I moved into a house with an irrigation pump earlier this year. I have never had one before so not terribly familiar with the set up. But... Worked fine till the beginning of December. Then the pressure switch shorted. I finally replaced it a couple days ago...now when I turn the pump on, it runs but doesn't seem to build up pressure. I ran it for about 4 hrs sun morning then ran the sprinklers on a 2 min test cycle - nothing. The spigot attached to the pump - nothing.
Would it need some priming to get water build up?
I don't think the water source died...we have had plenty of rain?

Any thoughts on a possible solution?

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Posted by LsuFan_1955

Slidell, La

Member since Jul 2013

1893 posts

Posted on 1/2/24 at 2:34 pm to SuperOcean

There should be a fill/air bleed plug on top of the pump housing. Remove the plug and fill the pump with water. Where/what is the water source for the pump?

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Posted by WB Davis

Member since May 2018

2327 posts

Posted on 1/2/24 at 5:49 pm to SuperOcean

Like the other poster said, irrigation pumps typically need the inlet side to be primed (that is, filled with water) to operate. That's why there's usually a one-way foot valve on the intake to keep water from flowing out of the system when the pump isn't running. It's a good idea to check the foot valve every year to make sure it holds pressure.

Our pump inlet line has a tee with a fill valve and garden hose fitting so you can refill the inlet side with water if it loses prime. There's also a valve on the discharge that you can open to reduce the operating pressure and make it easier for the pump to draw water into the intake.

Don't run the pump for extended periods without prime or you'll burn up the motor, pump seals or both.

Drain the pump before any deep freeze or the cast iron pump body could split apart and be ruined.

If you're drawing water from a navigable body of water check the foot valve for zebra mussels. These can accumulate quickly, block the inlet and burn up the pump. Amazon sells a zebra mussel resistant foot valve that's pricey but seems to work.

This post was edited on 1/3/24 at 6:33 am

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Posted by CAD703X

Liberty Island

Member since Jul 2008

87521 posts

Posted on 1/3/24 at 4:44 am to WB Davis

Following.

We also just bought a home with a sprinkler/irrigation system that has a well pump but info is sketchy. I think it's probably pulling from our 4 acre lake but the term "well pump" has the prepper in me curious.

Lake is fed by a spring up the hill which I have yet to explore or get water samples from to see if it's drinkable.

It's an older rainbird system and I would very much like to diy going forward but I think it's mechanical so no app control.

I think the previous owner left everything on the property to be serviced by the local businesses and they bled her dry.

This post was edited on 1/3/24 at 4:47 am

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Posted by WB Davis

Member since May 2018

2327 posts

Posted on 1/3/24 at 6:57 am to CAD703X

Sprinkler pumps that draw water from lakes and ponds usually look like swimming pool pumps but with cast iron pump cases instead of plastic.

Local installers consider Flint & Walling to be the best, but that company manufactures nearly identical pumps that cost much less with the Star Water Systems brand.

We've had good results with both brands.