We're selling our house and it's been sitting vacant for a few months. Over this period, the water has been checked and the pump keeps losing prime. We've had a plumber there four times and each time he gets it to work by priming it, but it doesn't seem that the problem is fixed, and we need it to be resolved for the house to close next week.
The last time it happened, after priming, they left the water on a slow trickle so it would be actively used. It ran fine on a trickle for a couple weeks, but today the realtor found the water pressure was entirely lost and the pump running. (Same thing that keeps happening)
The plumber said he suspected it could be seals on the pump going bad, and wants $1500 to replace the pump. But he's not confident it will solve the problem! Could be foot valve, etc. There has also been some air in the line. Is this indicative of a foot valve leaking?
Any thoughts about how to diagnose or what might be happening here before we spring for yet another plumber visit and possible pump replacement? If I were there, I'd get a 1/2HP pump from Lowes and throw it on myself.
The last time it happened, after priming, they left the water on a slow trickle so it would be actively used. It ran fine on a trickle for a couple weeks, but today the realtor found the water pressure was entirely lost and the pump running. (Same thing that keeps happening)
The plumber said he suspected it could be seals on the pump going bad, and wants $1500 to replace the pump. But he's not confident it will solve the problem! Could be foot valve, etc. There has also been some air in the line. Is this indicative of a foot valve leaking?
Any thoughts about how to diagnose or what might be happening here before we spring for yet another plumber visit and possible pump replacement? If I were there, I'd get a 1/2HP pump from Lowes and throw it on myself.
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