Kibkom North Cyprus Forum

Does anyone have any ideas why my domestic water pump keeps going on and off even when I am not using water? Seems to come on in 5 min intervals for about 10-15 secs. Have checked the water tank on roof and ballcock and solar panels all seems OK ...

Many thanks

I am fairly sure that it is your non-return valve which has failed.

We had the same problem, it drove us nuts, we left it off and just popped it back on once a day to fill the header tank up.

Not an expensive problem to get fixed. Lots of good plumbers around, just a tip though, make them stay around long enough to make sure it IS fixed, our plumber hared off so fast and he had done the job badly and had to come back to fix it again!

Thanks very much will have a look!! Yes it does drive you nuts!!!

It might also be worth checking your toilet(s) as if the hard water has got at them, they might not be sealing after each flush and leaking water into the toilet causing the pump to keep coming on.

Sandford is probably correct. If you cant see if the water is running into the toilet just put some food colouring in the cistern and you will soon know, or if you have the type with water inlet taps to the cistern, just turn them off and listen for the pump.

Mine did this and I took the flushing mechannism out and soaked it in Anti Scale fluid (same as you put in the kettle or iron available in the markets) and then using an old tooth brush or the wifes (never use your own LOL ) give it a good scrub and clean any of the seals you may find in the mechanism. At the same time clean the inside of the cistern where the mechanism locates, as scale can be found there too. I do this annualy and the problem has never returned. Also once you have proven this is the cause buy (from Lakeland) a small device that you pop in the cistern of each toilet and it stops scale. (check them out on the Lakeland site they are called anti scale pods I think) , they really work!!

http://www.lakeland.co.uk/22577/Anti-Limescale-Pods

Sandford wrote:It might also be worth checking your toilet(s) as if the hard water has got at them, they might not be sealing after each flush and leaking water into the toilet causing the pump to keep coming on.

I agree, more than likely your toilet syphon thingy leaking a trickle of water into the pan which causes the float valve to open, thus calling on the pump to supply more water. Look into the toilet for a minute or so, preferably with the light on and see if the water ever so slightly ripples now and again, if it does, that's your problem.

You can check if the toilet is leaking simply by placing a sheet of toilet paper across the back of the pan - you will see immediately. It doesn't need a big leak to cause the pump to run frequently.

You should also check the ballcock and valve in the toilet - if it is letting in a little bit of water (even though it is full) then that will have the same effect on your pump. Immediately after flushing it will not show externally, but eventually the relief pipe simply directs the overflow water into the pan and it will look the same as leakage through the flushing mechanism.

Thanks for all the replies - have cleaned all the seals and so far so good - it has stopped!! Brilliant!!