How to fix leaking vinidex pipe on rainwater tank?

[jrodgee]

G’day,

We’ve sprung a leak off the bottom of our rain water tanks. I’ve replaced all the pipes, and reconnected with washers. However, there is still a dripping leak as shown. It is at quite a difficult angle and I had lots of trouble screwing on cap to secure. Please assist!

[Jewelleryrescue]

Hi @jrodgee 

You clearly have  done all the right things just looking at you photos.

I might use 10 turns of plumbers  tape as a minimum.

Some times we can over tigthen a washer up and it distorts and  leaks when we think we  did right job.

Failing all that silicone the hell out of it .  Silicone will undo if  needs be .

[jrodgee]

Thank you. I think I’ve now fixed all the leaks, but have a pump problem!  If water is not coming through, can a pump start making a weird noise and stop working?  Have we got a blown pump now?

[Jewelleryrescue]

Hi @jrodgee 

I am glad you solved the water leak  especially with tank water.

I know that feeling chasing a series of problems  one after the  other.

Pumps can  vary in operation so that means to  fault list will change too.

What sort of  pump is it?  And  what is its use. 

For now I am going to assume a  Constant pressure pump taking the water out of the  tank and for house hold use or  garden hose pressure.

Hi @jrodgee  just in case  others new to tanks and  pumps  are interested in reading about pump issues I will  ask the more basic questions first.

Has your tank got enough water left in it to flow into the pump or the valve open

Can  open a tap some where and try bleed any air of of the line as you might have shut the water off to do your repairs Forming an air pocket around the pump and it will run them stop like you described.  Let the water flow for a minite or so as you might have a pressure storage tank inline that needs to empty before  the air can be pushed  out.

Usually the pumps have a control box  attached to them with fault indicator LEDS dose this sound like your pump.

Hope  this is a simple fix for you,

[jrodgee]

 

Here is a picture of our pump. It pumps the water from the tanks to the house and some external water taps.  Definitely got plenty of water in the tanks!

You will see, there’s a pocket of water underneath the pump that wasn’t there before.

 

Should I bleed the air while the pump is on? From just one tap or multiple?

[EricL]

Hello @jrodgee 

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your question about your rainwater tank and pump.

Can I please request a picture of the entire pump? It appears you have a reservoir tank, would you happen to know if your pump has a primer valve? If it does that valve must be filled with water first before operating the pump. If you fail to prime the pump it will heat up and its automatic stopping system will engage to prevent overheating. This is on the condition that your pump has this feature.

If you can also, please post a picture of the pumps identifying label, we can then try to track down its operating manual. From there you'll have a better idea of how to prime the pump.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

[Jewelleryrescue]

Hi @jrodgee 

You  can open a  tap and turn the pump on to try  bleed any air.

I just though of another possibility the pump may have an inlet filter that is blocked up.

I am surprised it has water around it>.  Possibly a leaking seal and it cant pressurise the reserve tank  and shutting down   Or the leaking seal stopping  water to get the impellor so the pump shuts down.

Thanks  for   photos.

But you house hold has  no running water now?

We need to fix this fast

Go grab a new pump of good quality before  shops  close for xmas. We can play with the old pump later try get a pump with the bigger reserve water tank as the pump will work less and last longer.  The reserve tank may hold 10 litres that means when you fill a glass of water the pump won't turn on every time if you have 20 litre reserve tank you can flush loo and it won't turn on every time,   Not turning on pump all the time saves pump wear and tear. 

Smaller tanks cost less so its a  budget balancing act there.

[jrodgee]

Thank you mate. We ended up getting a plumber around who set up a new pump for us. Thank you again for your assistance!

[Jewelleryrescue]

HI@jrodgee 

Great to hear you have your water restored

Did the  plumber give  any clue as to the fault in the pump after all our speculations?