Housekeeping

In order to ensure wear is kept to a minimum, simple checks and housekeeping can be done.

Keep dust to a minimum in the pump house. Dust entering the housing during operation will accelerate wear of shafts and bearings. Ensure water is kept out of the pump house, repair leaks and ensure drains are free to carry unexpected leakage away. High humidity and water will cause corrosion and reduce the life of metal parts.

Servicing the pump

The foot valve is found at the end of the suction line usually floating in the dam or fixed to the bottom of the river or stream. Its purpose is to maintain water in the suction line. When the pump stops operation the foot valve closes and prevents all the water in the suction line from running out.

If sticks, weed or other obstruction get caught in the valve and the water does run out, many pumps cannot pull the water back up the suction line.

In these cases the obstruction must be removed and the foot valve repaired if damaged. Then the pump has to be primed again.

This usually means filling the suction line with water from inside the pump house.