Lake-Fed System Prime Failure: Check Valve at End, Suction Line Leak, or Stuck Valve

New Lake Suction Line with Long "Can": Can't Get Prime

System worked. New lake feed pipe with long intake "can." Check valve installed (was on old line). Priming with hose → trickle at heads. Suction pipe full of hose water. Check valve correct.

Check Valve Placement

Foot valve (check valve) must be at very end of suction line. Suction line should not sit on lake bottom (debris). Elbow up or use milk crate trick.

Suction Line Must Be Airtight

Check all threaded fittings, unions. Suction line should be 1 size larger than discharge (e.g., 1.25" out → 1.5" in).

Other Possibilities

• Leak in system using too much water
• Stuck valve running multiple zones

Run system, watch for leaks or multiple zones on.