Prime a Pool Pump

A properly functioning pool pump is critical to keeping water in a swimming pool safe and clean. The pump is said to “lose prime” when too much air has entered the circuitry of the pool—which can happen for various reasons. Priming a pool pump is the process of releasing any air trapped in the system in order to get the water properly circulating. This article outlines how to prime your pump.

Steps

Priming a Basic Pump

  1. Turn the pool pump off. If you can, shut off the the power to the pump.
  2. Relieve air pressure. Turn the air relief valve on the top of the pool filter counterclockwise (anticlockwise). The gauge should read 0 psi. Leave this valve open.
  3. Change the settings of your suction diverter valve so that either the main drain valve or the skimmer valves are open. Now water will only flow through the selected route, allowing you to prime the pump gradually.
  4. Open the lid of the pool pump strainer box. Depending on your box, you may need to turn a knob counterclockwise (anticlockwise) or possibly do some unscrewing.
  5. Check the basket in the strainer box for any debris or objects. If you see anything, take the basket out of the strainer box, then empty, clean and replace it.
  6. Fill the strainer box with water completely.
  7. Replace the strainer box lid carefully and ensure a good seal.
    • Check the lid of the strainer box and its seal. Note if there are any cracks or any other signs of damage.
    • Apply petroleum jelly or a similar lubricant to the O-ring.
    • Tighten lid. Do so by hand when possible to avoid over tightening.
  8. Ensure that the multiport valve—the valve controls water return to the pool—is fully open or on the "recirculate" setting. This disengages the filtration system from the circuitry.
  9. Turn the pool pump on.
  10. Keep an eye on the the air relief valve.
    • Air should begin to come out of the valve as the pump starts up again. If all goes well, water should start to spray.
    • If water does not spray within a minute, repeat all steps up until this point.
  11. Close the air valve when water starts to spray. Turn the knob clockwise to close.
  12. Adjust the diverter valve so that the valve you originally closed is now open in addition to the already open valve.
  13. Open the air relief valve again. Any problematic air from newly opened circuitry. If all goes well, water should start to spray out of the pump.
    • If water does not spray within a minute, repeat all steps up until this point.
  14. Close the air valve when water starts to spray. Turn the knob clockwise to close.
  15. Turn the pump off again.
  16. Return the multiport valve to the filtration setting.
  17. Turn the pump on again.
    • Be sure to bleed air from the filter once water circulation to the filter has been reestablished.

Priming a Nonbasic Pump (without a 3-way Suction Diverter Valve)

  1. Turn the pool pump off. If you can, shut off the the power to the pump.
  2. Relieve air pressure. Turn the air relief valve on the top of the pool filter counterclockwise (anticlockwise). The gauge should read 0 psi. Leave this valve open.
  3. Close all the suction valves. There should be one for the main drain and one or more for the skimmer lines.
  4. Open the lid of the pool pump strainer box. Depending on your box, you may need to turn a knob counterclockwise (anticlockwise) and possibly do some unscrewing.
  5. Check the basket in the strainer box for any debris or objects. If you see anything, take the basket out of the strainer box, clean and replace.
  6. Fill the strainer box with water completely.
  7. Replace the strainer box lid carefully and ensure a good seal.
    • Check the lid of the strainer box and its seal. Note if there are any cracks or any other signs of damage.
    • Apply petroleum jelly or a similar lubricant to the O-ring.
    • Tighten lid. Do so by hand when possible to avoid over tightening.
  8. Ensure that the multiport valve—the valve controls water return to the pool—is fully open or on the "recirculate" setting. This disengages the filtration system from the circuitry, allowing the water to flow through the pump without distraction.
  9. Turn the pool pump on.
  10. Keep an eye on the the air relief valve.
    • Air should begin to come out of the valve as the pump starts up again. If all goes well, water should start to spray out of the pump.
    • If water does not spray within a minute, repeat all steps up until this point.
  11. Close the air valve when water starts to spray. Turn the knob clockwise to close.
  12. Open one of your suction valves. Some manufacturers may recommend opening the main drain valve first.
  13. Open the air relief valve again. Any problematic air from newly opened circuitry should begin to come out of the valve. If all goes well, water should start to spray.
    • If water does not spray within a minute, repeat all steps up until this point.
  14. Close the air valve when water starts to spray. Turn the knob clockwise to close.
  15. Repeat the process of opening one of your suction valves and clearing air from the relief filter until all of the suction valves have been open. If you find that no water sprays for any valve along the way, repeat all steps until this point.
  16. Turn the pump off again.
  17. Return the multiport valve to its original setting, which should be the filtration setting.
  18. Turn the pump on again.
    • Be sure to bleed air from the filter once water circulation to the filter has been reestablished.

Video

Tips

  • Procedures for priming a swimming pool pump may vary slightly from one system to another. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for your specific filtering system or contact your pool supply/maintenance provider for assistance.
  • If you are still unable to prime the pump after repeated attempts, there may be a major leak or blockage somewhere in the system. The problem will have to be identified and corrected before the pump can be primed successfully.

Warnings

  • Do not run a pool pump without water whenever possible. Doing so for significant periods of time can cause severe damage to the pool pump, the motor, or both.

Things You'll Need

  • Petroleum jelly (or similar lubricant)
  • Screwdriver (possibly)
  • Around 10 gallons (37.9 liters) of water

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Sources and Citations

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