How do you prime a home water pump?

Author: Ms. Connie Kohler IV  |  Last update: Sunday, February 22, 2026

How To Prime Your Water Pump
  1. Make sure the power is turned off. Never leave a pump plugged in while you're working on it. ...
  2. Gain access to the pump system. ...
  3. Check for damage. ...
  4. Test a hose. ...
  5. Open the relief valves. ...
  6. Attach the hose. ...
  7. Turn on the water and wait for it to enter the tank. ...
  8. Turn the power on.

How do you prime a residential water pump?

If you're priming a water pump for a building, just connect it to the fixture nearest the water tank. You now have a source of water flowing into the new building or pool. Turn on the water to the hose. At the beginning, you'll hear air flowing through the system.

How to get air out of a water pump?

There are a few ways to get air out of a water pump: Priming the pump: This involves manually filling the pump with water before turning it on. This can be done by pouring water into the inlet or by using a small hose to fill the pump with water. Once the pump is filled with water, it should start working properly.

Why is my water pump not pumping water to my house?

If the water pump is running but no fluid is being pumped this could be blocked inlet suction filter, check valves failed with pumps bypassing, blocked discharge lines, electric motor polarity is incorrect or incorrect pressure settings parameters amongst other issues.

How do you bleed air from a home water system?

Remove air from your pipes in five easy steps:
  1. Turn Off Your Main Water Supply Valve. ...
  2. Open all the faucets in your house. ...
  3. Wait for All Faucets to Run Dry and Flush Toilets. ...
  4. Turn the Main Water Supply Back On. ...
  5. Turn All Faucets Off Again in the Correct Order.

How to Prime a Well Pump

How do I reset my home water pump?

Move the reset lever up into the start position and hold it there. (You should hear water moving into the pressure tank from the well.) Hold the reset lever in the start position until the pressure builds up and the gauge reads over 40 PSI; then let it return to the AUTO position.

What is the most common problem of a water pump?

Water pumps are essential for various applications, but they can also experience common problems affecting their performance and reliability. Common problems include overheating, leakage, low water pressure, noisy operation, and cavitation.

Why is my water pump humming but not pumping?

If your water pump has stopped pumping out water entirely while making this buzzing sound, there's no cause for panic. The humming sound means the pump is working but there's no water to move, so your pump is running dry. If your pump has lost prime, or is running dry, this is due to a loss of water.

What happens if air gets into a water pump?

Entrained air or gas/vapor can have a detrimental effect on the suction performance of a pump. Air or gas will expand in the inlet of the impeller, which blocks the liquid flow through the impeller, much like the blockage from cavitation vapor bubbles, both of which cause a decay in the pump discharge pressure.

Why is my house water pump not priming?

There are several reasons your self-priming pump may not be working, these include: There is an air leak in the suction line: While the fluid is recirculating in the pump, it forces air out of the discharge as it is trying to create an area of low pressure.

How to tell if a pump is self-priming?

In comparison to a standard centrifugal pump, what's notable in the design of a self-priming centrifugal pump is that it features a liquid reservoir built into the body of the pump, typically either above or in front of the impeller.

How to do priming of pump?

1). Priming of the pump can be accomplished simply by opening the valve of the suction piping. Gravity will push the liquid from the suction tank through the suction piping into the pump.

Why is my water pump running but no water?

There are many things that could lead to no water supply even with your water pump running. Some of the possible issues include: A blocked sediment filter or a failing filtration system. Low water table caused or overusing your water supply.

How many years should a water pump last?

The lifetime of a water pump depends on type and model. On average, you should expect +10 years. You should also be aware of other parameters such as level of comfort provided by the pump, how sustainable, reliable and safe it is - and not least if it will enable you to save energy, water and money during the lifetime.

How much is a new water pump for a house?

Solar well pumps cost $1,800 to $6,500 and are great for people who don't want to rely on local electricity supplies. Constant-pressure pumps cost $2,000 to $5,000 and are more of a luxury pump with unique controls. Windmill water pumps cost $5,000 to $21,000 and are great for off-grid homes.

How do I get my water pump to work again?

To get it working again, your water pump will need to be primed. This means that water will need to be flushed back into the pump and forced through – this creates the pressure it needs to begin pumping again.

Do water pumps fail suddenly?

In some cases, the water pump can maintain this type of operation for weeks or months, or even longer, or it could fail immediately after by seizing up.

How do you get air out of a water pump line?

While these sounds can be scary and seem like serious issues, the cause is usually quite benign. Most often, a loud sound coming from your pipes is caused by trapped air. By turning off your main water supply and running all faucets for 10-15 minutes, you force any trapped air through your water pipes.

How do you bleed a water pump at home?

Follow these steps to bleed the air from your circulating pump safely and efficiently:
  1. Turn Off the Power. Safety first! ...
  2. Locate the Bleed Screw. ...
  3. Place a Cloth or Container Under the Pump. ...
  4. Open the Bleed Screw. ...
  5. Tighten the Screw. ...
  6. Turn the Power Back On.

Previous article
Does vodka freeze?
Next article
When should you overseed your lawn?