24/05/2020
Pump Troubleshooting Water Pump Problems: Low suction or flow rate
Your water pump is primed and the liquid is flowing… kind of. One of the more common problems with water pumps is a reduced or lower than expected water flow. When you need to dewater the jobsite, low flow means more downtime for the crew, costing money and putting deadlines at risk. Often, low water flow is less about your water pump and more to do with the situation. Below are a few things to review to troubleshoot water pump problems involving low water flow.
Pump Too Far From The Water Source
The greater the distance a pump has to pull the water, the lower the flow rate will be. Get too far from the water source and the more power is dedicated to ‘sucking’ the water and less to discharging, reducing the flow rate.
Typically, pumps should be with 20 feet of the water source. Depending on the typography, how high the pump is relative to the water, the flow may be reduced at even shorter distances. Your pump has individual specification, so be sure you read the spec and operate within them.
Reduction In Supply Line Diameter
Your pump is designed to operate with a certain diameter input line. In some cases, we have seen people attach a smaller than recommended hose or line (using a reduction couplings). Depending on the intake line you use, it is also possible that the line crimps, or is “sucked in” on itself.
A few things to check.
The intake line should be both the recommended size and at least the same size as the discharge lineWalk the intake line from the source to the pump and be sure there are no kinksIf possible use a rigid intake line. Sometime called a non-collapsible hose.
Intake line obstruction
Anything that impedes the water’s flow into the line will cause a reduction in the flow rate.
Debri blockage is a common problem. With murky water it can be hard to see the intake hose. But, operators should check to be sure there is no debris blocking the intake. The blockage usually h
