The right water pump can become an essential ally at home. The benefits that come with a high-quality pump will simplify your life in many ways. However, these devices are not immune to issues that can potentially affect their operation. In this article, we will discuss the most common problems your water pump can face and possible causes and solutions.
Why does my water pump work but doesn’t generate enough pressure?
This problem usually occurs when the water pump is used to fill an elevated tank from a lower water reservoir, and there are various reasons for it. For example, this issue might arise due to a low water level. In this instance, simply bring the water pump closer to the water source.
Insufficient pressure can also occur because of the presence of foreign bodies in the suction or inside the pump. To solve this, check the inlet pipe, the impeller, and the foot valve. Then, remove all the impurities you can find in the water.
Another possible cause for insufficient pressure is the pump losing its prime. The pump must be primed in order to generate enough suction to take water from the source all the way to your home. A water pump can lose its prime due to leaks in the suction or a faulty foot valve. To fix these flaws, you must make sure that there is no air intake. You must also apply enough Teflon tape to the threaded connections or enough glue to the adhesive connections. If necessary, replace the foot valve.
If your water pump is not generating the desired pressure, it is possible that the inlet pipe is too long, the suction line has too many elbows, or the diameter of the inlet pipe is too small. The inlet pipe should be, at least, as big as the pump’s inlet. Regarding the number of elbows, the suction line should only have one. Additionally, the pump should be installed as close as possible to the water source to generate enough pressure.
What to do when my pump will not stop running?
This is another issue you might encounter for different reasons depending on the application and installation of your pump. If the pump is being used to fill an elevated tank from a lower water reservoir and this failure occurs, the solution is to properly install a float switch that will stop the pump once the tank has been filled.
If the pump is being used to boost water pressure at home through an electronic controller and you notice that it does not stop running, the possible causes could be the following:
Faulty home appliances: When appliances such as toilets, sinks, showers, or sprinklers have leaks, your water pump will not be able to stop. This problem could also be caused by small leaks in the piping. To verify if this is causing the problem, turn off your home’s main water supply. After doing so, check if the pump stops running. If it does, turn the water supply back on, check which appliance or pipe has leaks, and contact a qualified professional to repair it.
Insufficient pressure or flow: The proper operation of your water pump requires a minimum quantity of water and a minimum water pressure. When these requirements are not met, your pump will not stop running. Get in touch with a qualified professional to make sure that your pump is operating with the right pressure and the right flow.
If your pump is being used to boost water pressure at home through a pressure system and it does not stop running, the reason could be a poorly adjusted pressure switch. If the pressure switch is faulty or set at a shut-off pressure that is higher than the pump’s maximum pressure, your water pump will not be able to stop running. In this scenario, the solution is to hire a professional that can replace the pressure switch or set your current pressure switch to the right shut-off pressure. Check out our article How to Adjust a Pressure Switch on a Water Pump for more information on this topic.
What are other common water pump problems?
Below, you will find a few common issues that your water pump could face:
The motor works intermittently or overheats: This could be due to faulty electrical connections or broken cables. This might also happen because the voltage at the place of installation is different from the pump’s voltage.
Leaks between the body of the pump and the motor: This problem occurs when the mechanical seal has been damaged.
Irregular noise: The reasons for this issue might be worn-out bearings, a loose impeller, or the presence of foreign bodies on the inside of the pump.
Whenever you come across any of the previously mentioned problems, contact a specialized technician to locate the cause of the failure and fix it accordingly.
If you want to learn more about water pumps and pressure systems, feel free to browse through our website.