When a system is fully primed, the system components, pipes, pump, filter etc., are filled with water and the pool pump is able to suck water from the pool and push it back into the pool through pool returns. Priming a pool pump involves purging air from the pumping system and filling the water lines and pump with water. The number of steps required to prime your pool pump depends on the amount on water in the suction side of the lines - water coming from the pool to the pump. If you are installing a new pool system, there is no water in the lines, and you may have to repeat these steps several times. If you are adding or replacing components into the pumping system (like a heater), there will still be some water in the lines and priming will be simpler. The following procedure assumes that you have no or little water in the system. Visible indications of low water are no or little water in the pump strainer box, and a low pressure reading on the pool filter pressure gage.
lyly Posted: 1/12/2019
Hi! I'm looking for a cover for my filter system, it's broken and I'm looking to replace a new one, but I can't find a similar one. can you help me!Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Robert M. Posted: 1/14/2019
Hello Lyly - We'd be glad to assist you. What is the make and model of your filter?Reply
sven Posted: 1/8/2019
Hy, I did what you says but my pump still not priming. I tryed to shut off all valvs and that put the bucket of water into the pump and when I´m gonna to put the lid back on, the water level comes down again. And my pump again spin impeller without water (not priming)Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Robert M. Posted: 1/10/2019
Hello Sven - You may have a significant suction side air leak if you are unable to keep the pool pump primed. Check out our guide titled "How To Identify and Correct Air Leaks".Reply
Matthew Posted: 8/8/2018
Hello Ron - the PSI is going to vary greatly from pool to pool. The "clean" pressure of the filter should be noted after installing a new filter or replacement cartridge.Reply
Ron Posted: 7/4/2018
What is the "normal" operating pressure in a clean cartridge type filter?Reply
Anonymous Posted: 6/6/2018
I can't find a diverter valve anywhere!Reply
Inyopools Posted: 5/9/2018
Hello Phil - The water level dropping below the skimmer line is usually a sign that the water level is too low to begin with. Try adding a couple of inches of water to the pool. The pool water level should be half way up the skimmer opening.Reply
Phil Posted: 5/9/2018
Ok, so I have had my pool for a year (second season) recently my water level is dropping below the skimmer when the pump is running, It was working fine 2 days ago but for some reason it all of sudden started to drop. Any Ideas why?Reply
Anonymous Posted: 8/30/2017
Thank you. Worked like a charm. Just had to add water.Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 7/31/2017
Dave - It sounds like you have a significant suction air leak on the suction side of your pool's pump. See our guide on "How to Identify and Correct Air Leaks". Also, if you have an old pool, try digging down to the bottom of the input pipe that carries water into the front of your pump. Sometimes the elbow connecting to the horizontal pipe from your pool wears out and starts to leak.Reply
Anonymous Posted: 7/29/2017
Thank you! This was extremely helpful and easy to follow the step by step instructions. My husband is out of the country and I was worried my pump would burn up or I'd have to turn it off and my pool would become a green mess. Very helpful!!!Reply
Dave Posted: 7/29/2017
So my pump only fills above the return opening I side the basket. I can't get the level to rise to the lid. I have tried to shut off the drain valve, leaving only the return from the pool open. I opened the pressure relief valve but no change in levels. The level inside my pool is where it needs to be.Reply
Rachrob Posted: 7/28/2017
Thank you so much!!! I got it running after four attempts. Thank you!!!Reply
Iyopools Posted: 6/19/2017
Blane - When you bought your new cartridge last year, did you have the same problem right away or did it build up over time? If it worked for a while, you made have invisible gunk like oils or sunscreen lotion building up in the flow of the cartridge that is hard to wash out. Try cleaning your cartridge with something like TSP get the gunk out of the folds.Reply
Blane Posted: 6/19/2017
Hello, when I do not have the cartridge in the Filter, the flow is great. as soon as I put the Cartridge in, I have good flow for about 40 seconds, then it is really weak. I thought the Cartridge was bad, bought a new one, and have the same issue. this is frustrating. the Filter is a Hayward c550, and I purchased it last year.Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 5/30/2017
MrRice - It sounds like your system is running very smoothly. Sometimes, the water flows so smoothly through the strainer basket that you can't see any water movement. The strainer basket tank is filter completely to the top. If you didn't have water flowing through the basket, you would not have any water coming out the returns.Reply
MrRice Posted: 5/30/2017
I'm a new pool owner and recently had the pool opened. However, when the pump is running, I do not see water going through pump strainer, but water is being pushed out of the in-ground pool jets. Is that normal or to be expected?Reply
mac Posted: 5/23/2017
Great easy guide and does help thank you very muchReply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 5/20/2017
Chris - When you put water into the strainer pot, you are partially filling the intake lines. Some of the water you are adding is flowing back into the pool. When you close the system up and start the motor it will prime faster.Reply
Chris Posted: 5/19/2017
I opened the pump strainer box to clean it, reassembled, but can't seem to fill the water above the level of the pipe from the drain and strainer. I emptied 4x 5 gallon pails into it, the level rose while filling, then drained back down to the same level - any idea what I might be doing wrong?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 5/19/2017
Cdcollins - Some filter systems operate without a relief valve. They are designed to relieve pressure automatically. Proceed and ignore references to a relief valve.Reply
Cdcollins Posted: 5/18/2017
I don't have a relief valve what nextReply
Anonymous Posted: 5/17/2017
wow, thanks - you weren't kidding, it took just about 10 tries to get this done before it finally took. thanks again, this was extremely helpful.Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 5/10/2017
lidia - If you pulled the vacuum out of the pool without disconnecting it, the pump is sucking air through the vacuum which causes it to loose prime. You have to disconnect the vacuum from the insert.Reply
lidia Posted: 5/8/2017
i cleaned my pool for he first time buying a hose and vacuum head, connect it to the insert where is a basket by pool,it was priming and then when we finished cleaning we tried to disconnect hose from insert it was stuck my daughter got the vacuum out of pool i noticed a different noise in pump and stopped priming i cleaned both baskets pump and by pool after that pressed maintence then turned it back on notice no water was going down like fountain like jacuzzi to pool let it on some hours noticed later still not on so think i messed up pumpReply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 5/2/2017
Still learning - Generally, when you fill the strainer basket with water, it doesn't fill all the way. It starts flowing back into the pool. But you have enough water in the pipes to prime the pump. If you had a lot of debris in your pool when you opened it, some of that might have partially blocked a pipe or the pump impeller. Debris in the impeller is a frequent problem. I would check that first. See our guide on "How To Clean Out a Pool Pump Impeller".Reply
Still learning Posted: 4/30/2017
I had a hard time getting my pump to prime when I opened after winter. I finally got it going but I opened the pump to clean the basket, and now I can't get it going again. When I fill the basket it fills all the way to the top unti it overflows. It was doing that when I first opened when it wasn't working. Finally the water flowed freely and wasn't filling all the way up and it worked. I didn't do anything different and don't know to get it going again. Please help. TIA.Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 3/20/2017
Bonnie - Try blowing the clog out with a drain cleaner bladder. It's simpler, cheaper and most people have had good success with them. It’s most effective if you insert it at the pump going back to the pool. Any hardware store sells these bladders.Reply
Bonnie Posted: 3/16/2017
how can you remove problem in clogged pipe? Cannot prime pump, have tried all you have suggested.Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 11/18/2016
Alex Z. - Yes, you will have to replace the impeller from the old motor and reinstall it on the new motor. For a step-by-step procedure on replacing a motor, see our guide on "How To Replace the Motor on Your Pool Pump". Remember to buy an replace the motor shaft seal.Reply
Alex Z. Posted: 11/16/2016
I believe that my motor just burned. It's been acting up for about 4 months know. it would struggle to start every time (would make a noise like it's about the start and then it shuts off again). Finally today it was doing it for few hours while i was at work and still kept doing it when i came home. It smelled like something burned and it was very hot (to the point that i had black marks on my sand filter thats sitting next to it). I purchase same exact motor online and will be replacing it this weekend hopefully. My question is, since i never did this before, do i need to remove impeller as well, or i can only remove the motor, put the wires the way they were and proceed with priming process? Thank you in advanceReply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 9/16/2016
Dom Fiocco - I would shut off the valve to the solar system until the pump is primed than slowing open the solar valve.Reply
Dom Fiocco Posted: 9/14/2016
My pool pump won't prime if the valve to our rooftop solar system is open. Any ideas on how to resolve?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 8/15/2016
Rick - Thanks for the priming tip. It sounds like a great solution for anyone with a significantly elevated pump.Reply
Rick Posted: 8/14/2016
I tried everything and couldn't get mine primed and FINALLY found a trick that worked that I though worth sharing. Forcing water into the skimmer intake (the inlet from your main drain should probably be closed). I had stuck a hose in it before and still couldn't get it to work, so I wrapped cardboard and tape around the hose to make the hose fit tightly into the inlet from the skimmer, which was a little bigger than the hose. Cranked the water all the way, forcing it up to the pump, which in my case was about 4 feet above the water level. Turned on the pump and it caught within seconds. I am soooo glad to finally find a way that works.Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 8/1/2016
confused - No, you should only add water to the strainer basket for a couple of minutes. It will not fill completely since you have an open system and some water is draining out to the pool. If you are having trouble priming the pool, close off all but one of the suction lines to the pool. Then open the others back up after the pump is primed. Check to make sure that you don't have leaks in the suction lines that are preventing your pump from priming. See our guide on "How to Identify and Correct Air Leaks".Reply
confused Posted: 7/31/2016
I am trying to prime my pump. Is it possible that it could take hours to fill the lines through the filter basket? Should the water lines be open or closed? I have them open.Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 7/2/2016
WW - I have not seen a pump operate up and down like that. If it only happens on the Backwash and Rinse modes, the problem is probably in the Waste port of the filter. Make sure that port and the hose from it is not partially blocked. Check the spider gasket in the valve to make sure it is intact.Reply
WW Posted: 6/30/2016
I just hooked up an Intel 14" 2800 gph sand filter pump. Back washed, and rinsed fine. In the filter mode however the pump seems to rev up and down and the psi goes up and drops right along with it. It's not dramatic, maybe from 10 to 4 psi back and forth. Any reason why it would do this in filter mode but run smooth in backwash and rinse?Reply