Priming a Pump

The first thing you need to do when having trouble priming or re-priming your pool pump is to turn the unit off. Turn your sand filter to Recirculate/ Remove your cartridge element and remover your cleaner and Vac plate for better flow. Always make sure your water level is at least half way up your skimmer box mouth.

Open the lid on the pump’s strainer. If there is any build-up debris in either the basket or in the pipe, clean them out. Ensure the seal is clean and undamaged on the pump lid.

Check any knobs or screws that you can see and tighten them if necessary. For this procedure, use your hands instead of some tools to prevent over-tightening, which can damage the unit.

Then fill the strainer using either a hose or a bucket. Preferably a hose.

Turning It Back On

Turn the pump back on as quickly as possible. If the procedure goes well, the pump should be primed again within minutes, run no longer than 5 minutes. If it does not prime, repeat the first steps, refill the strainer with water. It may take a few tries to remove all of the air from the pump but once it works, it should maintain its prime.

If you see an increasing amount of air bubbles building up under the see through lid of the strainer, it would indicate that you have an air leak. It would then be a matter of going through each step and checking that the seals are in good condition and are clean. If the lid is not closed properly it will have the same effect. So it would entail going through the priming procedure again, but paying particular attention to the above points.