Quick Reference > Pumps
Assistance on your pumps

How do I clean the basket inside my pump?

 Turn your equipment off. Unscrew the clear plastic lid on top of the pump, you will hear the water draining out of the system when you do this. Lift the plastic basket out of the pump and empty it. You may tap it gently against a pipe to dislodge debris or use a hose to spray it out. Make sure it is put back into the pump the same way you took it out. You must now re-prime the pump. See the next paragraph on re-priming the pump.

How do I prime my pump?

Make sure the rubber "O" ring that fits on the pump lid, and the lid itself, are clean of dirt and debris. Use dish detergent to clean them if necessary. Also clean out the groove on top of the pump where the "O" ring will fit. Use a little "Aqua-lube" or, if you don't have that, salad oil to wet the "O" ring before you slip it back on the lid (do not use Vaseline or other petroleum product). Have about 2 gallons of water in a pail, or your hose, ready and fill the pump with water before you put the lid on. Don't be shy here, dump it in as fast as you can. The water will drain out about as fast as you pour it in. Quickly screw the lid back on the pump and turn the pump on right away. All of the water will disappear from inside the pump but it will gradually fill up again. After you turn the pump back on, make sure the lid is firmly screwed down (it is not necessary to make it as tight as possible), and open the air relief valve on top of your filter. Air will gradually begin to squirt out. Wait until water starts squirting out, more or less in a steady stream, and close the air valve. Check your filter gauge to make sure it is showing pressure.

My pump won't prime:

  • Check that the pool is full enough, 1/2 way up the skimmer opening to the pool (mid tile).
  • Check that the skimmer flap between the pool and skimmer easily swings down and up.
  • Check that the skimmer basket is clean and sits down inside the skimmer.
  • Check that the pool cleaner valve is not set to 100% pool cleaner. Put it to 100% pool until the pump primes and then reset the valve to it's correct position.
  • Check the pump lid to insure it is screwed on firmly.
  • Open the air valve on top of the filter. If air is squirting out, the pump is working, it's just taking time to get all of the air out of the system.
  • After you have done all of the above, turn the pump off. Check to insure there is no dirt or debris in the "O" ring groove and that the "O" ring is clean and lubed. Re-prime the pump with water, screw the lid on and turn the pump back on.