Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you ever wanted to know about pumps, but were too afraid to ask.

• Jet Pumps
  • How to Prime a Jet Pump

    Priming Your Jet Pump

    1. Remove priming plug.
    2. Prime system by filling pump and suction pipe with water.
    3. Replace priming plug loosely.
    4. Turn pump on and make sure pump is delivering water. If no water is pumped within 15 seconds, turn pump off and re-prime.
    5. After pump is primed, tighten priming plug.

    
    

    Important

    The pump housing and piping MUST BE MANUALLY PRIMED (filled with water) the first time, before running the motor, or damage will result that WILL VOID YOUR WARRANTY.

    Note

    On existing deep wells, make sure proper ejector is being used. If ejector does not match pump, the pump may not build pressure and may not prime properly.

  • How to Winterize a Jet Pump

    Winterizing Your Jet Pump

    1. Turn off power supply to your pump.
    2. Open a faucet to drain water from tank. Our pressurized diaphragm tank will allow most water to escape, eliminating potential freezing hazards.
    3. Drain water from pump by opening drain plug on bottom side of pump housing.
    4. Before using the pump again, replace drain plugs and manually re-prime the pump. Your Star pump is a self priming pump after it has initially been primed with water.

    
    

    Freezing causes the casing to crack and is not covered under warranty.

  • Jet Pump Do's and Don'ts

    DO

    • Do fill pump and plumbing with water before start-up.
    • Do make certain all valves and nozzles on both the inlet and outlet sides of the pump are open while pump is in operation.
    • Do install pressure relief valve.
    • Do ground motor, do not ground to a gas supply line.
    • Do wire motor to correct supply voltage. See motor nameplate and wiring diagrams and check voltage of power supply.

    DON'T

    • Don't run pump dry (without water).
    • Don't pump oil, petroleum products, chemicals, cleaning agents or viscous liquids.
• Water Filters
  • Undercounter Taste and Odor

    A. Replacement Items

    Unlike the small cartridge type carbon filters which need to be replaced each month, the Star Deluxe Undersink Filter can last up to three years under normal conditions before carbon replacement is necessary.

    Value Plus Performance	Undersink Carbon Filter	Typical Cartridge Filter	Typical Faucet Mount Filter
    Amount of Activated Carbon	4 lb (1,814 g)	14 oz (398 g)	Less than 1 oz (27 g)

    Carbon filter mineral must be replaced periodically to ensure filter effectiveness. Maximum life is three years. For your three year carbon replacement, order carbon refill kit #136227.

    B. Under-counter Installations

    Typical under-counter filter installation:

    
    

    C. Under-counter Specifications

    Deluxe Under-counter Taste & Odor Filter Specifications

    Service Flow Rate	3 GPM (11.4 LPM)
    Maximum Operating Temperature	100º F (40.8º C)
    Maximum Operating Pressure	80 PSI (551.6 KPa)
    Minimum Operating Pressure	20PSI (137.9 KPa)
    Plumbing Connections	3/8" O.D. Copper or Plastic
    Total Space Required	7" x 20" (17.9 cm x 53.4 cm)
    Approximate Shipping Weight	14 lbs (6.35 Kg)

    
    

  • Removal Capacities of Activated Carbon

    Not an application for Granulated Activated Carbon	0	GOOD - very acceptable results	3
    POOR - not a recommended use	1	VERY GOOD - a proven application	4
    FAIR - limited application	2	EXCELLENT - a proven application	5

    
    

    Aceraldehyde	4	Emulsions	2	Lead	2	Precipitated Sulphur	2
    Acetic Acid	3	Ethyl Acetate	5	Lime	0	Propioic Acid	4
    Acerone	4	Ethyl Acrylate	5	Mercaptans	4	Propionaldehyde	3
    Alcohols	4	Ethyl Alcohol	4	Metal Salts	1	Propyl Acetate	4
    Alkalinity	1	Ethyl Amine	4	Methyl Acetate	4	Propyl Alcohol	4
    Amines	3	Ethyl Chloride	4	Methyl Alcohol	4	Propyl Chloride	4
    Ammonia	1	Ethyl Ether	4	Methyl Bromide	5	Radon	4
    Amyl Acetate	5	Fertilizers	1	Methyl Chloride	4	Rubber Hose Taste	5
    Amyl Alcohol	5	Fluorides	2	Methyl Ethyl Ketone	5	Sea Water	1
    Antifreeze	4	Formaldehyde	2	Naphtha	5	Sediment	2
    Arsenic	1	Gasoline	5	Nitrates	0	Soap	3
    Benzene	5	Glycols	5	Nitric Acid	3	Sodium Hypochlorite	5
    Bleach	5	Hardness	0	Nitrobensene	5	Soluble Iron	2
    Boron	1	Heavy Metals	3	Nitrotoluene	5	Solvents	4
    Butyl Alcohol	5	Herbicides	5	Odors (General)	5	Sulfuric Acid	1
    Butyl Acetate	5	Hydrogen Bromide	2	Oil-dissolved	5	Suphonated Oils	4
    Calcium Hypochlorite	5	Hydrogen Chloride	1	Oil-suspended	2	Suspended Matter	2
    Carbon Dioxide	0	Hydrogen Fluoride	1	Organic Acids	4	Tannins	4
    Chlordaine		Hydrogen Iodide	2	Organic Esters	5	Tar Emulsions	4
    Chloramine	4	Hydrogen Peroxide	5	Organic Salts	4	Tartaric Acids	4
    Chloroform	5	Hydrogen Selenide	>3	Oxalic Acid	5	Taste (DI Water)	4
    Chlorine	5	Hydrogen Sulfide	3	Oxygen	5	Taste (From Organics)
    Chlorobenzene	5	Hypochlorous Acid	5	Ozone	4	THMs	5
    Chlorophenol	5	Inorganic Acids	1	PCB’s	5	Toluene	5
    Chlorophyll	4	Inorganic Chemicals	1	Pesticides	5	Toluidine	5
    Citric Acid	4	Insecticides	5	Phenol	5	Trichlorethylene	5
    Cresol	5	Iodine	5	Phosphates	0	Turpentine	5
    Difoliants	5	Isopropyl Acetate	5	Plastic Taste	5	Urine	2
    Detergents	3	Isopropyl Alcohol	5	Plating Wastes	3	Vinegar	3
    Diesel Fuel	5	Ketones	5	Potassium Permanganate	4	Xanthophyll	4
    Dyes	5	Lactic Acid	4	Precipitated Iron	2	Xylene	5

• Water Softeners
  • What is Hard Water?

    Calcium and magnesium are natural minerals that dissolve in water to cause hard water. A water softener is designed to remove hardness and up to 4 to 8 parts per million of iron rust stain from water.

  • Softeners and Salt

    The relationship that a water softener has with salt can best be compared with detergent and a washing machine. Laundry detergent is added to a washing machine to clean clothing. After the washing machine goes through its different automatic cycles, the soap and dirt wash down the drain. The clothing does not come out saturated with soap, but is clean.

    Sodium Chloride (salt) is used to clean the hardness (calcium and magnesium) from the mineral bed of a water softener. When the water softener valve goes through the proper cycles, it washes the salt and hardness (calcium and magnesium) down the drain. Unlike common belief, softened water has only traces of sodium in it.

  • Why Do I Need a Softener?
    1. Prevents bathtub rings and calcium buildup on tub enclosures, faucets and fixtures. Less cleaning chores! There will be no more ugly stains and mineral build up to darken your porcelain. Washing floors, tile, and woodwork is much easier and faster with softened water because it eliminates the film and soap scum caused by hard water.
    2. Hard water deposits a rock like scale in household plumbing, plugs and corrodes valves, and causes energy robbing sediment to build up and settle in your hot water heater. This hard water build up will block the transfer of heat to water. Water softeners help water heaters work up to 29% more efficiently. Other appliances also last longer and are more efficient with soft water. Fuel bills stay lower! Repair costs are reduced!
    3. Drops the cost of your soap and cleaning supplies. Soaps lather better and consumption of soap related products such as detergent, bleach, shampoo, scouring powder, toilet bowl cleaners, and floor cleaners are reduced by as much as 60%!
    4. All your glassware, dishes and silverware rinse spot free and cleaner. Dishwashers last longer and operate more efficiently. In fact, most automatic dishwasher manufacturers recommend soft water to lower maintenance costs and increase dishwasher life.
    5. Clothes last longer, come out fresher, cleaner and softer. Hard water dulls colors and makes fabric feel stiff and scratchy. Clothes are brighter after washing and last longer. Also, washing machine manufacturers recommend soft water to lower maintenance costs and increase the appliance life.
    6. Keeps hair and skin healthier and shinier. No soap residue to clog pores, dry out skin and dull hair. Soft water is recommended for keeping hair and skin healthy. 
  • What are the Typical Installations?

    Read instructions completely before installing.

  • How Do I Choose the Right Softener?

    Buy the right unit the first time. Have your water professionally tested and avoid costly mistakes. Order Factory Test Kit #136958 from your Flint & Walling or Star Water Softener distributor or dealer.

    
    

    Star Water Softener Test analyzes:

    • Hardness
    • Iron
    • TDS (Total Dissolved Solids)
    • Manganese
    • Turbidity
    • Tannins
    • pH
• Water Well Tanks
  • How is it possible for the pre-charged tanks to hold the same amount of water as conventional tanks even though they are smaller?

    Tanks are sized based on the amount of water provided before the water pressure drops enough to turn on the pump. Galvanized tanks are very inefficient and leave most of their stored water in the tank when the pump turns on. Pre-charged tanks are very efficient and will provide you with more water between pump cycles.

  • Do I need to change my plumbing to replace my galvanized tank with a pre-charged tank?

    Some adjustments will be necessary. A complete set of instructions are included with each pre-charged tank that will help you with the installation.

  • How do I know what size to buy?

    If you already have a pre-charged tank, simply buy one of the same physical size. If you have a conventional tank, use the tank cross reference chart.

    Make sure you have a tank size suited to your present plumbing system. You may need to switch to a higher or lower capacity model to match the system. To select the proper size tank, count the number of fixtures in your home (sinks, showers, bathtubs, toilets, dishwashers, faucets, washing machines, outside faucets, etc.). The proper tank volume is three (3) times the number of fixtures.

    For example:

    No Fixtures	Tank Volume	Star Air-E-Tainer Tank
    5	14	132661 or larger
    6-8	20	132662 or larger
    9-11	32	132663 or larger
    12-15	44	133517 or larger
    16-21	62	136875 or larger
    22-30	86	135460 or larger
    31+	119	136876 or larger

    If you have a heat pump, hot tub, sprinkler system or irrigation system, choose a tank one model larger.

  • How does the Star Air E-Tainer Work?

    
    

    1. Tank is pre-pressurized with air at the factory.
    2. When pump starts, water enters the reservoir. At 50 psig system is filled. Pump shuts off.
    3. When water is demanded, pressure in the air chamber forces water into the system. Pump turns on.
    4. When pressure in tank drops to pressure switch cut-in point (30 psig) pump refills the tank.