View Full Version : Well takes long to pump water
jjputz
Jun 30, 2014, 08:41 AM
I have a shallow well for watering the lawn. I turn on the pump and a little water comes out of spigot. I close the spigot for a couple minutes and turn it on then air comes out. I let the pump run for about 10 minutes then it will pump water the rest of the day. I'll turn it off then the next day it takes another 15 minutes to start running again. What should I do or try to fix this problem.
speedball1
Jun 30, 2014, 11:05 AM
More details please! You do not have a check valve and a bladder tank in your system? Can you explain your system has and how deep your well is. Back to you, Tom
jjputz
Jul 6, 2014, 01:02 PM
The system does not have a bladder the wells about 20 ft deep in Florida just used to water the lawn. When the water first comes out it's dirty then clears up. It can run all day once it starts. But when first comes on water trickles out spits air I'll turn the faucet off and wait about 10 minutes turn the faucet on and the water will start to come on
jlisenbe
Jul 6, 2014, 08:09 PM
Perhaps you have no checkvalve, so the pump is losing prime between uses. At 15 feet to water, the pump might eventually prime, but it takes a while. If this is a driven well, then putting a footvalve on is not an option, but you could put a CV between the pump and the wellhead. It is also possible that you have a CV that is not functioning properly and needs to be replaced.
jjputz
Jul 7, 2014, 07:46 AM
Oh man forgot to put in there that I do have a check valve and it seems to be functioning correctly - don't laugh- I took it out and blew hard into it and it would only open the correct way - is there a better way to check this or should I just install a new one?
jlisenbe
Jul 7, 2014, 04:52 PM
Since you have it off, I'd replace it. Even a small leak would cause problems.
But if you want to, put it back on, and then prime your pump. Fill the housing full, and then walk away for an hour. When you come back, the water level in the pump housing should be the same as when you left. If it is, then your CV is probably OK.
Short of that, next time you plan on using the pump, just unscrew the plug and see if there is water in the housing. If there is, then the CV is working and prime is not the problem.