It will only work properly if you put it very close to the foot valve. In which case you may as well replace the foot valve - it's not difficult to do. If you put it at or near the pump, the pump will just suck air.
foot valve leaking,
A foot valve, in relation to a water well, is a check valve at he bottom of a well to keep the water from running back into the well from the pump when the pump is not running. If the check valve does not hold the water the pump will lose it's prime and will not pump water.
PCV valve may need replaced or the air intake may be leaking. Check for holes in the intake system or vacuum leaks.
You pop the seal and see if it closes properly. If there is any doubt at all, it's easy to change. - If you are operating a jet pump and it won't prime, the foot valve ( just a different check valve ) is always suspect.
To test a foot valve in a shallow well, first ensure the pump is turned off. Remove the foot valve from the well and inspect it for any debris or damage. Submerge it in a bucket of water and manually operate the valve to see if it holds water and creates suction. If it fails to hold water, it may need cleaning or replacement.
faulty foot valve will lead to absence of water column in a line. this gives rise to cavitation in pumps. As a result, suction of pumps is affected.
A foot valve is something that you eat with your foot
To determine if the foot valve or bladder tank is faulty, check for signs of water leakage or air pressure issues. If the bladder tank is losing pressure rapidly or shows waterlogging (water in the tank without air), it may be the problem. Conversely, if the pump runs continuously or cycles frequently without achieving the desired pressure, the foot valve might be stuck open or damaged. Inspect both components for physical damage, and test the system under operation to isolate the issue.
A foot valve in a water pump system is used to prevent water from flowing back down the pipe once the pump is turned off. It helps maintain the prime of the pump and ensures a continuous flow of water without the need for constant priming.
A well pump can operate without a foot valve, but it will not maintain its prime effectively. The foot valve prevents water from draining back into the well when the pump is off, ensuring that the system remains primed and ready for the next use. Without it, the pump may struggle to draw water and could run dry, leading to potential damage. Therefore, while it may work temporarily, a foot valve is essential for optimal performance and longevity of the pump.
When the check valve failed to seat properly at the lower unit in our well, the reserve tank would drain down quickly and then the pump would run again and again and again, . . . If you have a valve between the pump outlet and the tank you can turn it off to check operation of the tank. Most likely your valve has failed. It did this very often until we had the entire mechanism in the well replaced and installed a submersible pump. No problems since and the submersible pump is hardly audible compared to the old pump motor which was mouted near the well head in the basement. Good luck. Bob Jarnutowski bobjarn (at) hotmail.com Ans 2 - A deep well pump does not have a'foot valve' -they are only on a jet pump. You have NOT told us the exact problem. If the bladder tank is not holding water then you may have a faulty check valve on top of your deep pump. Splits in the pumpdrop line down the well are also common. -The bladder in the tank can also be faulty. -You must tell us ALL symptoms , not just ask about two things you've heard names of. Best solution - call a well tech , NOT a plumber !
To open a stuck foot valve, first, ensure that the pump is turned off and the system is depressurized for safety. You can try to dislodge the valve gently by tapping it with a rubber mallet or using a wrench to apply light torque. If that doesn’t work, consider removing the valve and cleaning it thoroughly to remove any debris or corrosion. Reinstall the valve and check for proper function before resuming operation.