Well Jet Pump Check Valve

What they are how they work and why they must.

Well jet pump check valve.

To keep water in the pump and plumbing system from flowing back down. Atop some pump assemblies you ll see a removable pipe plug which permits water to be poured into the pump to prime it. At some point this will reduce the pressure in the pressure switch causing the pump to cycle back on to increase the pressure. Because shallow well jet pumps use water to draw water they generally need to be primed filled with water before they ll work.

For those that don t pump installers usually install a check valve in the well immediately above the submersible pump. As long as a check valve or foot valve is installed on the suction pipe and you never lose suction you should not need to re prime the pump again. Use a small screwdriver to depress the air valve to see if water comes out. Here is a link to an online discussion about the advantages and disadvantages of multiple check valves.

See well piping foot valves for details about this component. This is called intermittent pump cycling. In this video chris shows you what steps to take to troubleshoot a jet pump that is losing pressure. Leaks in piping or valves.

If you keep losing prime at the water pump where a two line jet pump is installed it s probable that a check valve at the pump or more likely at the foot valve in the bottom of the well needs to be replaced. Having an elbow tee check valve or other disruption too close to the inlet of the pump can cause cavitation inside the pump. Steps to prime a shallow well pump. Turn the pump off and disconnect it from electrical outlets.

Some installers but not all also install an indoor check valve near the pressure tank. Buy a check valve. Inspect the pump and connectors for damage or cracking. The check valve helps assure that the jet pump can suck water out of a shallow well most water pumps cannot move water if the inside of the pump assembly itself is air bound.

Check the pressure tank s air valve unscrew the plastic cover from the air valve on the top of the tank. A leaky foot valve or check valve allows water to drain slowly down the well piping and flow back into the well.