When it comes to pool maintenance, ensuring your equipment functions smoothly is crucial. You meticulously balance chemicals, sanitize, and clean your filter to keep your pool pristine. However, sometimes, effective pool maintenance extends to preventing damage, particularly to essential equipment like the pump. After all, the pump is the heart of your pool’s circulation system.

A damaged pump can be costly to repair or replace, and without it, your pool becomes stagnant. Water won’t circulate or pass through the filter, which can quickly turn your pool into a breeding ground for dirt and bacteria.

Many issues can prevent a pump from operating correctly, but the good news is that most of these can be avoided simply by learning how to prime your pool pump. Priming involves filling the pump with water before turning it on, which allows it to cool and function properly. Running a pump without water can lead to overheating, damaging the motor, or melting the pump housing—outcomes that mean costly repairs.

Priming is necessary whenever air enters the system—be it at the start of the pool season, after repairs, or any time the pump is emptied. Follow our simple guide to ensure your pump stays in optimal condition.

What Is a Pool Pump? 

A pool pump is a device that draws water from your pool and pushes it through the filter to be cleaned before returning it to the pool. By continuously circulating the water, the pump helps maintain water clarity, prevent algae growth, and distribute chemicals evenly.

What Is Priming a Pool Pump?

Priming a pool pump is the process of removing air and filling the pump with water before starting it. This step is essential to prevent overheating and potential damage to the pump’s motor and housing. Priming is necessary when air enters the system, such as after a repair, at the beginning of the pool season, or following a system drainage. 

Before You Prime the Pump, Assess Your Water Level

• Below Water Level: If your pool pump is situated below the water level, priming it should be relatively easy. Gravity will assist by naturally allowing water to flow to the pump, making the process more straightforward.
• Above Water Level: A more challenging scenario arises if your pump is positioned higher than the water level. Pumps aren’t efficient at sucking up water through air pockets. In this case, introducing water into the pump where there’s air can help the pump’s impeller to grab the water and prime itself effectively.

How to Prime a Pool Pump: A Step-By-Step Guide

Here’s how to prime a pool pump in 7 steps: 

1. Turn the Multiport Valve to Recirculate: Adjust the valve to direct water back into the pool without passing through the filter.
2. Remove Pool Plugs: Ensure any plugs in the skimmers or return jets are removed to allow water to flow freely into the pump.
3. Fill the Pump with Water: Open the pump’s lid, and if it’s dry, use a garden hose to fill the pump housing for at least two minutes, ensuring enough water enters the pipes to create suction.
4. Secure the Lid: Once the pump housing is filled, replace the lid tightly to prevent air from entering the system.
5. Turn On the Pump: Start the pump. It may make some initial noises, but soon you should see water filling the pump housing through the clear lid.
6. Monitor the Pump: Watch for a steady flow of water into the pump housing. The presence of a “double cyclone” in the clear lid indicates that the pump is fully primed and operating efficiently.
7. Repeat If Necessary: Turn off the pump, refill the pump housing, and repeat the process if no water is drawn in after 10 seconds. Do not let the pump run dry.

Pool Pump Won’t Prime? Troubleshooting Tips

• Add More Water to the Pump: Turn it off, remove the lid, and add more water. This helps create the suction necessary to move water through the pump. Always ensure the pump is off before removing the lid to avoid impeding suction and splashing water out of the pump.
• Check the Water Level: Ensure the pool water level is high enough to flow into the skimmers. If the water level is too low, the pump will struggle to prime.
• Inspect the Skimmer Doors: Make sure the skimmer doors aren’t stuck. Sometimes these doors hang up due to trapped air or waves in the pool.
• Check for Leaks: Inspect the pump housing, lid, and O-ring for any cracks or damage that could cause leaks. Lubricate and clean the O-ring to maintain a proper seal.
• Evaluate Valve Handles: Ensure all valve handles are tightly screwed on, but be careful not to overtighten, as some valve tabs are prone to breaking.
• Use a Skimmer Hose: Place a garden hose in a skimmer and run water through it. This can help push air out and water into the pump from the opposite direction.
• Inspect the Pump Basket: Check for cracks or breaks in the pump basket. Make sure it’s seated correctly in the pump housing and aligned with the internal grooves.
• Open the Filter Air Relief Valve: While the pump is trying to prime, open the filter air relief valve to release trapped air and allow water to flow smoothly.
• Adjust Water Flow from Spa: If you have a spa, you can try adjusting the water flow to pull from the spa drain. Remember to revert the valve to the original position once finished.
• Check for Suction Side Leaks: If the pump still won’t prime, inspect the plumbing for loose connections, especially on the suction side. Running a garden hose over the suction side can help identify air leaks by observing changes in water flow.

Still Stuck? Call a Professional

If none of these steps work, it might be time to call a pool professional. They can provide a thorough diagnosis and potentially prevent further damage to your pump system.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for a pool pump to prime?

A pool pump should typically prime within one to twenty seconds. If it does not prime in this timeframe, there may be air trapped in the system.

What should you do if your pool pump won’t prime?

If your pool pump fails to prime, start by adding water to the system. If it still won’t prime, it suggests air is entering the piping, possibly through a leak. If no leak is visible, it’s best to call a professional for further inspection.

How do you get air out of a pool pump?

To remove air from a pool pump, open the pump housing and fill the basket area with water. Quickly close the lid to trap as much water as possible. You can also use the bleed valve on top of the filter to release trapped air and facilitate pump priming.

How do you prime a pool pump for the winter?

Winterizing your pool pump involves additional steps. After completing the priming process, fill the pump with food-grade propylene glycol to prevent freezing. Ensure the drain plugs and test valves are tightened. Wrap the pump in bubble wrap for insulation while maintaining airflow around the motor to protect it from cold temperatures.