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

[@SwimUniversity]

The Pool Care Cheat Sheet (Free): swimu.com/cheatsheet The Pool Care Handbook: swimu.com/book The Pool Care Video Course: swimu.com/poolcourse

[@Beer_Dad1975]

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]

@@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]

@@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]

@@Beer_Dad1975😅

[@tshadow6]

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.

[@mindyaronow4325]

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]

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

[@thevanwormerfamily3427]

Very helpful, great video. My only suggestion would be to include a reminder to return the pool circulation from “recirculate” to its normal setting on “Filter”. I forgot to do that but realized my mistake when my pressure gauge would not move off zero.

[@7thNoteOfficial]

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

[@7thNoteOfficial]

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

[@JD-td8kl]

Yes. Recirculate until it fills, then OFF, then Filter, then ON.

[@highlymotivated86]

Thanks for this, I had to put water in through the skimmer, was so happy that it worked! 🎉

[@trentmeidinger6160]

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]

Glad it helped!

[@deedemarest443]

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.

[@gilfernandes83]

This saved me dollars too. Filled up pump with water, then hose in skimmer plus switched to recirculation before turning in pump. This worked.

[@SwimUniversity]

I'm glad to hear that it worked for you! It's always great to find solutions that save us some cash.

[@seebarnes6588]

Thank tou! Great advice. buut what is a little bit of time? 10 seconds 1 minute 5 minutes? hate to burn anything out..

[@cheetahprague]

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

[@SwimUniversity]

Great to hear!

[@emerlinechen9632]

Thank you so much for the video. It fixed my problem.🙏🏼😊

[@xxkrushaxx]

Thanks for the info helped out heaps ✌🏻

[@danielm593]

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]

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.

[@reese863]

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]

That's great!

[@CTCAdventures]

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

[@SwimUniversity]

Glad we could help!

[@islataina1983]

I LOVE YOU!!! THANKS WORK RIGHT AWAY.

[@SwimUniversity]

Great! Glad it helped!

[@jadebecker9407]

I filled the skimmer by the pump, and the chlorinater with water. Turned the pump on and jets started working properly and pulling water into the pump again. Not sure what caused our issue, as the pump is brand new, and the pool was working fine yesterday. Any thoughts on what the cause of this was from? Bad O-ring?

[@susanheiman3143]

Worked a treat! Thanks

[@SwimUniversity]

Glad it helped!

[@DeborahBacon-cv9ut]

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]

Great, glad it helped!

[@candibeals9138]

What if you have a se filter?

[@jadelee6555]

What is the multiport is not labeled?? I don't know how to get the water to be directed to the correct path

[@motodrummer]

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]

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

[@motodrummer]

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

[@lethallena5556]

The hose in skimmer line solved it. Thanks!

[@SwimUniversity]

Glad it worked!

[@sherryjohnson3804]

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]

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]

@@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

[@cardo1111]

Excellent info, thanks for sharing your knowledge 👍🏽

[@MattSteinman]

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]

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

[@deedemarest443]

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.

[@stevenjordan4618]

Great help! Thank you!

[@Mr._Chievous]

i left my pump on the "cleaner" setting with the skimmer and main closed. the door of the cleaner opening where the hose goes was closed too. ran for 9 hours like this. i had to reset the pump breaker to get it to run but it only runs for 17 seconds before the pump shuts off. i have run a hose through the skimmer. the pump has water running through it. can you help?

[@CB0915]

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

[@SwimUniversity]

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

[@johnkneup6109]

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]

Great tip!

[@SparzWizard]

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.

[@LindseyHazel]

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

[@SwimUniversity]

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.

[@edilainesassi8043]

Perfect thank you

[@stevehollifield4813]

what brand pump is in this video?

[@brian.crosta]

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]

@@brian.crosta it can also be a Hayward

[@brian.crosta]

@@greatgames5793 screw Hayward LMFAO 😂😂

[@BamBeast105]

Looks like a Pentair SuperFlo

[@SwimUniversity]

It is a Pentair pump

[@josemoreno3334]

Thanks.👍

[@CB0915]

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]

Did you turn off the pump before opening the lid?

[@israelperez304]

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

[@SwimUniversity]

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

[@greatgames5793]

Thanks for the help!

[@SwimUniversity]

You're welcome!

[@davidmg1925]

starts 1:19

[@jefflovinfishin621]

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]

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]

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

[@jmb3d]

@@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]

@@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.

[@fredisduran8539]

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]

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

[@JerseyFishing20]

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]

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.

[@Cat-rr5fv]

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

[@aquitabryant9592]

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

[@TOURduPARK]

you guys rock!!

[@swilliams9086]

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

[@kayapre6944]

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

[@ajsal1902]

Thank you so muchh!!!!

[@SwimUniversity]

You're welcome!

[@timchapman1255]

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]

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

[@julianjolly6098]

Great advice 👍

[@jahbrakr]

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

[@SwimUniversity]

Filter

[@7thNoteOfficial]

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

[@tessat3483]

Thank you. 😄

[@SwimUniversity]

Happy to help!

[@Rav123123]

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.

[@amoya1972]

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]

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]

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

[@tedallan9336]

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]

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]

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.

[@tholloway5130]

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]

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.

[@stevehollifield4813]

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

[@gregjohnson2073]

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

[@peacefulangelsithole5348]

cool

[@Bomberboybrad]

I had a crazy amount of time figuring out how to prime my pump but solved it via a method not shown in the video. The problem was caused by suction hose air messing up water flow. Due to the gravity of my pool being lower than my pool pump, putting water in the pump basket was never able to fill the pool pump basket sufficiently by itself to get the priming process to be successful. Water just drained quickly back into the pool. The only way I could get my pump primed was to combine adding water to the pump basket via a hose, while using the water flow from an independent water heater pump outlet inside the pool via a hose redirected into the suction opening in the skimmer with as much seal as possible. I suppose if the heater pump return outlet is not available, an alternative would be to use a balloon high pressure system attached to a garden hose (available on Amazon). Basically water from both directions may be required to build up the water level in the pool pump basket. Hope this helps someone.

[@JD-td8kl]

This helped me. Thank you!