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• Where do we find the water system check valve (if any) and why are check valves used on pump and well systems?
• Well pump & water tank diagnosis & repair procedures

This article describes Where do we find the water pressure tank drain valve on a private well, tank, and pump system, how is it used, how to repair leaky valves Readers of this document should also see Water pump and pressure tank repair diagnosis & cost an specific case which offers an example of diagnosis of loss of water pressure, loss of water, and analyzes the actual repair cost. © 2008 Daniel Friedman, All Rights Reserved. Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge is at below-left. Use links at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website.

WATER WELL, PUMP, & TANK CHECK VALVES

A check valve may be installed between the incoming water line from the well and the water pump and pressure tank, such as shown in this photograph of a one line jet pump with a check valve right at the water pump inlet. You can see the check valve as a bronze assembly at the face of the pump, connected to well piping in this photo. (A similar check valve is visible closer to the foundation wall in a different water pump installation shown in the page top photo.) You'll notice that this is a one-line jet pump system with the inlet or suction line from the well running horizontally from the face of the pump, and the outlet water line rising vertically off of the pump assembly. The pump's electric motor is at the rear of the assembly. (You can see corrosion and leaks on the water line rising from the pump assembly.) The water pump check valve helps avoid loss of prime (it keeps water from flowing backwards out of the pump and water tank and back into the well when the pump motor has stopped). This helps assure that the jet pump can suck water out of this shallow well - most water pumps cannot move water if the inside of the pump assembly itself is air bound. Atop some pump assemblies you'll see a removable pipe plug which permits water to be poured into the pump to prime it. (DO NOT pour water into or onto the electric motor itself.) In summary, a check valve prevents water from siphoning back out of the water tank and water pump and down into the (presumably lower) water well when the pump stops running. A check valve at this location is a great idea and reduces the risk that a failure of the foot valve down in the well leads to inability of the pump to draw water. The foot valve s located at the bottom of the well piping and intended to accomplish the same thing. This is "cheap insurance" or perhaps the foot valve has already failed (or was omitted) at this installation.

Check Valves on Municipal Water Supply Piping

You may see check valves installed on municipal water supply piping too, to prevent possibly unsanitary water from inside a building's piping from back-flowing into and contaminating the municipal water supply system piping during a time of loss of municipal water pressure. Check valves installed at the right location on water system piping are a good idea.

Water Tank Maintenance & Repair Chapter Index

Use links just below or at the left of each of the pages at our website to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website.

PLUMBING TOPICS
OIL TANKS
SEPTIC SYSTEMS
WATER PRESSURE REPAIR GUIDE & COSTS
WATER PRESSURE LOSS DIAGNOSIS GUIDE
  WATER PUMP PRESSURE CONTROL ADJUSTMENT
  WATER PUMP PRESSURE CONTROL REPAIR
WATER PUMPS & TANKS & WELLS
WATER PUMP CONTROLS & SWITCHES
  IDENTIFY WELL PUMP TANK COMPONENTS
  MAIN WATER SHUTOFF VALVE
  PUMP ELECTRICAL SWITCHES
  PUMP PRESSURE CONTROL
    WATER PUMP PRESSURE CONTROL ADJUSTMENT
    WATER PUMP PRESSURE CONTROL REPAIR
    WATER PUMP PRESSURE CONTROL REPLACE
  PUMP RELAY SWITCH
  TANK AIR VOLUME CONTROLS
  TANK AIR INLET VALVE
  TANK PRESSURE GAUGE
  TANK DRAIN VALVE
  TANK RELIEF VALVE
  CHECK VALVES
PUMP TYPES & LIFE EXPECTANCY
WATER PUMP & TANK SAFETY
WATER SUPPLY & DRAIN PIPING
WATER TANK TYPES: WATER, OIL, EXPANSION, ALL
WATER TANK LIFE EXPECTANCY
WATER TANK REPAIRS
WATER TANK AIR, HOW TO ADD
WATER TANK PRESSURE CALCULATIONS
WATER TANK SIZE & VOLUME
WATER TANKS HOW THEY WORK
WATER TESTING
WELLS CISTERNS & SPRINGS
WELL, PUMP, TANK LIFE EXPECTANCY

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