCLES
• WATER PRESSURE TABLE 2: PUMP RUNS, WEAK or NO WATER PRESSURE
• WATER PRESSURE TABLE 3: PUMP RUNS, NO WATER or INSUFFICIENT WATER
  

On 2018-04-13 15:43:03.598474 by marv

lately my pump runs for ever/ I replaced the switch and checked the line coming from the pump to the switch. I saw a drip from the bottom of the pump and cant get it to stop it has a glass type sears pump.

also I replaced the pressure tank as after 30 years the bladder had a hole in it. the new one I got had a plastic outlet for the pipe and I wonder if it is leaking even though I put tape on threads but was afraid to tighten to tight as braking the plastic.

the pump will shut off but it seem to run a lot longer then it did before I didn't like the plastic bottom. will these drips cause my pump to run forever seems like anyway. also if I shut off the valve so no water goes to the house It will shut off after a long time

On 2018-02-12 02:10:20.897000 by (mod) -

You could have a blocked strainer or clog football or a check valve installed in the wrong direction

On 2018-02-12 00:06:44.851958 by George

I recently had a new jet pump installed. The contractor also installed a check value. The intake line now has a vacuum on it? Any thoughts on why this would occur?

On 2018-02-06 14:46:47.372516 by (mod) -

Thank you for the follow-up, Mike. That will help other readers.

Sometimes a pressure switch won't turn on because debris clogs its sensor port. On occasion that same silt or rust debris can clog the tube conducting water pressure to the switch.

The symptoms, loss of water pressure, can be similar to loss of prime, but it's pretty easy to distinguish the two. With water turned off to the home if we see water pressure continue to drop we know there is a leak in well piping or a leaky foot valve.

On 2018-02-06 13:30:46.845585 by Mike

,

After doing some more investigation I found it was the pressure switch not turning on when reaching it's low pressure setting. Replaced the switch which had corroded quite badly over the years and presto everything is back to normal. Hope this might help someone else.

On 2018-01-31 04:53:49.351671 by (mod) -

Mike,

Try turning the water off into the building. If with the water into the building shut off you see the pressure in the tank falling then we have either a leak in well piping or a leak at the foot valve or check valve.

There are other causes for intermittent loss of water pressure - if you search this website using the search box above for that phrase you will find those other diagnostic suggestions.

On 2018-01-30 12:37:34.585520 by Mike

Three times in the past month we have woke up with no running water. We prime the pump and all is good for a while

. I don't see any indication of a leak in the house and I'm hoping there are some other things we could check before having to consider looking at the foot valve since the previous owner has it partially buried under a gravel driveway and the ground is frozen. Thanks in advance!

On 2018-01-14 01:19:35.884243 by (mod) -

If your well has lost prime and there is no pressure in the system a gauge reading 60 is stuck and needs replacement.

When you can't prime the well I worry that there's a leak in the well piping or a bad check valve that's simply letting your prime water flow out into the well. You may need your plumber to pull the well pipes.

On 2018-01-12 18:53:44.478760 by Lois

I have a 50 ft. shallow well with double pipes into the well. I can't get my pump to prime and the pressure gauge is at 60 but for some reason the 'face' of the pressure gauge is now cracked also

. I've used more than 5 gallons of water trying to prime the pump but without any luck. One of the pipes from the tank had cracked due to freezing weather and was replaced.

I'm not sure the pressure gauge is accurate and also from reading other posts, wonder if I might need a new foot valve. Before this, have had no issues with priming the pump at all. I brought, and had installed, a new pump, pressure gauge and switch, and tank last summer. It's been almost 2 weeks without water and am getting desperate. Could anyone please help me with this?

On 2017-12-21 03:13:36.835058 by Amber

I have a deep well. Today my pressure dropped from 35 to 10 and I had no water to my home. We primed the pump but it took only like 8 to 16 oz of water to get it going again. Then a couple hours later it did it again. We reprimed with little water once again and it worked again. What could be causing this to happen?

On 2017-09-28 20:24:20.111941 by (mod) -

Larry,

Indeed, if you are talking about a single line jet pump, and if the foot valve is leaking, or if there is a leak anywhere in the well piping between the foot valve in the pump, and it may be difficult or impossible to successfully prime the pump and get it running.

If when you try to prime the pump you can pour an endless amount of water into the prime opening without ever feeling the pipe and pumping chamber than there is probably a leak.

If on the other hand the pumping chamber is filled with water but the pump doesn't move water I suspect that the impeller is damaged or broken

On 2017-09-28 19:34:57.062276 by Larry

I have been trying to get my mother-n-law's water running. The will run but will not pump water. We have tried priming several times and it still don't pump water. We even hooked up a different pump motor to see if that would solve the problem. My question is, does that sound like the foot valve/check valve?, and if so then how can we check the valve? If it sounds like a different problem then can you please explain as I am stumped.

On 2017-09-28 19:34:44.013104 by Larry

I have been trying to get my mother-n-law's water running. The will run but will not pump water. We have tried priming several times and it still don't pump water. We even hooked up a different pump motor to see if that would solve the problem. My question is, does that sound like the foot valve/check valve?, and if so then how can we check the valve? If it sounds like a different problem then can you please explain as I am stumped.

On 2017-09-28 19:31:50.767082 by Larry

I have been trying to get my mother-n-law's water running.

The will run but will not pump water. We have tried priming several times and it still don't pump water. We even hooked up a different pump motor to see if that would solve the problem. My question is, does that sound like the foot valve/check valve?, and if so then how can we check the valve?

If it sounds like a different problem then can you please explain as I am stumped.

On 2017-09-28 19:31:38.759747 by Larry

I have been trying to get my mother-n-law's water running. The will run but will not pump water.

We have tried priming several times and it still don't pump water. We even hooked up a different pump motor to see if that would solve the problem. My question is, does that sound like the foot valve/check valve?, and if so then how can we check the valve? If it sounds like a different problem then can you please explain as I am stumped.

On 2017-09-28 19:31:05.415035 by Larry

I have been trying to get my mother-n-law's water running. The will run but will not pump water. We have tried priming several times and it still don't pump water. We even hooked up a different pump motor to see if that would solve the problem. My question is, does that sound like the foot valve/check valve?, and if so then how can we check the valve?

If it sounds like a different problem then can you please explain as I am stumped.

On 2017-05-21 17:32:51.275649 by (mod) -

Shihari,

First let's confirm that you have checked by turning off of valve that would allow water to leave the tank and enter the building it serves, thus you eliminated any possibility of a hidden leak on the using side of the tank.

If you've done that, then we know that there is a leak on the water entry side of the tank. That will have to be either a leaky check valve somewhere in the system or a leak in the piping between the water source and the tank.

On 2017-05-21 17:26:14.405448 by Shihari

Once the water is pumped to rhe overhead water tank electrically, after 2 hrs time, theres no water in the tank, without using the water, what has happened? Where is the peoblem?

On 2017-04-28 23:27:50.250749 by (mod) -

Richard,

The foot valve would not be expected to change the cut-off pressure at all. It's just a check valve that avoids losing well prime. Perhaps the prior conditions damaged the pump or its impeller, or perhaps your pressure gauge is inaccurate.

On 2017-04-28 00:49:35.729503 by Richard

After installing new foot valve in a shallow well my pump wentfrom 60 pi cut off to 45 psi what is the cause.

On 2017-01-28 00:26:10.099390 by Arnold

I'm loosing pressure in the shallow well pump no leaks in house,replaced foot valve??

On 2017-01-01 19:13:00.303444 by (mod) -

Larry,

Could be low water in the well, low flow rate, pipe leak, or failing pump. Search InspectApedia.com for WATER PUMP WON'T STOP RUNNING to see causes and cures.

On 2017-01-01 by Larry

Pump won't build but thirty lbs. Of pressure ?

...

Continue reading at FOOT VALVES - topic home, or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see FOOT VALVE DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR FAQs-4 - more-recent Q&A about foot valves on water wells

Or see these

Recommended Articles

• CHECK VALVES, WATER SUPPLY, DRAINS, PUMPS
• FOOT VALVES - home
• WATER PUMP INTERMITTENT CYCLING
• WELL PIPING CHECK VALVES
• WELL PIPING LEAK DIAGNOSIS

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FOOT VALVE DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR FAQs-3 at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.

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INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to WATER SUPPLY, PUMPS TANKS WELLS

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