Problem with Stuart Turner water pump

fptosca

My house has a Stuart Turner water pump and I have noticed it coming in a lot even when no tap is running. I actually turned off all taps but it didn't make any difference. It progressively got worse and it now kicks in every minute or so.
I've been told that the problem could be that the vessel is full of water, when it should be half water half air. Does it sound as the cause of the problem?
If so, is it a DIY fix (instructions please...) or do I need to get a plumber?

gdavis

check toilets in the house,lift cistern lid off and make sure ballcock is closing completely when cistern fills and is not passing slightly.

SmallBalls

If its not the toilets, could be the vessel or it
could be the non-return stuck open.

fptosca

gdavis wrote: »

check toilets in the house,lift cistern lid off and make sure ballcock is closing completely when cistern fills and is not passing slightly.

Thanks. Just done that and the pump still kicks in. I completely closed the water on the toilet but didn't solve the problem

fptosca

SmallBalls wrote: »

If its not the toilets, could be the vessel or it
could be the non-return stuck open.

Thanks. Where can I find the non-return stuck?

SmallBalls

fptosca wrote: »

Thanks. Where can I find the non-return stuck?

It's in the pump itself so don't know if you'd tackle it yourself?

Something else you can check first, the 2 inlet pipes should
have valves and the two outlet pipes should also have valves.
Shut off the 2 valves on the outlet side of the pump. If the problem
persists, then you know it's definitely the pump and nothing leaking
in the house.

Edit: just found this which might help if your changing non-return.

arteta10

if its not the pump good chance of it been a pipe leaking underground:(:(

fptosca

thanks smallballs. I got help from a neighbout and did as you advised and the problem persisted, so it looks like it's the pump.
He tried to release air from the vessel and none came out. Then he tried to pump air into it but none goes in. He reckons the vessel is full of water.

sullzz

fptosca wrote: »

thanks smallballs. I got help from a neighbout and did as you advised and the problem persisted, so it looks like it's the pump.
He tried to release air from the vessel and none came out. Then he tried to pump air into it but none goes in. He reckons the vessel is full of water.

The vessell needs to be empty of water when pumping it up , you can unscrew it from the pump to do this , if you need to replace the vessell you dont need to get an exact replacement from stuart turner , you can get a standard 8l vessell and use a 311 into the pump and a piece of copper between it and the new vessell , it should work out cheaper .

fptosca

A friend helped me to change the vessel and the pump seems to be working fine since. Fingers cross it will last....
Thanks all for your tips