How to cap off water pump?

noralee · 03-20-2016, 05:07 PM

Hello forum friends,

I am needing to cap off my water pump. I have removed the fresh water tank and so have an open water line that for some reason water is backing up to--from the water heater, it appears. Or, when the water is heated it causes pressure to the water pump and through the open line.

Anyways, I need to cap off the line either at the water heater or at the pump. can some one advise the easiest way? I brought this up when I removed the tank a while ago but it got complicated. I'm including some pics for clarity: the pump, the water line to the pump and the water line from the pump--ending in a bucket.

Thank you!

Gene · 03-20-2016, 07:26 PM

I think the easiest way would be to cap the end of the tubing that went into the water tank. That would leave everthing intact for possible future use.

A 1/2 in. Brass PEX Barb Plug from Home Depot or Lowes would work.
SharkBite 1/2 in. Brass PEX Barb Plug-UC514LFA - The Home Depot

Cut off about 1 inch of the clear tubing and take it to HD or Lowes and check the size. If you don't have a PEX crimp tool you will need a clamp like you have at the pump end of the tubing.

noralee · 03-23-2016, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gene

I think the easiest way would be to cap the end of the tubing that went into the water tank. That would leave everthing intact for possible future use.

A 1/2 in. Brass PEX Barb Plug from Home Depot or Lowes would work.
SharkBite 1/2 in. Brass PEX Barb Plug-UC514LFA - The Home Depot

Cut off about 1 inch of the clear tubing and take it to HD or Lowes and check the size. If you don't have a PEX crimp tool you will need a clamp like you have at the pump end of the tubing.

thanks a lot for the specific info. i left it alone for a long time and no issue. then the other night it made a huge mess everywhere (it took me a while to find the water trickling sound since by the window it sounded like it was outside). now it's safe in a bucket and not a drop

do you think if it is some strange pressure thing that pops up every now and then (without causing any real damage) it would, or could, pop the plug or cause damage on the other end where the pressure is produced from?

Gene · 03-24-2016, 06:48 PM

There is a check valve built into the pump that should prevent any flow like you are seeing but sometimes they do leak. The plug should handle any leak back through the pump. If the pressure is really high it would also affect other areas of the plumbing. You should have an external water regulator to keep the pressure under 50 pounds per square inch.

I don't think you will have any problems elsewhere unless the pressure gets REALLY high.

mainah · 03-30-2016, 07:10 AM

The fittings are standard 1/2" remove the fitting from pump and install a 1/2" tapered plastic plug. The pump should not back flow but it does so the best way is to seal the water line and skip the pump.

noralee · 04-13-2016, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gene

There is a check valve built into the pump that should prevent any flow like you are seeing but sometimes they do leak. The plug should handle any leak back through the pump. If the pressure is really high it would also affect other areas of the plumbing. You should have an external water regulator to keep the pressure under 50 pounds per square inch.

I don't think you will have any problems elsewhere unless the pressure gets REALLY high.

thank you, i have plugged it up. i do use a regulator.