I think the pump in my house hot water recirculating line is bad. I have a new pump cartridge on order.

Basically, I think the pump is not only making rattling noises but is no longer pumping effectively either; I need to run the water about a min or so on the far side of the house before hot water shows up.

As the pump no longer seems to be working well, I'm guess that either the fins that move the water are broken and/or it's no longer turning.

If the former, I guess I should stop the pump (disconnect power).

Question: if there are pieces missing when I open up the pump, I can assume that they are probably in the water heater (as the next "POU" downstream of the pump). So likely no pieces in plumbing lines.

Still, is it good practice to flush the recirculating line while the pump is apart? If so, how does one do this?

quote:

Originally posted by konata88:

Still, is it good practice to flush the recirculating line while the pump is apart? If so, how does one do this?

The line before the circ pump would be clear. Still, you can isolate the pump, remove it, then open the up-stream valve and let it blow all over the floor for a minute. The other side has washed the pump debris into the WH.

Though you should be able to shut the WH outlet, open the downstream circ pump valve, and blow water back through the line - reversing water direction. Assuming there is not a check valve on it.

But if the downstream valve is working, my guess is that ant debris that may have been in the line got past the valve. Eventually made it into the tank and subsequently disintegrated.

Unless there is a check valve. Then you'd disassemble the check.

Thanks. Yea I was thinking any purging of the line would be unnecessary but wasn’t sure. I’ll jist replace the cartridge when it comes then.

With the pump down, I really appreciate its function now.

I highly doubt the impeller come apart.. more than likely the pump simply has a locked rotor.

Taking an amp draw would give you some idea of what is happening.