POOL PUMP Not Priming? Here's How to Quickly PRIME a PUMP

POOL PUMP Not Priming? Here's How to Quickly PRIME a PUMP | Swim University

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Күн бұрын

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Is your pool pump running dry? If you don’t have water flowing through your pump, it’s time to prime. Priming a pool pump means getting water flowing through your pump before you let it run. If you turn on your pump and it's not full of water, the whole thing can overheat. It can even melt your pump seals and damage your pool plumbing. But all that can be avoided by priming. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to prime your pump.
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⏰ Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction to How to Prime a Pool Pump
00:57 - How to Prime a Pump Step-by-Step
01:14 - #1. Turn Multiport Valve to Recirculate
01:24 - #2. Remove Winter Pool Plugs
01:39 - #3. Fill Pump With Water Using a Hose
02:10 - #4. Turn On Pump
02:40 - Troubleshooting Tips for Priming a Pump
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Пікірлер: 108

@SwimUniversity 2 жыл бұрын

We hope this helps you get your pump primed! And if you need more help taking care of your pool, grab the free Pool Care Cheat Sheet at www.swimuniversity.com/cheatsheet 👍

@Beer_Dad1975 Жыл бұрын

Watched another video where the guy said to fill your pump housing to the top - no matter how I tried I could not get it to fill to the top as the water looked to be going out into the pool via the skimmer. Thanks to this video I now know you don't need to fill it to the top - wish I'd found it earlier as I ended up carrying maybe 20 buckets of pool water to the pump! Kinda felt like Sisyphus there for a while! Anyway all I had to do was exactly what you showed here and it primed first time. One thing I don't think you mentioned that was in the other video was to open the filter relief valve once the pump is running well to release trapped air, then close when water starts coming out. That was the final step for me.

@deedemarest443 Жыл бұрын

@@Beer_Dad1975 That's refered to as "Bleeding the line" when you open a value to release air otherwise trapped air which if not relased will keep water from flowing, I had this also happen to my yard irrigation system when they turned off the main water value to work on the values.

@Beer_Dad1975 Жыл бұрын

@@deedemarest443 Got it down to a fine art since then - now I can get the dirty filter out, get the clean one in, and have the pump running smoothly in under 5 minutes 🙂

@aljoaquin2675 8 ай бұрын

@@Beer_Dad1975😅

@tshadow6 5 күн бұрын

Thank you for this video. I primed my pump using the fill the skimmer method. A trickle of water (pump on), turned into a strong flow, finally filling the pump. You saved me $$ . Thanks again.

@cardo1111 2 жыл бұрын

Excellent info, thanks for sharing your knowledge 👍🏽

@mindyaronow4325 2 жыл бұрын

Every spring I get nervous I’m not going to remember exactly how to do all these steps! I love all the start ups refreshers! Thank you

@SwimUniversity 2 жыл бұрын

You're welcome! We know it's "prime the pump" season for a lot of people 😅

@xxkrushaxx 5 ай бұрын

Thanks for the info helped out heaps ✌🏻

@stevenjordan4618 28 күн бұрын

Great help! Thank you!

@julianjolly6098 2 жыл бұрын

Great advice 👍

@edilainesassi8043 Жыл бұрын

Perfect thank you

@TOURduPARK 2 жыл бұрын

you guys rock!!

@reese863 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for this video. I've never owned a pool before. I got my pump working again from learning to pour water in the pump.

@SwimUniversity Жыл бұрын

That's great!

@trentmeidinger6160 Жыл бұрын

THANK YOU for these tips, particularly setting to “recirculate.” I was about to give up on pool pump, and that tip worked like magic! 😊

@SwimUniversity Жыл бұрын

Glad it helped!

@deedemarest443 Жыл бұрын

Not all setups have a "recirulcate" feature. I have a valve to shut off/on water to skimmer and vac and then two values one each for in and out water lines.

@cheetahprague Жыл бұрын

Pushing water through the skimmer helped me get mine to prime. Thanks you.

@SwimUniversity Жыл бұрын

Great to hear!

@susanheiman3143 9 ай бұрын

Worked a treat! Thanks

@SwimUniversity 4 ай бұрын

Glad it helped!

@islataina1983 7 ай бұрын

I LOVE YOU!!! THANKS WORK RIGHT AWAY.

@SwimUniversity 6 ай бұрын

Great! Glad it helped!

@greatgames5793 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the help!

@SwimUniversity 2 жыл бұрын

You're welcome!

@SparzWizard Ай бұрын

Help! my pump has been running but there's no water in the pump basket. When the pump is off, there's water but it's only half way full like beneath the pipe hole in the basket. The other day I tried vacuuming the pool floor, cleaning out the debris in the skimmer basket, and pump basket. First time cleaning.

@CTCAdventures 4 ай бұрын

Thank you. Worked great. Wish I would have seen your instruction and hour ago lol.

@SwimUniversity 4 ай бұрын

Glad we could help!

@ajsal1902 Жыл бұрын

Thank you so muchh!!!!

@SwimUniversity Жыл бұрын

You're welcome!

@tessat3483 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you. 😄

@SwimUniversity 2 жыл бұрын

Happy to help!

@Rav123123 2 жыл бұрын

I have lots of air bubbles coming out of one of my return jets and one just makes bubbles the last doesn’t even do anything.

@DeborahBacon-cv9ut 3 ай бұрын

This video was helpful and got it almost working which was encouraging. I went and got the big toilet plunger that has the smaller end on bottom, inserted that in the skimmer hole and plunged away with the pump on, I started hearing gurgling and then everything was gurgling. Ran to the pump and it was primed and pumping. Thanks for the help.

@SwimUniversity 3 ай бұрын

Great, glad it helped!

@danielm593 10 күн бұрын

Thanks for the vid! How many times and how long should I try the manual prime process (adding water to the filter pump) before I give up?

@SwimUniversity 8 күн бұрын

Maybe 3 or 4 times. Then you'll want to check for other issues. And when you stop filling with water, be quick to seal the lid back on.

@lethallena5556 Ай бұрын

The hose in skimmer line solved it. Thanks!

@SwimUniversity Ай бұрын

Glad it worked!

@johnkneup6109 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the info. My pool wouldn't prime after a drain and refill. I filled the cleaning area by the pump with water and it primed first time after filling.

@SwimUniversity Жыл бұрын

Great tip!

@LindseyHazel 2 жыл бұрын

Interesting!! Every time my pump turns on, air bubbles through the line-- will priming my pump help this from happening?

@SwimUniversity 2 жыл бұрын

It should! If there's air in your system, you run the risk of your pump running dry. But also check out the end of the video in case you have a bigger air leak you need to find.

@timchapman1255 Жыл бұрын

Can you do one on sizing pump and filter to pool size, what happens if pump can move more at zero head than filter rated for

@SwimUniversity Жыл бұрын

We have a guide here on filter and pump sizing: www.swimuniversity.com/pool-filter/

@JerseyFishing20 2 жыл бұрын

I usually run my pump during the day and turn it off at night. Do I need to close the suction line going to the pump when I turn it off? I’ve been closing it but I’m not sure if it’s necessary because if it was on a timer I wouldn’t be closing the suction line

@deedemarest443 Жыл бұрын

If you don't have a pump you can program the time or set to a timer box, you will have to manually turn it on and off.

@motodrummer 8 ай бұрын

Thanks, great video. I keep having to prime the pump after shutting it down for 8 hrs. ran fine all summer and come to think of it I had to prime it a few times last winter as well??? The pool level is high and no signs of leakage but gonna change a few o-rings anyway. Something is causing the suction line to drain and since there isno sign of leaks, it must be draining back to the pool?

@SwimUniversity 4 ай бұрын

Did you notice a difference after replacing the O-Rings?

@motodrummer 4 ай бұрын

@@SwimUniversity I have not had to prime the pump since

@MattSteinman Жыл бұрын

Everytime my pump turns off for the day, I lose suction. The next day when it turns back on, it takes about 3 minutes to get the prime back. I replaced the line coming into the pump the other day and still have the issue. Is it possible to lose any air/suction from the filter side, once the water travels through the pump? We also get ALOT of air coming through the jets.

@SwimUniversity Жыл бұрын

You might have a leak somewhere and air is getting into the system. Check your pump lid, O-Rings, etc.

@deedemarest443 Жыл бұрын

If filter is clogged, you will have higher PSI displaying on the gage, when the problem is on the pump side and water isn't moving, it's trapped air/leak/broken/clogged impeller issues not moving the water through the line and you lose prime.

@CB0915 Жыл бұрын

Replacing a hose tomorrow that is clearly leaking. Would this be causing my psi to be jacked all tha way up?

@SwimUniversity Жыл бұрын

Might depend where the hose is. Air in the system is usually what causes high pressure.

@7thNoteOfficial Ай бұрын

Do you turn it on with with recirculate on? After you fill with water? Then once primed turn back to filter?

@7thNoteOfficial Ай бұрын

My pump dont fill with water just keeps draining back to pool also does no have valves to turn on or off

@CB0915 Жыл бұрын

Do i have to plug both the skimmer and return in order to take pump cap off? It just erupts like a volcano when i go to take it off

@SwimUniversity Жыл бұрын

Did you turn off the pump before opening the lid?

@sherryjohnson3804 2 ай бұрын

Ugh my pump won't stay primed, when set to waste, pump full of water, pipes leading to it, cleaned filters/ baskets, new hose.. Is my hose to long? Also I know at 5 ft water breaks up, and my water level is probably like at 1/2 foot

@SwimUniversity Ай бұрын

Is it when you're on waste and you're vacuuming? That's a common problem. Fill up the vacuum hose with water in front of the return jet before connecting it to your skimmer.

@sherryjohnson3804 Ай бұрын

@@SwimUniversity yes when on waste, and emptying pool, so only like 1/2 foot of water, I do fill up hose leading to my vacuum head and the pump with water before turning it on, so I'm at lost, I thought maybe old hose had few spots might be sucking in air, so changed all the hose

@peacefulangelsithole5348 2 жыл бұрын

cool

@israelperez304 Жыл бұрын

I have a above ground pool. I dont have too much pressure psi is at 4-5

@SwimUniversity Жыл бұрын

Are your return jets flowing well? It's okay if your normal reading is 4-5, as long as it's consistent.

@fredisduran8539 8 ай бұрын

My pump is not priming when i connect the pool cleaner vaccum. I made sure it has not air and nothing stuck when i remove the cleaner hose it starts priming and as soon as i connect it it stops. Btw the pool vac is new and all the hoses

@SwimUniversity 4 ай бұрын

Is it a suction side vacuum? Sometimes those need a booster pump installed to get enough power

@swilliams9086 2 жыл бұрын

You turn valve to recirculate but I don’t see when you turn it back to filter, at what step? Thanks

@kayapre6944 2 жыл бұрын

That's a real huge mistake! Disliked and quit subscription.

@Cat-rr5fv 11 ай бұрын

Myblever is not labeled at all so I dont know what options I have . So frustrating.

@aquitabryant9592 3 ай бұрын

Mine aren’t either , I have “f” and “r”

@jefflovinfishin621 Жыл бұрын

I have full prime but very low suction. Can’t figure out why. No leaks, no clogs, just won’t pull water in from the skimmer

@jmb3d Жыл бұрын

Same here. Brand new Intex pool with Sand filter. I keep priming the pump by adding water to the pump skimmer and it works for a few seconds then water in pump skimmer is low and I start the process over with the same results. I hope I can get it working. Still looking for the answer.

@SwimUniversity Жыл бұрын

Do you have the right sized pump for your pool? If not check your connections to re-tighten or replace the O-Rings.

@jmb3d Жыл бұрын

@@SwimUniversity My main issue was I had the hoses in the wrong place 🤦🏼‍♂️ I had a leak at the pump where the basket connects. I put Teflon tape around the O ring to fix that.

@jefflovinfishin621 Жыл бұрын

@@SwimUniversity after I changed all the connections and o rings, I figured out a round metal piece was in my return restricting the flow back into the pool. I pulled it out and everything went back to normal. (I’m told the metal piece was part of a check valve that came off). Crazy.

@tholloway5130 2 жыл бұрын

Ok..so while I'm vacuuming my above ground pool...my pump loses prime..I've changed the piping..water level is at the high point..check o rings and impeller..so what else could there be

@jneusbaum3697 2 жыл бұрын

T Holloway. Time to backwash your filter. Or change DE if you have a DE filter. Filter won't accept any more dirt. Good luck.

@davidmg1925 Жыл бұрын

starts 1:19

@stevehollifield4813 2 жыл бұрын

what brand pump is in this video?

@woodward17c 2 жыл бұрын

Most likely pentair Variable speed pump. I got one last year. Swapped out a single speed that came with the house. Best decision I ever made. Cost pennies to run and I run it 10 hours a day.

@greatgames5793 2 жыл бұрын

@@woodward17c it can also be a Hayward

@woodward17c 2 жыл бұрын

@@greatgames5793 screw Hayward LMFAO 😂😂

@BamBeast105 2 жыл бұрын

Looks like a Pentair SuperFlo

@SwimUniversity 2 жыл бұрын

It is a Pentair pump

@stevehollifield4813 2 жыл бұрын

is there a new law that any new pumps installed must be variable speed?

@gregjohnson2073 Жыл бұрын

In California you can't buy 1 HP or less and no single speed.

@jahbrakr Жыл бұрын

When you turn it on do you turn it on recirculate or filter?

@SwimUniversity Жыл бұрын

Filter

@7thNoteOfficial Ай бұрын

@@SwimUniversitymy basket dont fill with water is it ok to turn on?

@amoya1972 2 жыл бұрын

Does anyone know the reason why a pool pump won't fill up with water, I keep hose on for 10-15 min even more and water just keeps going in to pipe coming from pool skimmer, I usually keep the water level on skimmer at least half way so there is plenty of water in the pool. I don't think there is a pipe leak since the water level seems to be normal all the time, i can't figure this out and i have issues with pump priming, what should I do?

@rebeccawebster3556 Жыл бұрын

I have this same issue now. I wish he had answered your comment. Did you find a solution that you could share with me?

@masont8829 Жыл бұрын

Yeah same issue here it's like the pipes will never fill up

@tedallan9336 Жыл бұрын

Same issue. I've tried pretty much everything. Some videos mention using a "Recirculate" filter valve option but my Jandy doesn't have that (Test|Drain|Filter|Rinse|Winterize|Whirlpool|Backwash). I just took my pump apart to check for a clogged impeller ... clean as a whistle. It just won't prime.

@masont8829 Жыл бұрын

I read a comment that someone had a pair of goggles stuck in one of his intake pipes I might and get an endo camera a water proof one and try and look in the pipe see if I'm having a similar issue. Also saw a video where the guy said it be that the pump is starting at a slower speed than it should. Last tip I used suds to check my vales and joints around the pump to see if any air was getting in. It might be worth a try.

@JH-fw3em Жыл бұрын

I googled ‘should I open or close main drain and skimmer lines when priming my pool pump’ it says they should be closed for priming. This video doesn’t address what to do with the lines or the filter air valve… wish he had.