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View Full Version : Pressure tank will not fill with water


RileyRob
Jul 21, 2010, 12:49 PM
Brand new pump and new pressure tank have put in new line water seems to
Be going but tank is not filling -- pump is continually running not sure what
The problem is! HELP!

ma0641
Jul 21, 2010, 01:14 PM
Is this a submersible pump? If not, you may need to prime the pump. There should be a 1/2 IP plug on the pump body. Remove the plug and pour water into the pump until it overflows. I know the well doesn't work but run a hose from your neighbor or fill up some milk jugs. Put the plug back and try. Possible the foot valve is plugged-did you lower the foot valve? It may have struck bottom amd is plugged with mud.

RileyRob
Jul 21, 2010, 01:48 PM
We are getting water but is not filling the tank -- it is not a submersible pump. The foot valve is fine. You can hear and see the water but it just won't make it to the tank. I thank you for your quick response.

speedball1
Jul 21, 2010, 05:27 PM
Pressure and bladder tanks don't "fill up" with water. I
M going to assume that you have a bladder tank. Let me explain the function of a bladder tank. Pressure and bladder tanks provide a air cushion that produces water pressure in your system so your pump doesn't kick on every time you draw a glass of water. A bladder tank has a neoprene membrane in the center. As the pump puts water into the bottom half of the bladder tank the membrane compresses the air in the top half. When the pressure reaches the cut off point in the control box the pump shuts down. However you still have between 40 to 50 pounds of pressure pushing the water out to your system. As the pressure drops in the tank when you make a draw the pump kicks on and everything starts over again. In a new bladder tank it takes a little time for the water to build up in the bottom.
To check, take something metal and start rapping at the bottom of the tank and work upwards. You will hear a "clunk" in the bottom half full of water. On the upper half you should hear a "clink" because the upper half should have nothing but air in it. IF the sound doesn't change or changes close to to tank top then the bladder tank must be replaced. Your air setting on the tank should be 2 pounds UNDER the cut in point in the pressure control box. If your pressure control has a 20 PSI cut in and 40 PSI cut out the tank pressure should read 18 PSI. The bladder tank setting MUST be made with the pump off and the system bled down by opening a cold water faucet after you shut the system down at the breaker box. Hope this helps and thank you for rating my reply. Tom

RileyRob
Jul 21, 2010, 06:49 PM
Thank you will be checking this out by I do appreciate your help!

jlisenbe
Jul 21, 2010, 10:45 PM
Riley, the one thing you did not tell us was this: Do you have pressure? What pressure is your gauge reading? It is possible, with a new pump, that your switch is set too high and the pump can't get up to that cut out point. So, when you turn on a faucet, are you getting good pressure, or just a trickle?

JacobSon
Sep 15, 2015, 11:38 AM
Speedball1 **Very helpful and articulate answer. It is clear that you are a senior plumber. I hope if I have plumbing problems you are still around to explain the problem for me. I am unfamiliar with "rating" your reply, but whatever the highest rating is, I certainly apply it to yours.

Thank you for the information

Mike45plus
Sep 15, 2015, 11:57 AM
Rileyrob,
Its possible you have a small piece of debri caught in the nozzel or venturi of the jet assembly; a BB sized particle can get lodged in the venturi tube, and defeat the suction action that sends water to the pump...