Here are some ways to minimize priming issues when it comes to your pump.

What To Do When Your Pump Isn’t Priming

Your pump needs to be primed successfully for it to function properly. This is because priming it will remove the air in the pump, as well as its hose, replacing it with fluid to ensure optimal performance levels. If your pump refuses to prime, it’s best to contact a pump repair specialist ASAP.

Don’t Forget to Check Your Pump Before Operation

One of the most common mistakes operators make is assuming their pump is primed and turned on, when in reality, it isn’t. Even if you think you’ve already primed it or someone else has, always double-check to make sure it has been to avoid costly issues.

Suction Line is Too Long

Another common pump-priming issue has to do with when its suction line is too long, making the distance between your pump and its water source too much. One average, the suction line for your pump should be between 20-25 feet.

Water Flow Blockage

When the water flow to your pump is blocked, it can cause serious pump operation issues. It might not even be a total stop, just enough to impact the priming process. If you suspect this is the issue with your pump, check its screen to make sure it’s not blocked and that it isn’t too tight. If the screen looks fine, inspect the hoses to try and locate the blockage.

Worn Gaskets

Another issue that happens a lot to pumps is when they have worn gaskets, causing leaks in the hose connections. Over time, normal wear and tear will force the need for gasket replacement as couplings become worn.

Inadequate Supply of Water

Your pump won’t prime if its average revolutions per minute (RPM) are too low, so ensure that its motor or engine is operating at the correct level of RPMs.

Contact us for more about pump repair solutions!

If you’re in need of pump repair services, contact the team from FloRight pumps and controls online or call (520) 585-4595.

The post Troubleshooting Water Pump Priming Problems appeared first on Flo Right Pump.

For decades, we’ve provided help and support for pumps and controls systems, so we know a lot about helping newcomers get started.  Here are some of the most important things you should know.

The Basics of Pump Engineering

While pumps can be extremely complicated, especially for larger commercial models, a basic consumer-grade pump is actually a very simple device with only three major components.

• An intake pipe or mouth, which will generate suction and pull in liquid when the pump is in use.
• An impeller (like a propeller, but running in the opposite direction) creates the suction, and
• An outflow or drainage pipe then expels the liquid.

This is all kept in a single hard case, usually made of noncorrosive metal such as aluminum, along with a small electrical motor assembly for powering the impeller.

What’s on A Pump Control Panel?

Most pumps come with a small control panel which is used to regulate them, as well as keeping an eye on their performance.  These panels can vary somewhat, but they still usually contain the following features:

• Temperature sensors, since overwork can potentially damage a pump – particularly if it’s pulling a thick or viscous liquid.
• Level sensors, letting you know if the amount of liquid within the pump ever runs too low.
• Flow sensors, which tell you how quickly fluid is moving through the pump.
• Pressure sensors, which measure the amount of internal stress.
• Overload warnings, which will trigger if something goes wrong with the pump and needs to be shut down to prevent damage.

The Most Important Maintenance Issues

On the whole, maintaining a pump is pretty easy.  There are really only a few things to watch out for:

• Lubrication.  The engine and impeller will need lubricants from time to time.
• Internal water levels.  You should never allow your pump to run dry.
• Heat.  A pump that is straining will quickly build up heat, damaging it.

If you have other maintenance issues with your pump, FloRight Pump & Controls can help.  Please contact us with your questions or concerns.

The post Understanding Pump and Control Systems appeared first on Flo Right Pump.