Most water pumps will eventually need to be primed in order to work properly and create pressure inside the motor, especially if it’s a case where you’ve turned off your pump over the winter months and there’s a high chance that it has lost all its pressure.
For this you’ll need to have the water flushed back into the pump with force, as this will create enough pressure so that you can start pumping again. This article will outline the basic steps you need to know to prime your water pump hassle-free.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Prime Your Water Pump
In order to successfully prime you pump, follow these steps carefully. The longer the pump has sat unused — whether in the basement, shed or garage — the higher the chances are it needs to be primed.
1. Check to see if the power is turned off – the first thing you’ll want to do is to ensure that the power is properly turned off. In order to be on the safe side, you can turn off the electrical power at the breaker panel.
2. Check the power system – next you need to find the plumbing fixture that will allow access to the power system. This is usually considered to be the fixture that’s located next to the water tank, but if it’s a pool pump, it’s the strainer basket.
3. Check to see if there’s any form of damage – we highly recommend that you check to see if there’s any form of damage, especially on the piping as this can get get damaged over time. You should also move the valve and check to see if it’s properly working.
4. Get yourself a hose – you should prepare a hose by simply flushing water through it for a few minutes to ensure it’s clean.
5. Open the relief valve – this prevents pressure from actually flowing through. While this is happening, keep a close eyes on the pressure gauge reading.
6. Fasten the hose – at this point you should connect the hose to the water tank on your water pump. If you are doing this for a pool pump, then you’ll need to place the hose in a strainer basket.
7. Turn on the water – once you’ve turned on the water it’s now time to actually watch the tank fill or the water pressure gauge rising. If you are working with a pool pump, then the strainer basket should be filled before you even close the lid. Once you notice the water entering from the opposite side, it’s time to turn off the water.
8. Turn the power on – you should let the pump run for about one minute. If you’ve mistakenly opened any relief valve, you’ll need to wait for the water to run from it so that you can close it. If the pump turns off by itself, then it’s primed. If that doesn’t happen, you’ll need to repeat the process.
What Happens If My Water Pump Isn’t Primed?
The main reason behind your water pump constantly malfunctioning is the fact that it isn’t primed. This can lead to costly repairs. If you don’t take the time out to prime your pump, you risk mechanical seal failure and further damage to other components.
Conclusion
Priming a water pump is an essential part of maintenance. If you don’t, you risk damaging the motor and reducing the overall longevity of the pump. So follow the steps above and save yourself some trouble.