A water pump is one of the most useful tools in any home. As you know, without water, you may not survive for long. However, it is possible that you can turn your water pump off for longer periods especially during the winter season. As a result, the water pump will have low pressure, therefore, necessitating the need to prime it.
Priming means flashing water back into the water forcefully with an aim of boosting its pressure. In this article, I take you through the process of how to prime a water pump.
Preparation
Even though priming a water pump is not as hard a task, you still need to prepare well before embarking on the project. First, you need to make sure that your water pump is turned off. This is a necessary precautionary measure as it eliminates any risk of electric shock and other injuries. Different water pumps have different electric systems; you should, therefore, ascertain that there is no possibility of electric power running through your system while you are priming it in any case whatsoever.
Access the System of the Water Pump
In every water pump, there has to be that fixture that gives access to the interior parts of the pump’s system. In most cases, this fixture is located closer to the water tank so you should not have a problem finding it. However, when dealing with a unique water pump such as a pool pump, you can always find the fixture next to the strainer basket.
Ensure that the Water Pump is Working Correctly
It will be absolutely pointless to prime a non-working water pump. It is therefore very necessary to ascertain that all the parts including the fittings and pipes are in top condition. Look out for cracks and loose ends that may have resulted from the harsh weather conditions especially during winter. It is important to note that it is wise to check the parts regularly and not when you want to prime your water pump alone. This ensures that the system is in top condition at all times, therefore, providing you with quality services for as long as possible. Inspect the bolts, pulleys, belts and safety guards of the water pump while at it as well.
Priming the Water Pump
After ascertaining that there are no damages caused to the interior parts of your water pump and you have found the hose, the next step is to prime your water pump. Ensure that you use clean water for this process. You can achieve this by connecting the hose to an independent source of water in your home, for example, a tap. Once the hose is tightly in place, release the water to run through it and eventually flashing it in the process. This process should last only a few seconds.
As aforementioned, different types of water pumps and hoses are available. In that case, if your water pump system has some valves and pressure gauge, you should open the valves when flashing the hose and observe the pressure gauge readings.
Put the Hose Back in Place
After flashing the hose, it is time to place it inside the fixture that you located in step 2 above. At this point, your water pump should be ready for use. Turn on the water to flow through your hose, you should be able to hear some sounds of water flowing in your water pump system. After a short while, you will hear the sound of water starting to fill out the water tank. Again, depending on the type of water pump that you own, you can see the level of water rising in the water tank using your gauge.
Fill the Tank with Water
Now that everything is running smoothly, all you have to is wait for the water to fill the tank then turn off the water flow. In most cases, when the tank is full, you will notice water overflowing from the opposite end. If the water stops overflowing after you turn off the water supply, you will know that you have successfully primed your water pump.
Turn on the Power
Now that you turned the power off in the first step above, it is time to turn it on. However, you should do so carefully. First, start by powering the system on for about 1 minute then open the valves and wait until water starts seeping from them. Give the water pump to complete its cycle and if it turns off automatically when done, you will have ascertained that your system is fully primed.
It is important to note that you can fail a few times before getting it right. It is not a guarantee that you will perfectly prime your water pump with the first time of asking. If it fails the first time, be patient enough to repeat the process above up until you are successful. Additionally, it is always important to find a water pump that suits your needs. That way, priming it will not be as hard a task.
Benefits of Priming Your Water Pump
Priming your water pump is very important as it keeps your system going after a long time of staying dormant. It also gives you the opportunity to inspect the inner parts and locate any mishap that may harm your water pump. That way, you have the guarantee that your water pump will always be in top condition and that it will serve you for as long as possible. Finally, priming gives your water pump the much-needed pressure to operate smoothly.
Conclusion
A water pump is very necessary for many homes. However, to keep it working in top condition, you must prime it occasionally. This article highlights the procedure of how to prime a water pump successfully. All you need to do is power off the system, access the interior parts to locate the plumbing fixture, flush the hose, connect it to the plumbing fixture and allow water to run through it. It is also important to note that it is not a guarantee that you will successfully prime your water pump with the first time of asking. The process can take several trials but I can assure you it is for the greater good.
