Fill Slowly Filling a pump system slowly helps remove airlocks by allowing trapped air to escape gradually. To do this, open the fill valve slightly and let water flow in steadily. As the system fills, listen for gurgling sounds indicating air release.
If you don't have easy access to one of the water hoses after the pump, the easiest thing to so is probably to use a piece of pipe over a single tap and suck with the pump running until you clear the air lock. The lowest tap will be best but any should do.
You run your pump at 100% and tilt the case in all directions. Then you leave one of the caps open on the resevoir to let the air escape. That's it.
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.
- Cavitation: Occurs when the pump can't fill the impeller with liquid, causing air bubbles to form. This can lead to vibrations, noise, and damage to the pump's internal components over time. - Overheating: Trapped air reduces the pump's ability to cool itself, potentially causing overheating and further damage.
Turn On The Pump and Slowly Open The Valve
It is imperative you do this step slowly. You should see bubbles discharging from the returns as air is forced out of the line into the pool water. After a while, the pump should catch up and fill up with water. Now you can further open the valve, but very slowly as before.
One of the most reliable ways to clear a clogged pump is to physically remove the clogging debris by releasing the vacuum, disconnecting the suction tube and letting the water rush back through the suction tube to flush out the debris, however the debris still remains in the water to be pumped.
Will an Airlock Eventually Clear Itself? Sometimes, small airlocks may clear themselves as water circulation continues with one or more radiators. However, larger airlocks often require manual intervention, like bleeding the radiators or using a hose to release the trapped air.
Bait the Pump with Water
Take a container filled with water and connect the suction hose directly to the container. Turn on the pump and let the water run for a few minutes. This process will help remove air from the pump system and replace it with water.
To do this, open the fill valve slightly and let water flow in steadily. As the system fills, listen for gurgling sounds indicating air release. Continue this process until the pump and all connected hoses are fully primed with water.
The priming process involves filling the pump casing with the fluid to be pumped, removing any air from the casing, and creating a seal between the impeller and the casing. This can be done manually or automatically, depending on the type of pump.
You can use an automatic air vent for the water supply. It has a air chamber and a float that will automatically bleed the accumulated air. They are also relatively inexpensive. The automatic air vent is commonly used for for hydronic water heating systems but make sure its approved for potable water in your case.
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.
Make sure you achieve a good seal to prevent pressure from escaping. Turn on the hot water for a few seconds, then the cold water, and keep both on for about a minute. Now, turn off the cold water then the hot water tap. Water will fill up inside the hose and pressure should build up to break the airlock.