How do I prime my pump after a power flicker?

“A dry pump is a dying pump. Knowing how to prime it is an essential Austin skill.”

Summer thunderstorms in Austin often cause power flickers. When the power comes back on, your pump might start up but fail to pull water from the pool. This is called “losing prime,” and if it runs dry for too long, it will melt the internal seals.

Expert Priming Steps:

1. Turn Off the Pump: Never let a pump “hum” or run dry for more than 2 minutes.
2. Clean the Basket: Open the pump lid, remove any debris from the basket, and check the O-ring for cracks. A dry O-ring is a common source of air leaks.
3. Fill the Housing: Use a garden hose to fill the pump housing completely with water.
4. Seal and Start: Replace the lid firmly. Open the air relief valve on top of your filter. Turn the pump on.
5. Watch the Air Relief: Stay by the filter. Once a steady stream of water (no air) shoots out of the relief valve, close it.

Austin Detail: During heatwaves, the plastic of your pump lid and O-ring can become brittle. If you can’t get a prime, check for “micro-cracks” in the lid that are sucking in air.

Sent from my iPhone while restarting a system in Cedar Park.