cannot get water out of cistern

[Selgea]

We have a 10,000 gallon cistern and 3 days ago it ran out ofwater unfortunately it is the ONLY water source for the house. We do have a guy who comes and filles it when needed but only 1000 gallons. We have run out before occasionally we had to prime the pump, which we did this time. The pump runs constantly and we cannot get any water to the house. There is water coming to the pump which I found out when a hose came off, i replced the hose. I checked to make sure the valves to the house hadnt been closed and it was not. It is like it pumps to the pump, but then will not reach the house, as though theres a blockage. Where do I go from here?

[Gary Slusser]

Very probably the pump ran dry and that burnt it up (melted the impellors), or something, dirt etc. is blocking the jet in the pump.

[Selgea]

It is quite possible, when water ran out wife left pump running for possibly hours. I came home and heard it running generaly it runs in short bursts. This time it was running for awile. However when I undid the piperunning to the pump I was surprised to be showered with quite alot of water, which to me would say its pumping something just not going where it should.

[Gary Slusser]

OK. What do you think is preventing the water from going where it should?

IMO it was full of water from draining the house back into the pump but... did she turn any valves etc.? If not the pump is shot or the jet is blocked.

[Selgea]

What I'am doing now is taking all the hosees from the pump off to see if it is pumping or not inbetween talking here...where the pump is is not a fun place to get into or work. I'am re-priming the pump then in about 10 minutes after making sure there are no leaks I'm going to check if the pump is pulling water from the cistern. If that is working I can only suspect that there is some sort of blockage in the line out from the pump. However it wouldnt be the pump because I took the out put off as well and it flows fine.

[Selgea]

OK there is water coming from the pump although I have no pressure 10 right now. I'm going to let it run and see if it builds up. i forgot to mention one thing that might have been important. When we primed the pump after getting the cistern filled one of the black PVC pipes out from the pmp burst! I've seen them split, crack but this actually put a hole as though it bubbled out till it broke. Back to the pump...as I said it is running but it doesnt sound well either. It goes from sounding normal to almost a straining sound. Since this is the only water source we cant turn it off unless absolutely imperitive. How long should it take for the sytem to build up pressure?

[Gary Slusser]

Yeah, I know, you don't want it to be the pump but, it's the pump and you're wasting time on a Sat evening.

[Selgea]

Not much else to do till tomarrow now anyway...cant take a shower. Unfortuanely by the time I could get to anywhere to get a pump they would be closed(ACE etc.) & since I'm babysitting (sorta) till 8 I wont be able to get to Lowes either.
In any case why am I not getting water to the toilet but everything else is fine?
Funny thing is that the pump has actually started working ok nomore over heating ..but still no toilet water

[Gary Slusser]

Then maybe it's ok.

[Selgea]

I havent taken the toilet valve apart yet, had to make dinner for he kids! I'm still not getting anything in the toilet.
The cistern has a jet pick-up, which I know becaue since it was empty I went down there to get out somethings my 7 yr old had put in it. I push on it to see how well it was working and it was fine. However since I'm having problems with the toilet it makes me wonder if this thing is picking up pebbles. I found pepples in that pipe I had to replace. Yet Everything else is working fine!

[Gary Slusser]

Yes it could be a pebble causing the pump and toilet problems.