we live in the country in the warm months and have a portable pump that takes water from a 15 foot deep well. It feeds water to a toilet and a hot water tank mostly and a sink and shower and washer. We put the pump outside the bathroom and need to know how to start it, thanks!
I'm assuming it is an electric pump? You must be talking about priming the pump. You should add water to the system to create suction.
There are so many different kinds, brands, types of pumps available for the purpose you're stating that it's not even funny, but for the purposes of this forum we will have to assume that it's a standard shallow well jet pump that draws water up from the ground and pushes it out the other side of the pump. Just in case you've never heard of the FOOT valve, it's what we've always called a check valve. It goes in the line coming up from the ground to stop the flow of water going back down the pipe once it's up and past the valve. That's what makes the pump keep it's prime, which is what you're actually asking, how to prime a pump. You'll need to open a pipe going into the top of the pump and pour enough water into it to make sure it's got plenty in the front casing. The pump shouldn't run dry. Once you're sure there's water in the casing then plug in or turn on the pump motor and continue to pour water into the pipe till it starts squirting out the top profusely. Then you can cap up the pipe and it should pump. If need be you can repeat till it catches.
Make sure the foot valve is working. Fill the pump and the suction hose with water. Start the pump. It should pic-up and pump. Its very important that the foot valve holds when the pump shuts down. Good luck
