To make a long story short, I have two wells, we'll call them well #1 and well #2, both dug and both have problems. I have had a 2 pump system but since pump #1 on well #1 went bad, I now have both wells on remaining pump #2 with a gate valve in each line to select which well I want to use. (Both wells are marginal in this dry spell we're having).
The problem is that once I hooked well #1 onto pump #2 (I have a short length of clear plastic pipe inline inorder to see what's going on) I notice water flowback into the well when the pump shuts off, and prime is lost. When I had well #1 on pump #1, even though it had other problems, this did not happen. Both pumps are identical and have a check valve at their input. I'm thinking the check valve on pump #2 that I 'm now using is defective. I'm certain well #1 has a foot valve at the intake. So, my assumption is that both check valves are leaky and that by replacing the one on the pump, I won't have the backflow and consequently loose prime. I'm guessing that water won't backflow without an air source at the pump, and a correctly operating check valve will ensure that.
My question, well #2 has a foot valve and it apears to be operating ok. Unfortunately, well #2 has some air leakage between the well and the house and bubbles can be seen on the clear plastic input pipe when that well is selected. By replacing the check valve on the pump, will the pump still draw water with 2 check valves inline seeing that I have some air in the line? Keep in mind, it doesn't have to overcome 2 check valves now as it's assumed the one in pump #2 is leaky.
I'm limping along here as I'm on the list for a drilled well the end of October and don't want to spend any more than I have to on the present system.
Thanks!
Gary
The problem is that once I hooked well #1 onto pump #2 (I have a short length of clear plastic pipe inline inorder to see what's going on) I notice water flowback into the well when the pump shuts off, and prime is lost. When I had well #1 on pump #1, even though it had other problems, this did not happen. Both pumps are identical and have a check valve at their input. I'm thinking the check valve on pump #2 that I 'm now using is defective. I'm certain well #1 has a foot valve at the intake. So, my assumption is that both check valves are leaky and that by replacing the one on the pump, I won't have the backflow and consequently loose prime. I'm guessing that water won't backflow without an air source at the pump, and a correctly operating check valve will ensure that.
My question, well #2 has a foot valve and it apears to be operating ok. Unfortunately, well #2 has some air leakage between the well and the house and bubbles can be seen on the clear plastic input pipe when that well is selected. By replacing the check valve on the pump, will the pump still draw water with 2 check valves inline seeing that I have some air in the line? Keep in mind, it doesn't have to overcome 2 check valves now as it's assumed the one in pump #2 is leaky.
I'm limping along here as I'm on the list for a drilled well the end of October and don't want to spend any more than I have to on the present system.
Thanks!
Gary