As a homeowner dependent on well water, you must ensure that your well pump works efficiently. One way of achieving this is by priming the pump regularly. Priming refers to the process of filling up the suction pipe and impeller with water, creating enough pressure so that the pump can draw up more water from a well into your home’s plumbing system.
While there are various methods of priming a well pump, one common approach is using a pressure tank. In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at how to prime a well pump with a pressure tank and some maintenance tips for optimal performance.
What is a Pressure Tank?
Before delving into how to prime your well pump using a pressure tank, it’s crucial to understand its functions correctly.
A pressure tank stores pressurized air above ground level where it connects to homes’ plumbing systems via pipes. It works by connecting directly to the main water line—the external switchbox or internal control panel communicating with the motor—helping regulate when water gets pumped out and when it stops flowing.
The Benefits of Using A Pressure Tank
Now that you know what exactly defines pressure tanks let’s look at their benefits:
1. Regulating Water Flow: By regulating incoming water flow through holding capacity, they reduce “cycling” caused by high demand within short periods.
2. Reducing The Demand On Your Well Pump: They enable low-pressure pumps as rechargeable reservoirs; thus preventing excessive wear and tear on components caused by frequent cycling.
3. Energy Consumption Reduction: When operational loads shift from peak conditions (i.e., shower time) towards off-peak times (e.g., midnight),energy consumption decreases.
4.Longer Working Lifespan For Appliances And Plumbing Systems: Consistently regulating flow rates while discharging avoids fluctuations in pressures across your house devices such as washing machines or dishwashers which could strain built-in valves leading premature failures instead.
Now that you understand the benefits let’s get to priming.
How To Prime A Well Pump With A Pressure Tank
Step 1: Turn Off The Power Supply
The very first step of any well-pump-related intervention is shutting off power access by switching the circuit breaker found in your electrical service panel. It’s also important to know where the pressure switch is located, either external or internally allowing for control over pump activation and deactivation.
Step 2: Check Your Tank’s Air Charge
To prevent irreversible damage, verify whether there’s ample air pressure capacity in your tank using a tire gauge—ideally around 38-40 PSI maximum and low-pressure cutoff at approx.18 psi are recommended limits for most applications. If not sufficient, utilize an air source like a standard bike pump/compressor – until the required amount has been reached.
Step 3: Open Faucets And Drains In Your Home
An open drain/faucet helps release any residual water left between pipes before turning on a pressured system again. Set fixtures at optimal positions making sure no backup could occur while releasing discharge from plumbing systems entirely; Once prepared, proceed with opening hose/sprinkler valves as necessary depending on intended usage.
Step 4: Switch On Electricity Access
After checking air charge levels filling up plumbing systems with some water flow set-up throughout its workings ensuring all mineral deposits have been flushed away after prolonged disuse periods-Turn back electricity supply back ON!
Still No Water? Repeat Steps One Through Four
There may be instances when following these steps still leaves you without pressurized water within home distribution channels; if this occurs more than twice consecutively check pipe connections leading into wells – maybe leaking somewhere just short of reaching pumps altogether causing loss of suction strength/efficiency when drawing water out resulting in insufficient pressure buildup preventing desired outcomes such as stable flow rates needed to keep functioning correctly under numerous conditions expected across various home systems.
Maintenance Tips for your pressure tank
1. Regular Inspection: Ensure yearly maintenance all around the unit to catch problems before they escalate into more significant issues that could potentially compromise performance standards.
2. Inspect Electrical Components: Check the pump’s electrical components often such as circuit breakers, switches, and wiring to ensure proper operation by deconstructing covering components checking connections integrity replacing any defective parts.
3.Lubrication and Internal Cleaning: Well pumps need lubrication regularly; every six months interval is adequate enough. The job helps remove mineral buildup on internal surfaces that could interfere with optimal functioning as well as rust-related degradation from water contact over time adversely.
4.Pay Attention To Pressure Switches:Troubleshooting may be done if pressure switches appear abnormal readings different from setpoint values affecting its very function entirely-readjust quickly or replace old damaged ones accordingly.
5.Water Source Quality Monitoring: Pay attention towards supply sourced qualities-especially hard water intermittently tested & addressed depending on hardness levels too high causing scale build-up in plumbing system not feeling correctly.
Final Words
Priming a well pump with a pressure tank installed isn’t rocket science – understanding how it functions minimizes equipment failure risks – thereby prolongs lifespan durations while ensuring optimal performance times.
Maintain consistency throughout these procedures annually instilling an effective preventative maintenance approach preventing expensive repairs down the line due to overlooked minor errors manifesting themselves negatively later on—all without much hassle!