How To Prime A Pool Pump: Step By Step

How to prime a pool pump? We are all too familiar with the sound of a pool pump running out of water or the drama of having to re-fill the system with water after maintenance.

It can occasionally be challenging for the pump to draw water from the skimmer box back into the filtration system if the pool water has leaked out of the pipework from the pump back to the pool. This may be especially important to know how to prime a pool pump

What Is Priming?

Before understanding how to prime a pool pump, priming is introduced first. By manually sucking water from the pool and through your filtration system, you can prime your pool pump by clearing the air from your plumbing system. This effectively creates a vacuum effect that forces water in and pushes air out.

for your pump seem a little overly ambitious? Since the entire motor of this 1.5 HP Blue Torrent Typhoon Pump is wound with copper, it operates cooler for longer motor life and better performance.

How Do Pool Pumps work?

Water is continuously pumped through your filtration system by a pool pump, which uses a motor. It is intended to always be filled with water. If the pump is run dry, the motor will burn out, forcing you to replace an expensive piece of pool equipment.

If a pump is allowed to run dry, heat will build up and could eventually melt the pump and possibly nearby plumbing fixtures. You’ll probably have a big repair bill if it causes a lot of damage.

By priming the pump before use, you can prevent running it dry.

How To Prime A Pool Pump?

Step 1: Although It Is A Necessary But Straightforward Process, Priming Your Pool Pump.

It is the first step of how to prime a pool pump. Although your pump is likely already off if you need to prime it, make sure the power button is actually in the off position or that power has been cut off to the device before turning the pump off. Always take extra safety measures before starting any task when working with water or electricity.

Recirculate is now active. Your pump’s multiport valve can be set to circulate the water. The water will be brought directly to the pump and pumped back into the pool as a result. In the recirculate setting, the water skips the filter and enters the pump directly, ensuring that the pump is filled with water.

Open the air relief valve on top of the filter to let out any trapped air and reduce line pressure.

Make the pump basket clean. Take out the basket’s accumulation of trash, then rinse it with a hose. Check for signs of wear and tear and replace items like o-rings as necessary.

Put the lid back on after slowly filling the pump basket with a garden hose.

Once the pump basket is full and securely fastened, check that the air release valve is open and turn the pump’s power on.

Verify the water flow to your pump. Within thirty seconds, water should be flowing steadily. Repeat the previous steps and turn the pump back on if you are unable to maintain a steady flow. Check every piece of hardware you have carefully for damage and wear.

Close the air pressure release valve once the water is flowing continuously.

Troubleshooting pool pump problems. The first time you try anything, it rarely works. You could try a few things if you’re having trouble getting your pool pump started right away after installation or at the start of the season. For more advice, see my guide on what to do if your pool pump breaks down.

Step 2: Try Adding More Water To The Pump Basket

It is the second step how to prime a pool pump. Try adding more water if the flow of water into the pump is inconsistent. Sometimes the simplest solution to a problem works best. Remove the filter basket’s lid, turn off the pump, then pour more water in.

Adding more water should have resolved your issue, assuming the only issue was that there wasn’t enough water in the system to produce adequate suction. Most pool pump priming issues can be resolved by adding more water, which is usually the key.

To generate enough suction to start things moving, your pump needs a sufficient water supply. A leak or an inadequate fill usually results in low water levels in the filtration system.

Step 3: Try Adding Water Through A Skimmer

The last step of how to prime a pool pump is that perhaps you have air pockets trapped further down the line, which is why you cannot start your pump system. Try adding water through a skimmer instead of adding more water directly to the pump basket.

Why You Should Prime Your Pool Pump?

Besides the question of how to prime a pool pump, other issues you should know about. Costs for pool pumps typically run into the hundreds. A swimming pool requires maintenance costs, but they are not ones you should incur frequently or needlessly. To make sure you are not unintentionally operating the pump dry, it is advisable to prime your pool pump.

Operating a dry pump will undoubtedly result in mechanical failure for your pump and may even harm nearby fixtures. Only when they are filled with water should these devices be used.

Water is the circulation system’s lifeblood, and the pump is like the heart of your pool. Without constant water flow, the pump’s motor will start to develop friction, which produces heat. The seal will melt as a result of this overheating.

If it goes without water for an extended period of time and the pump overheats, the heat may harm the PVC pipes that are connected to it as well as other plumbing system parts.

The pump will eventually become unable to handle the heat and seize up, possibly breaking beyond repair.

Your pump may need to be replaced, and the cost will depend on the brand and model. Additionally, spending that much money—or really any amount of money—when the harm could have been avoided so easily hurts.

By priming the pump, you can prevent overheating, melting seals, PVC damage, and premature pump death.

Now know how to prime a pool pump, and enjoy your pool time.