Priming is like a motivation for your pool pump to circulate the water properly. It’s really a matter of anxious if your pump loses its prime.
Listen, have you noticed that the pipes are trapped in too much air? It affects badly the pumping system. This is why you need to prime the pool pump as if it can purge the air from the pumping system.
Trust me, it’s not an uphill battle. You’ll be easygoing with how to prime a pool pump as everyone does.
Okay, enough beating around the bush, let’s see what’s there for you!
Steps of priming a pool pump
We are going straight forward. Just follow these steps to prime your pool pump. We are trying to instruct you as easily as possible.
Step-1: Turn off the power system
It’s a common precaution, whenever you are working with electricity and water you need to turn off the power system. So, turn off to the pool pump at the circuit breaker.
Step-2: Clear the skimmer and strainer basket
You will find a lot of debris, decaying leaves, clogs, hair and various dirt in your skimmer and the strainer basket. Clean them first.
Another thing to concern is, make sure the water level is high enough or at least halfway up the skimmer face.
Step-3: Concentrate pump’s suction
This step is for increasing the efficiency of the priming cycle. No need to go deep into it.
Simply use a suction side diverter valve to select whether the pump will pull the water from the skimmer or main drain or both.
For details, you may visit: how do pool pumps work
Step-4: Purge the excess air
Open the filter’s air relief valve, it’s located on the top of the filter. It allows the air to escape from the pumping system. Actually, this is the main intention to prime your pump.
So, how will you notice the purging of air? Well, you will hear a whisper like a hiss when you open the valve. But when you turn on the pump it will be normal.
If you use a sand filter you may not find an air relief valve. But there’s an internal tube which releases the air automatically.
Step-5: Remove the pump’s strainer lid
A strainer allows you to collect the large pieces of debris that may be missed by the skimmer or sucked in the main drains. It’s important to check out the strainer first.
To remove the strainer lid, 1- turn clockwise the two knobs on the top of the lid counter and 2- swivel the two knobs down away from the lid.
A point to be noted, some of the pump strainer lids screw on rather than having knobs. What now? Chill, twist the lid counter-clockwise to remove the pump’s strainer lid.
Step-6: Fill the pump strainer
Make sure there is not single debris in the strainer. Now, fill the pump strainer with a garden hose or with a bucket.
Do it slowly, keep filling it until the water sits above the top of the strainer. It will assure that there isn’t any extra air to spoil the water circulation system.
Step-7: Reattach the strainer lid
It’s time to reattach the pump’s strainer lid. At this time, you can do something to increase the longevity of the lid’s o-ring.
Yes, you can add a new coat of lube to the o-ring. It also will offer you to avoid any future sucking air leaks.
Step-8: Open the valves on the main return line
See why to do this. If you make sure that the valves on the main return line are open, the pool pump will discharge the water to the pool.
What if it’s not open? During the pump operation, excessive water pressure will build up and result in damage parts in the pumping system. You won’t like it.
Step-9: Turn on your pump
Now, turn on the pump and enjoy the flow of water. But, if you see the water not flowing within a minute, turn off the pump and go back to the earlier steps.
If all of the processes are okay but your pump is still not priming, spend some of your moments to know, ‘why a pool pump won’t prime?’
So, that was the priming process. Be careful while going through the steps. You’ll do it properly!
Frequently asked questions
Hence, we have will answer some mostly asked questions about priming a pool pump.
Q-1: Why your pump loses it’s prime?
Ans: Air leaking is the key reason to lose prime. Try to fix all of those (we talked about it earlier) for what your pump system has excessive air.
Another reason can be obstructions. I mean, if there is any debris in the strainer basket it will restrict the water flow.
Q-2: How about the pump to be self-priming?
Ans: Well, it would be amazing. Mainly if it’s about an in-ground pool, self-priming is one of the important capabilities.
Doesn’t make any sense? Listen, you may know, if the machine works without water, it will get damaged. In the self-priming case, a huge amount of water will reach the device.
So, this capability will allow the pump to arise the water from a lower level automatically.
Q-3: What are the hindrances of priming a pool pump?
Ans: Pump location is very important to talk about. It shouldn’t be positioned too high from the water level. Keep a short distance between them to let the pump catch the prime. Moreover, the pump basket must be clean and clear.
Got answers? You are done with everything about priming your pool pump!
Conclusion
Hey! Isn’t it easy enough? We hope that you now have a crystal clear idea about how to prime a pool pump.
Look, priming is really important for your pump. Never neglect it by doing this capriciously. It will harm your pool pump in the long run.
At last, be careful at every step of the process because you are in touch with the electricity and the water at the same time!
Go and make it happen without a second thought, happy swimming!