How to Easily Prime A Portable Clean-Up Pump: Installing a Check Valve

[@jameskaihatu6209]

Just built one of these according to the instructions here and on the previous video about the external vacuum pump. Works perfectly! I used Oatey Medium Set because I can't find Weld-On Pool Heavy, and used Regent T plus 2 joint compound because neither Lowes nor Home Depot carried Joint Stick, but other than that everything was to spec. Our pool was designed by the previous owner of this house and he didn't put in a skimmer (!) so the suction line is in the pool. After years of unclogging the line I suspect it's finally collapsed (don't know for sure, but if there's anyone who would have put in a flex line, it would be the former owner), so building this system was a big help! Thanks!

[@OU8121ST]

Have the same pump and had the same problem and the solution worked perfectly a huge relief Thank You

[@SPL]

Awesome. I thought filming this would help many.

[@bigIdeasMachine]

was quite frustrating getting the pump to prime. Now it is a breeze. Thanks for suggesting the improvement.

[@herpderp151]

Worked perfectly! Gonna have to upgrade my vacuum head. The one I have sticks to the pebble. Too much suction from the 1.5HP Hayward. Thanks!

[@SPL]

Your welcome! Try the Pentair ProVac.

[@ricardomiranda7737]

Oh man thanks! I was having a lot of issues this past winter priming my pump. Will give this a try for next winter. I'll go ahead and start building the check valve in the mean time.

[@ricardomiranda7737]

Is the valve a Valterra 200-C15...

[@SPL]

Yes, that one is comparable to the one I used. All the links are in the video description for you.

[@CroatianNinja]

could I use an above ground pump to do the same thing

[@SPL]

This i what this pump is specified as. Works really great.

[@yetijoeyetijoe]

At 3:25, what kind of red tape do you have on the outlet connection? Is it to prevent leaks?

[@BossaNossa1]

Did you ground your pump? I understood that you have to when using this pump..?

[@miguelhoward1621]

**JOINT STICK**- for those out there that have trouble priming after going through all the steps including the check now. Use of joint stick instead of Teflon tape was the fix for me. I’m thinking head I tried joint stick for the check valve it might’ve worked then too.

[@miguelhoward1621]

Sorry for typos , was using voice text. Check valve & had I tried ( not head I tried )

[@bigcliff5175]

hello I was watching your video on how to install a check valve my problem is I have the advantage mini back to the portable mini back too I have prime the basket feeling it with water I have put water in the area where the filter goes filled it up I've even put silicone where you connect the hose the vacuum hose and then put a clap and tighten it up on there but I still can't get the pump to pull water from the pool there's nothing coming into my basket when I first got it it worked fine I've only used it about six times I've called advantage and they're the ones that told me to try those things I told you like silicone on the connection where the hose goes and clamp filling the area where the filter is I've tried all of that and I cannot get the thing to prime when I fill up the basket it sucks the water right through and goes out the little white hose but for some reason it's not feeling anything screw the front through where the hose connects could you shed any light on what my problem may be I am totally frustrated thank you my name is Cliff by the way

[@SPL]

Maybe the pool hose you are using is pulling in air.

[@chaubui5163]

what's the difference between above and in-ground pump?

[@SPL]

Weight, price and most in-ground pumps are self-priming.

[@johnpadilla109]

Hey I need some help I bought a pump and filter setup I can’t get it to prime it’s a above ground pool setup n I have a in ground I need some help I will gladly appreciate it

[@SPL]

Make sure the pool hose in front is newer. If you installed a check valve like this the pump should prime up easily.

[@joelalfaro5124]

Hi where can I find the pvc swing/spring combo check valve clear 1-1/2 slip? I live in northern Virginia

[@SPL]

Amazon is your best bet

[@stevemerril3086]

Thank you... great info! 👍

[@123ksanchez]

Hi I have everything like you do, I still can’t vacuum my pool any suggestions? Everything is tight and secure properly. The only difference is that I have a ( Hayward power flow 1.5 hp ) thank you very much for your time

[@SPL]

Is it a new pool hose also?

[@123ksanchez]

Yes, but I already found the problem ( I had to tape it with electrical tape the inlet and outlet) hey man I just want to say thanks for these Amazing videos you helped me out a lot also thank you for taking the time to respond and answer my question your the best!!

[@SPL]

Great! Glad it's working.

[@ericcendejas7505]

Tried everything installed check valve and still will not prime, any suggestions?

[@SPL]

It could be the pool hose cuff.

[@laurasforza5678]

I can get the pump primed fine, but after using it several times, the suction now is so strong I can't get the vacuum head to move. Will the check valve help with this? Or is there a regulator that would work?

[@SPL]

You need a better vacuum head. Try the Pentair Pro Vac

[@Adam-dz2so]

I've got everything setup just like you've shown in this video, and I can't seem to keep my pump primed to save my life!!! It almost immediately sucks all the water out and I loose suction on my hose? Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

[@SPL]

Make sure the fittings going in and coming out of the pump are tight and you used Teflon Tape on the threads? It should work fine. Can you send me some pics of your set-up - [e-mail]

[@mailmanx69]

Does a check valve restrict flow at all? If so, do some types of valves affect flow more than others? For example, how does a Jandy 7305 2" valve made for pools affect flow in comparison to the "sump-type" valve that you used?

[@SPL]

I think it is a very small percentage. I recall with the flowviz flow meter it was like a 1% restriction. Very minor.

[@mailmanx69]

@@SPL - Thank you so much for taking the time to answer! I'm happy to hear about the flow not being affected by much.

[@electricalsmokealarmsandmo1564]

How do you get it to not leak on the return line or on top of the pump

[@SPL]

If you tighten a clamp on top that will reduce it. Using a new hose on top also helps.

[@CroatianNinja]

it seems like I'm asking so many questions but I finally got the pump to work and it works amazing my only issue is I'd say 50% of the pools that I work with the power always trips after running it for about 15 seconds any thoughts on that

[@CroatianNinja]

problem solved need a thicker gauge extention cord.

[@SPL]

Nice.

[@AH-bt1co]

I purchased a Hayward Powerflo LX pump in order to make the vacuum for an in ground pool, installed the check valve, and it still does not keep prime. We have checked for leaks and there aren't any. When I initially fill the basket with water it stays put so I know the valve is working at first. It has suction for about 1 second, just enough for water output, and then nothing. I followed directions, is there anything else I could be missing?

[@SPL]

What about the pool hose? Sometimes that is the issue. If you want to shoot a short video of yourself trying to prime it and send it to me I can take a look and see if I can help.

[@SPL]

So, did you dump water into the pump first and then turn it on? sorry, that was not in the video if you did. Sometimes you have to pour a bucket in, put the lid on, turn on the pump and let it run for a minute. Then repeat the process. It should prine, everything in your set up looks good.

[@AH-bt1co]

Swimming Pool Tips, Reviews & How To -MrDgvb1 yes, the pump was completely filled first, and during the first second it's on it seems to work, but then no more water flows into the basket. I was reading the reviews on my valve and one of them said they adjusted the spring tension so that water would flow into the pump. I'm wondering if that would be helpful, if my valve is requiring too much pressure to open it so it ends up not getting suction.

[@blazerr88]

I'm in the same boat, I added the check valve and it still won't prime. Using a 1.5 hp super pump.

[@blazerr88]

Just got mine to prime. Noticed that you had tape on your corrugated hose connection. I tested my connection with red food coloring, squirted it on the connection when it was running, and the basket turned red. The connection was sucking in air, not allowing it to prime. I wrapped the connection with electric tape, and it primed right up!

[@blackleyful]

Where does one get the components to install a check valve like this?

[@SPL]

If you look in the video description I have some links there for you. 👍

[@pamelahobbs4697]

I added the check valve but still have issues keeping the pump primed. My brother and I have above ground pools and the water rushes out as soon as I turn the pump on. All of my fittings are tight. Do I need a check valve for the back as well?

[@SPL]

I am confused. You said the water rushes out? Out of the top or out of the pump basket area?

[@pamelahobbs4697]

Sorry...out of the pump basket area.

[@SPL]

Try putting the pump on the same level as the pool and see if it holds. With a check valve you should be able to fill up the pump area and no water will go out - but if the hose in front has any air it could cause it not to prime.

[@pamelahobbs4697]

Ok. Thank you

[@CroatianNinja]

would a trash pump from somewhere like harbor frieght do the same thing ? thanks

[@SPL]

Maybe. Not sure of the hose intake size but you could use it like this.

[@greghackney8437]

One of those 5hp gas powered pumps yeah!

[@allensaelee6707]

Do u build a complete kit to sell? I often vacuum to waste that’s all i need it for

[@SPL]

Advantage manufacturing sells them. Very good portable pump sets.

[@charlies.5777]

@@SPL This Is a great idea as my standalone pump is always a pain to prime. Which is kinda ironic, as it's a DuraGlas pump, and my wired-in/plumbed-in DuraGlas primes very easily. About how much does the check valve cost?

[@sprenderful]

Mine isn’t staying primed either. I have a new hose new connection and it’s still not priming

[@SPL]

Make sure everything is super tight and try again.

[@sprenderful]

I did still a no go

[@sprenderful]

Would the length of hose effect the suction?

[@dukie564]

You installed the check valve upside down

[@SPL]

It doesn't matter here. Just used for priming.