| The other day the electricity to our 60 year old | | | | Note: Only do step 1 or 2, not both together. |
| house here in Florida went out for the first time in | | | | There should be only one opening exposed. |
| all those years thanks to Mother Nature. In due | | | | 3. After performing steps 1 or 2, restart the |
| course our water pump decided to take a break | | | | pump. |
| from us as well. So, I decided to share a gem of | | | | Water should gush from the opening that you |
| knowledge with the world on how to fix an older | | | | unscrewed. This is called priming the pump, when |
| water pump before you pay the plumber. | | | | you put water back into the pump to get rid of |
| The problem with our water pump occurred when | | | | the air in the pump so that the pump can function |
| our electricity was reinstated to the house. The | | | | properly: pumping water and not air. |
| pump was not functioning though electricity had | | | | Should this method not work then you may have |
| been restored to it. We called our uncle nearby to | | | | an additional problem, one that I encountered. |
| help restore the pump and thus began a learning | | | | According to our neighbor when electricity goes |
| process: priming a water pump. | | | | out at a house it may disrupt the "air valve" on |
| This is what I learned: | | | | the water tank. |
| First, My uncle could not fix the pump. Instead, | | | | To check for this, what you need to do is find |
| we had an old hand down the street come show | | | | the air valve. Unscrew the air valve only from the |
| us how to do it: | | | | small pipe. Clearly stated: the small pipe needs to |
| There are apparently two ways to prime a pump | | | | remain connected to the water pump itself but |
| and several things you should watch for. | | | | not to the air valve. |
| First turn off the pump, whether there is a switch | | | | Next, block the opening of that small pipe by |
| or you need to unplug the pump. | | | | placing your finger over it where the air valve |
| 1. Unscrew the top bolt on the water tank itself | | | | used to be and try priming the pump again with |
| and pour water into the hole until it either reaches | | | | water and turning it on to see if it works. |
| the top of the hole or begins to gush back out of | | | | If the pump does gush water out of the hole |
| the water tank. | | | | from step 1 or 2 this means that your air valve is |
| If you are not able to successfully unscrew the | | | | the problem and it needs to be replaced. |
| top bolt of your older water tank due to the age | | | | Air valves are not expensive. So, do not fret. |
| and rusting of the water tank proceed to step 2. | | | | They are about 10 to 15 dollars at any local |
| 2. Unscrew the Pressure Meter or valve from the | | | | hardware store. |
| water pump machine itself and pour water into | | | | Replace your air valve entirely and voila! prime the |
| the opening until it can be seen at the top of the | | | | pump and you are back in business! |
| hole. | | | | Hope this Helps! |