How To Prime A Pool Pump

A pump which is not primed fully is not working very efficiently and could be causing damage to the motor. As a result it is very important that the pump is always kept primed, and steps are taken to re establish prime as soon as it is lost.

A pump is said to be primed when all the water has been purged from the pump and it is capable of moving water.

A pump has lost its prime when either it is not moving water when switched on or moving it ineffieciently, mixed with air.

It may be necessary to re-establish prime in a pump for various reasons, such as when you re-connect the pump at the beginning of the season, when you have cleaned the strainer basket in the pump or if you have a leak in your filtration system.

If you need to re-establish prime in your pump follow these steps.

1. The first step is to turn off the pump.

2. On the suction side of the pump, close all valves, including the Main Drain, Skimmer and Vacuum Lines.

3. Slowly open the strainer lid of the pump, releasing any built up pressure carefully.

4. Inspect and clean out the strainer basket. If there is any damage to the basket, check the impeller for loose debris and replace basket with a new one.

5. Inspect the gasket of the strainer lid top to ensure that it is clean and will make a good seal.

6. Replace the basket and fill the strainer with water.

7. Next replace the strainer lid, making sure that it forms a good seal, but do not over tighten as this can cause damage to the o-ring. It is important that the lid is only tightened by hand, as the use of any tightening tools could cause damage to the o ring, lid or pump body.

8. Turn the pump back on at the mains.

9. Now slowly open one of the suction side valves, such as the Skimmer valve. Wait for the pump to catch its prime, this could take about thirty seconds, and you will see a good flow of water going through the pump.

10. If the pump has not primes itself, then close the valve and turn off the pump at the mains. It may be necessary to repeat the process of filling the basket with water, turning on the pump and opening a valve several times before the air is sufficiently removed from the system.

11. Once you have established that water is flowing freely without air through one line, then slowly open the next valve on the suction side.

12.If the pump remains primed and there is no visible evidence of air in the system then open the next valve and so on until all valves and pipelines are open, purged of air, and freely circulating water. If at any stage it appears that air is in the pipeline related to the valve that you have just opened, then close that valve, turn off the pump, and repeat the air purging process as above, loosening the strainer lid, re fill with water and start the pump again. Repeat until all valves are open and no air is present.