Priming your pool pump is a necessary yet straightforward procedure.
- Turn the pump off. If you need to prime your pump, double-check that the power button is actually in the off position or that the unit has been unplugged from the power source. If you’re working with water or electricity, you should take extra measures before getting started.
- Recirculate the water. Your pump’s multiport valve can be configured to recirculate the water. This will guide water into the pump, which will subsequently recirculate it back into the pool. The water bypasses the filter and goes straight into the pump in the recirculate mode, ensuring that there is water in the pump.
- Allow air to escape. Open the air relief valve on top of the filter to relieve excess air pressure in the lines.
- Remove the pump basket and clean it. Rinse the basket with a hose to remove any debris that has accumulated. Inspect for wear and tear and, if necessary, replace items such as o-rings.
- Fill the pump basket with water. Fill the pump basket slowly with water from a garden hose before replacing the lid.
- Make that the air release valve is open and the pump is turned on once the pump basket has been filled and secured.
- Check your pump’s water flow. Within thirty seconds, the water should be flowing steadily. If the flow is not consistent, turn off the pump and repeat the preceding procedures. Examine all of your hardware for signs of wear and tear.
- Close the air pressure release valve after the water is continuously flowing.
In This Article...
How can I prime my pool pump manually?
We’ve all heard the sound of a pool pump laboring for water, or the drama of having to refill the system with water after a service. Help is on the way.
It can be difficult for the pump to pull the water from the skimmer box back into the filtration system if the pool water has drained out of the pipes from the pump back to the pool.
This is especially important if your pump is located far away from the pool or at a height above the pool’s water level.
– Check that the pool’s water level is high enough to easily cover the skimmer.
– Check that the unions on the pump and filter are tight and that the Union O Rings are not missing.
– Check for the presence of the Pump Lid O Ring (lubricate with Silicon Grease not petroleum-based grease).
To prime the pump, follow these steps:
1. Turn off the pump.
2. Turn off the cell phone.
3. Recirculate the filter by turning the handle (assuming you have a sand filter).
4. Take the skimmer basket out of the water.
Remove all nozzles and fittings from the garden hose and insert the hose’s end into the skimmer box’s Suction Line (as far as it will go). Fill the hose to the brim.
**DO NOT LEAVE FITTINGS ON HOSE AS THEY MAY GET STUCK IN THE SUCTION LINE**
5. Remove the pump lid and fill the pump basket with 4-5 buckets of water.
Replace the top quickly and start the pump.
6. If required, repeat Step 5 a few times.
Remove the garden hose and replace the skimmer basket once the pump has been primed.
Allow 5 minutes for the pump to operate before shutting it off, then:
What happens if there is air in the pool pump?
The presence of air pockets and bubbles in your pool might indicate a variety of pool equipment issues. Your pool’s components aren’t meant to take in air. As a result, if air gets into them, they will be damaged, and the system will not function properly.
Let’s take a look at the dangers of air pockets in your pool system:
Burnt Pool Heater
If you have a pool heater but there is a problem with the water flow, the heater will not be able to heat enough water. It’s possible that the heating mechanism will burn out as a result of this.
Damaged Pool Pump
If the pool pump is drawing air, the priming may be lost. It’s also possible for the pool pump to overheat or cavitate. In-ground pools are more prone to this.
The purpose of a pool pump in an in-ground pool is to pull water and distribute it into the pool via pool equipment. Pumps that pump liquid are not designed to operate without it. Typically, the liquid lubricates and cools them.
The pool pump will overheat if the pool isn’t extracting enough water, potentially inflicting irreversible damage.
Dry Pool Filters
If air enters your pool via the skimmer housing, the pool filters will be depleted of water. Water filtration and cleaning will be compromised as a result of this. What’s next?
Cloudy Pool Water
You guessed correctly. The water in the pool will get foggy or murky if it is not properly cleaned. In a few weeks, your pool might even host an algal party. It’s all due to a few tiny pockets of air.
Is a self-priming pool pump required to be primed?
A swimming pool’s circulation system is essentially the pump. Its job is to remove water from the pool via the main drain and skimmer, filter it, and restore it to the pool via the main returns. To function correctly, a pool pump must be primed. Priming is the process of supplying the pump with enough water to start circulating the water or, in other words, to begin drawing water from the pool. Even if there is a lot of air in the system, self-priming pool pumps will automatically generate a flow of water. Other pool pumps require manual priming before they may be turned on. The processes for priming a pool pump are as follows.
Why does it happen that a pool pump loses its prime?
Maintaining the efficiency of your pumps, whether for irrigation, industrial, or domestic usage, can save you a lot of time and money. You can try a few things to figure out what’s causing your pump to lose its prime:
Steps To take If Your Pump Is Losing Its Prime
- Check for leaksthe suction (or intake) side of the pump accounts for 90% of all pump issues. Pumps can lose their prime due to leaks in the intake line and around the shaft seal of the pump housing itself. Make sure the pipe connections inserted into the housing are secure, and the intake line is free of cracks or loose or badly glued fittings.
- When the pump is not functioning, most pumps have foot valves to keep water out of the intake line and casing. Your pump’s prime may be lost between starts if your foot valve is leaking. The problem could be solved by replacing a malfunctioning valve.
- An obstruction or blockage in a line could be one of the reasons your pump is losing its prime. The most common cause is debris obstructing the suction strainer or foot valve. The water in the pump casing can overheat and practically boil out of the casing if there is a clog in the intake line, causing the pump to lose prime.
Whether you’re trying to maintain your pump at home or working in the industry, you can rely on the knowledge and experience of the W.P Law, Inc. team. Our knowledge of the industry enables us to assist you in troubleshooting your problems and directing you to the appropriate parts and service to keep your pumps in top functioning order.
When a pump loses its prime, what happens?
We’ve lost prime and the one line or two line jet pump may be unable to draw water back from the well if you have no water pressure, absolutely no water in the building water supply piping, and absolutely no water in the water pump itself.
To prime a pool pump, how much water is required?
Fill Your Pump with Water in Step 3 You’ll know the system is air-free when the basket is around 80% full up to the intake port outlet.
What’s the best way to prime an above-ground pool pump?
In your above-ground pool, how deep is the water? Your pump may be sucking in air if it is not at least halfway up the skimmer opening. The pump will occasionally make a gurgling sound as it tries to suck in water but instead gets air. You should also inspect the weir door on the inside of the skimmer. It could be stuck shut, so make sure it’s working properly. Turn off your above-ground pool pump and fill the pool with more water if the water level is low. Turn your pump back on once the water level has reached a safe level, and it should begin to prime.