TABLE OF CONTENTS A pump's useful life is determined more by its installation than its quality of manufacture. More pumps wear out because of improper installation and operation than from any other factors. As has been mentioned often in this book, water pump duty is easy pump duty compared to other applications of pumps. Solids handling pumps will, of course, have more maintenance than clear service pumps.
Most water pumps should not have unusual maintenance. The way to avoid maintenance is to install the pumps or pumping systems properly. Almost all pump and pumping system manufacturers have detailed installation instructions that should be followed carefully.
The basic effort in installing this equipment is to conclude with an installation that imposes no external forces on the pumps or pumping systems. This is achieved by setting the pump base properly and connecting the piping and electrical conductors so that no forces are imposed on the finished assembly.
Much agony and frustration would be eliminated if all pumps were checked carefully prior to installation. On some installations, there can be a number of pumps of different sizes. Great care should be made before setting any pumps on their foundations. Following are specific...
