Priming A Pool Pump

🔄 How to Prime Your Pool Pump (or Permanent Spa Pump)

Priming your pool or spa pump is essential for restoring water flow after opening the pool, cleaning the filter, or addressing air in the lines. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you through the process.

🧰 Step-by-Step: Standard Pump Priming Method

1. Turn Off the Pump

Your pump may be turned off by:

A switch or breaker (connected by gray conduit)
A button labeled On/Off, Start/Stop, or Resume/Stop
Pool automation, a remote, or your pool app

2. Close Suction Valves, Open Return Valves & Filter Air Relief

Suction valves (in front of the pump) → Turn OFF
Return valves (after the filter and heater) → Turn ON
Air Relief (on top of the filter) → Open air relief to allow air out of filter

3. Open the Pump Basket Lid and Fill with Water

Use a garden hose or bucket to fill the pump housing completely.

4. Close the Lid and Turn the Pump On

5. Open One Suction Valve

Slowly open just one suction valve (skimmer or main drain)
Wait up to 45 seconds for the water to begin flowing continuously

🔁 If Water Does Not Flow:

Turn off the pump
Close suction valve(s)
Open the lid and refill the pump basket with water
Close the lid and restart the pump
Open the same valve again

Repeat as needed until water flows steadily into the pump.

🧭 Priming Additional Lines

Once one suction line is primed:

Slowly open another suction valve
If the pump loses prime (sucks in air), close the valve
Wait for the pump to re-prime from the working line
Open the valve again slowly
Repeat until that line flows consistently
Close the air relief on top of the filter after water comes out of it

🚫 Note: The sump line only primes when water is present under the liner. It is only used for removing excess water.

🛠 Using a DCB (Drain Cleaning Bladder) for Difficult Priming

If standard priming isn’t working, you can try using a Small Drain Cleaning Bladder — available at Premier Pool & Spa.

Steps:

Turn off the pump
Attach the DCB to a garden hose
Open the skimmer valve(s)

If you're unsure which is which, open all suction valves
Insert the DCB into the suction hole inside the skimmer
Turn on the garden hose full blast

The DCB will expand and seal the suction hole, forcing water through the line
Wait until you see water entering the pump basket
Turn off the hose and immediately:
- Close all suction valves
- Remove the DCB from the skimmer
  🔁 Double and triple-check that the DCB is removed
Open the pump lid and fill the pump (if not already full)
Close the lid, turn on the pump, and open the valve that connects to the skimmer where the DCB was used
Prime the remaining lines as outlined in the previous section.

💬 Still Can’t Prime Your Pump?

If you're a current Premier Pool & Spa service customer, we can prime your pump for you.
➡️ Minimum charge: ½ hour of 1-person labor, even if it’s a quick stop.

🎥 Helpful YouTube Videos

📌 These videos are for general reference. Directions may differ slightly from our process above. Always follow your equipment’s manual or consult with us directly if unsure.

Need assistance? Contact Premier Pool & Spa — we're always happy to help.