Well Pump Priming Diagnostic Q&A

Index to all FAQs about priming a water pump
Water pump priming mistakes to avoid

When priming the pump how do I know if the pump and pipes are filled enough?

I have a deep well setup that I'm priming and I have two questions:

1. How do I know when my pump is full including the suction line.

2. Will the water leak down the return/pressure line.

Please send answers to hammond4713@gmail.com On 2019-01-02 by Al

Answer by (mod) - how to know when the well pipes are successfully primed

Al

For a deep well (i.e. deeper than 27ft) using a 2-line jet pump with a venturi in the well at the bottom of the well piping and a jet pump above ground similar to the one I show in my photo here.

Here are priming water quantity details:

Question #1:

If there are no leaky check valves you'd know that you've filled the well piping (presumably through a prime opening in the jet pump impeller casing) by noticing that as you pour water into that opening and into the impeller chamber it no longer disappears - the chamber simply fills to the top and stays there.

As we explain at WATER VOLUME NEEDED to PRIME THE PUMP - how much water will you need? - you can also calculate about how much water should be required.

Question #2:

Watch out: if you put that volume or more into the pump and piping and the water level keeps dropping, then there's a check valve, foot valve, or well piping leak to find and fix.

You're right that it can be difficult to prime a well pipe IF the check valves in the system including in the well are leaky - as then water poured into the piping leaks out into the well and it's difficult to prime the pump.

A temporary solution is to prime the pump using an external source like a garden hose from a neighbour or to pour water like mad into the prime opening and turn on the pump to see if it can draw water and maintain flow.

If those problems of water and prime loss are recurrent you'll need to replace the leaky check valves.

Details are at WATER PUMP PRIMING PROCEDURE

Using Oil to Prime a Water Pump is a Mistake Q&A

Tip: See HOW TO PRIME THE PUMP - detailed steps for pouring water into the pump chamber

We used oil to prime the pump, now we can't get rid of the oil in our water

When our water was turned on this spring the plumber put oil in the water pump to get it primed now we can't get rid of the oil smell coming thru all the water lines and hot water heater. It is a pump hooked up to a water holding tank. Any suggestions On 2017-06-14 by Kathykarn

by (mod) - Suggested procedure to remove oil contamination poured or pumped into a water well

Kathy,

Watch out: do not use oil or anthing other than clean water to prime a well or water pump. The risk is that both the pump and the well may become contaminated.

My opinion is that unless he or she used food-grade oil or olive oil to prime the pump your pump and maybe also your well are seriously contaminated, and that contamination may be costly to remove.

Is your pump a single line jet pump, or a two-line jet pump like the sytem in my sketch? The difference could be important in the if it's a two-line jet pump your plumber pump oil into the well itself, making it harder to remove.

If you have a one-line jet pump system you may be able to remove the smell by draining the water tank and water heater tank and piping and then refilling with clean water and flushing them out.

Only if the plumber actually poured so much oil into the single lift line that he sent it out into the well water will you have to follow the procedure I'll describe below.

Watch out: If your pump is a 2-line jet pump and the plumber filled the pump impeller assembly and down-pipe with oil to try to prime the pump then that oil was forced into the well when the pump began to run.

It can be difficult to remove oil contamination from a water well but not impossible.

First, because oil will normally float to the top of a body of water, if your (in my opinion idiotic) plumber pushed oil down into the well you may be able to remove it by

1. Leaving the in house pump turned off
2. Wait 12 hours or so to allow oil in the well to float to the top of the well water in the well bore or casing
3. Hire a competent well service or drilling or cleaning company who can use an external pump at the well head to pump out the top column of liquid until only clean water is being removed.
4. Flush out the well pipes with clean water
5. Repeat the procedure if necessary

I note that there can be other sources of oil contamination of water wells if there has been an oil spill or oil drilling nearby.

The next time you need to prime the pump don't let that plumber back in your home. I suggest a quick read of this

WATER PUMP PRIMING PROCEDURE

Research on oil contamination of drinking water wells

• Elliott, Elise G., Xiaomei Ma, Brian P. Leaderer, Lisa A. McKay, Courtney J. Pedersen, Chang Wang, Christopher J. Gerber et al. "A community-based evaluation of proximity to unconventional oil and gas wells, drinking water contaminants, and health symptoms in Ohio." Environmental research 167 (2018): 550-557.
• Harrison, Samuel S. "Contamination of aquifers by overpressuring the annulus of oil and gas wells." Groundwater 23, no. 3 (1985): 317-324.
• Hulpoi, Andreea. "Treatment techniques of oil-contaminated soil and water aquifers." (2004).
• Kubicz, Justyna, Adam Pawełczyk, and Paweł Lochyński. "Environmental health risk posed by contamination of the individual water wells." Chemosphere 208 (2018): 247-256.
• Lindén, Olof, and Jonas Pålsson. "Oil contamination in ogoniland, Niger Delta." Ambio 42, no. 6 (2013): 685-701.
• Richards, R. Peter, David B. Baker, Nancy L. Creamer, Jack W. Kramer, D. Ellen Ewing, Barbara J. Merryfield, and Laura K. Wallrabenstein. "Well water quality, well vulnerability, and agricultural contamination in the Midwestern United States." Journal of Environmental Quality 25, no. 3 (1996): 389-402.

Indications that a Water Pump Needs Priming FAQs

Tip: See WHAT IS "LOSS OF PUMP PRIME"? - distinguish lost pump prime from other well and pump problems.

Tip: Also see CAUSES of LOST WELL PUMP PRIME

Jet pump ran constantly with no water delivery after an electrical power outage

After loss of power during a short blackout the Jet pump constantly ran and no water as coming into the house. I attempted to prime the line via an opening on top of the jet pump which house a pressure gauge.

The water would come to the top and blow out of the opening. i continued on with this for days, adding water till it gets tot he top and re screwing the gauge back on then tuning the pump on to no success. I finally decided to check the foot valve and found that it was broken; so I replaced the foot valve; still no water.

I found a crack on the larger pipe where it was connected to the jet pump; so I cut the length of the crack off, then purchased new pipe and cut it to length and attached with a connector. still no water is coming into the house whatsoever and I'm not sure what to do at this point.

I do however hear water coming into the larger pipe when I'm in the man hole that the well originates from and can hear water running back down the well when the pump is shutoff. it's almost like the water is coming up to the pump, but stopping there and not entering the house. (Jan 8, 2013) Billy Ray

Reply: probably a sign of lost prime

Billy Ray,

Often a bad check valve or foot valve is slowly leaking water from the pump back into the well, but because we have electical power, when pressure drops the pump comes back on and restores pressure and water to the water tank often enough that the system never loses prime.

We describe this process as one of th causes

of WATER PUMP INTERMITTENT CYCLING

But when we lose electricity the pump can't keep re-priming itself so we lose prime and lose water.

You may need to prime the system.

If that doesn't work and if we are sure there are no other well piping leaks (check in the well too), then possibly that long run-time on the pump ran the pump dry and damged the motor, bearings, or pump impeller.

Then see - WATER PUMP REPAIR GUIDE

I accidentally cut the water line to my pump and lost prime; now it's pumping air

I have an older 1.5 hp water pump that runs my irrigation system. I accidentally cut the water line going to the pump system and the pump lost prime. Now I'm getting lots of air. On 2020-04-17 by Dawayne

by (mod) -

Dawayne

Well don't feel too bad, there's no foul-up that somebody (usually me) hasn't done before you, so you've got company and also that means there's almost always a solution.

In your photo, that I've edited and post below this note

I don't see a pump priming fitting so if that's the case I suggest

- add a priming Tee where we see that elbow on the water inlet line at the top of the pump

- add a strain relief so your pump doesn't cut that electrical wire and kill someone

and of course you've found and fixed the accidentally-cut water pipe already, right?

Finally, in your original photo below, what's that cover below the coil of orange-red extension cord?

Electrical Power, Air Bleeders, Valves: when to turn on or off during pump priming Q&A

Do l need to shut the valve in to pressure tank before priming my jet pump?

Do l need to shut the valve in to pressure tank before priming my jet pump? On 2019-11-19 by Jeffrey Giamario

by (mod) - no, but add a priming teee to make pump priming easier

Jeffrey

I don't think so. The pressure tank is on the outlet side of your jet pump.

When you open the priming plug to pour water into the jet pump you're pouring water into the inlet side.

Watch out: we don't usually see a shutoff valve beween the well pump and the water pressure tank;

if when the system is in use someone closes that valve, you're removing the water pressure tank and its function from the system.

The result is rapid on-off well pump short cycling that can burn up a pressure switch or damage the pump motor itself.

At HOW TO PRIME THE PUMP - we describe detailed steps for pouring water into the pump chamber - you'll see that you need to turn off power to the pump.

An interesting recommendation by some experts is that after you've filled the pump and pipes with water and before you turn the pump o to try to draw water from the well, if there is an air bleeder on the pump, open that to make the priming procedure easier on the pump.

Some plumbers might open a nearby water valve to try to do the same thing but I haven't tried that.

Do I turn off electricity and close the water shutoff before I prime the pump?

Need to prime the well for my sprinkler system. Do I turn off electricity first and close the shut off valve before I poor water into the little hole.? On 2018-09-22 Chris

by (mod) - yes

Chris:

Key is that the pump is turned OFF before opening a priming plug;

Otherwise if the pump is running OR when the pump turns on with the plug out you could get soaked and water will spray all over the place and you won't be able to get water into the pumping chamber and into the well piping.

When trying to prime a pump to 30 psi do I open the valves in the house or close them?

I am on a farm my well house is a hundred feet or better. I need to know when trying to prime the pump to 30 psi should I open all the valves in the house when trying or shut them all ? On 2017-12-12 by Anonymous

by (mod) - close off water into the building

The pump priming procedure does not pressurize the system to 30 PSI or any other pressure.

Instead what you were doing is attempting to fill the pump impeller chamber and the well piping. As you probably understand that's because if there is air in the system the pump will not be able to move water

See a PRIME the PUMP, HOW TO - there you will find a a description of how to prime the well pump.

I close the house faucets and I close the water valve between water pump and tank and the pipe serving the building until the pump has successfully been primed and runs and rebuilds pressure in the water pressure tank.

Then I open each house fixture long enough to get air out of the remaining piping.

Examples of Pump & Water Trouble that are NOT Lost Pump Prime

Tip: See WHAT IS "LOSS OF PUMP PRIME ? - distinguish lost pump prime from other well and pump problems.

Also see CAUSES of LOST WELL PUMP PRIME

I have water pressure but the pump is running a long time and won't get above 20 psi

A friend came this afternoon and primed the pump . He also added air to the blue tank.

So I have water pressure in the house but the pump is running a long time. Is it refilling the water heater?

I now, have turned the pump off . It was hot. The pressure wouldn't go above 20 even though we were at 45 or so when he left. (Mar 11, 2014) connie

Reply:

Connie,

We can't tell without further diagnosis, but the fact that you are seeing 20 psi of water pressure and are getting water at plumbing fixtures strongly suggests that this isn't a pump priming problem.

Rather: the problem could be

- a leak in the well piping

- low water in the well

- a damaged pump that can't reach full water pressure

- low voltage to the pump

- or water running in the building that you didn't notice

If you turn off water into the building and the pump still can't bring the pressure tank up to pressure high enough to turn off the pump, then the problem has been narrowed down somewhat.

For a diagnostic procedure

see WATER PRESSURE TABLE 2: PUMP RUNS, WEAK or NO WATER PRESSURE

and also see our guidance at WATER PUMP WONT STOP RUNNING

The prime is not lost but the well pump stops

Well isnt losing prime but water flow stops after bout ten minutes. When i check the pump is running and its still primed. Checked for leaks. None. Now what do i try? (Jan 15, 2016) Tracie

Reply: look for low well flow rate or overheating motor

Tracy, turn off your well pump for half an hour.

If water pressure returns then you know the problem is not your pump so that you're well flow rate is very poor and you are running out of water.

There may be a pump protection switch that is turning off the pump to prevent it from being damaged by running "dry" as we explain at

WATER PUMP PROTECTION SWITCH

Water pump won't build pressure above 12 psi

I have a new shallow well pump that will pump water but not build pressure above 12 PSI.

And sometimes fluctuates rapidly between 10-30 PSI. Well has 3 Ft Point (new) and 1 hp new Pump. Why wontit build pressure? 2016/07/18 mark@markawalton.com

Reply:

Mark we list the causes of this problem DIAGNOSE & FIX POOR PRIVATE WELL WATER PRESSURE

I can't tell without more on-site work whether the problem is a well flow rate limitation or a damaged pump impeller, a leak, or low voltage to the pump or someting else.

Watch out: Even though your pump is new, if you ran it "dry" it may have been damaged and could lose pumping capacity.

Well pump can't lift water the required distance even after priming

We have motor pump now we use is priming properly but the motor pump cant pump water up from the sea, the distance of our pipe going to sea is 300 meters away we used also check valve,can you please advise what to do. (May 18, 2016) Anonymous

Reply: here's what to look for

I suspect that the pump impeller is damaged, the piping is leaking, or the pump is under-powered for the lift height. Also check for a stuck check valve.

What to do if Priming the Pump Doesn't Work Q&A

Tip: See our guidance at WHAT IF PRIMING THE PUMP DIDN'T WORK? - what to try next

Also see our detailed diagnostic suggestions at PUMP PRIME, REPEATED LOSS

I primed the pump but still get no water. What might be wrong?

Shallow well is 15 meters deep, 5+ meters of water. A 1hp jet water pump is rated for 22 meters head pressure, but NO water comes out.

Foot valve was checked and working properly. Primed pump using prime hole, after filled with water, water level stayed up.

Returned prime screw, turned on pump...and still very little water for a few seconds, then nothing.

Is pump worn out? What does it take to repair pump? 5/27/14 George McVey 

Reply: try repeated water doses, more water, or opening an air bleeder screw if there is one

George the pump impeller could be damaged, but before replacing the pump I'd try a more thorough priming.

Often if you are filling the pump cavity with water (priming the pump) but the whole line to the well is air-filled, that single water dose isn't enough. The pump quickly draws air into the pumping chamber and is air bound again.

The solution is repeated priming through the pump prime opening, or easier is to use the garden hose hookup for priming as described in the article above.

If your pump has an air bleeder screw open that to make priming easier.

If that still doesn't work see WATER PRESSURE LOSS DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR

Submersible pump + jet pump installed at the same building: keep losing prime

We live in a rural wooded area. with a submersible well pump out side and a jet pump sitting on top of a pressure tank in the basement. Cycles between 30-50 psi. Everytime we lose power, I have to prime it again and it takes about 10 gal into the jet pump than I'm good again.

Doesn't matter if I use no water and the power is only out for an hour, I still need to prime it.

When we do have power, the jet pump gauge drops slowly and will cycle on and rebuild pressure also if don't use any water. I have turned off the water line coming off of the jet pump when the power goes out to avoid losing prime, but that still doesn't work. Im just starting to get annoyed with priming everytime the power goes out.

Do I need to replace the pressure tank? or something in the outside well? (July 13, 2014) Ray

Reply:

Ray

Surely you don't have two pumps,ma submersible in the well and an above ground jet pump. I'm unclearmhowmthat system would work. The rest of your query suggests a leaky foot valve in the well.

See PUMP PRIME, REPEATED LOSS of if you can't keep the pump primed

Self Priming Water Pump FAQs

Tip: See SELF-PRIMING WATER PUMPS - if you don't have water available to prime your pump

Lost well pump prime after broken PVC well pipe: our pump primed itself

My lawn tractor recently broke a PVC pipe coming out of my well pipe. The PVC pipe contained a check valve. I replaced the PVC pipes and check valve, but cannot figure out how to prime this lawn sprinkler system. I removed the cap in a tee at the top of the well and ran water from a hose into the well for some time without noting any difference.

Should the well fill? It has been dry lately. I could and may prime the pump itself, but I imagine that if I haven't primed the well, the pump will not pull water with an air pocket in the well pipe. Any advice?

I called a pump person to come out to prime the system. It was not as hard as I imagined.

We put water in the pump and turned it on. It eventually pulled water up into the sytem.

The pump person had a hand held pump that was attached and used it though I doubt that it was doing that much since the pipes going out of the pump were left open.

So apparently the pump pulls air as well as water. Next time I'll know what to do. (July 15, 2015) William F.

Reply: how the water pump sound changes when the pump and pipes are successfully primed

William:

Thanks for the comments. In fact some pumps can pull a limited amount of air out of well supply piping and can re-prime themselves with a little help.

When water enters the pump the sound it emits changes significantly - usually to a quieter hum.

If I don't hear that sound and don't see water being delivered after a minute or two I turn OFF the pump and prime further.

WATCH OUT: running a pump dry can destroy the impeller assembly or bearings.