How to Get Air Out of a Pool Pump [8 Step Guide]

Swimming in the pool in summer is a very pleasant thing. But if your pool is dirty and cloudy, you can't enjoy swimming!

To keep your pool safe from dust and other outside elements, it is important to keep the air out of the pool pump system.

But how exactly do you do it?

In this pool maintenance guide, you'll learn how to properly troubleshoot a leaking pool pump and keep your pool crystal clear for your next swim!

If your pool lines allow air in, it can affect the cleanliness and water level of your pool.

Here's a step-by-step guide to preventing air leaks from your pool pump system.

First, turn off the pool pump.

Turn off any other mechanical equipment running on the pool, such as the pool cleaning pump or pool heater.

Priming means adding water to something. In this case, it's your pool pump!

Once you've shut everything off, grab a garden hose or a bucket of water and fill your pump basket with water.

Fill it to the top!

If the pump basket is full, replace the pump cover.

Turn the bleed valve knob counterclockwise to open it. Afterward, keep the main drain valve open and close the skimmer valve.

If you can't find the bleed valve, it's usually located on top of the main filter pump or canister.

As soon as you turn the bleed valve knob, the water will spray out. Close the valve after all air has been exhausted.

The filter box (aka filter basket or pump basket) filters out debris or dirt that enters the pool.

Loosen the two knurled knobs, remove this case, and clean off any debris or dirt.

Take out the filter housing and check that it is full of water. If there is little or no water, use a garden hose to fill it to the brim.

With the pump cap and O-rings in place, turn on the pump and let it run for a few minutes.

You should hear a bunch of noise; that's just air being sucked out of the system and a stream of clean water is recirculated.

A damaged pump cover or o-ring (or cover gasket) could be the cause of air entering the system.

You can use lubricant or petroleum jelly to smooth the gasket and prevent air leaks. Then tighten the lid knob.

Typically, O-rings are more susceptible to damage, so you should replace them more often.

Filter Multiport Valves or MPVs direct water to perform different functions such as filtration, recirculation, or backwashing.

Set the MPV to the filter setting to remove dirt, other debris, and air from your pool lines or pool pump system.

Filter settings, whether sand or DE, will ensure your pool water is clean and free of foreign matter.

We stress that you must open the main drain and skimmer valves slowly to prevent large amounts of air from entering.

Slowly turn the main drain valve while you keep the pool pump running.

Also, you should notice air bubbles and hear noises, air escaping from the pool system.

Eventually, you'll just have water flowing through the pump.

Continue with this step on the pool skimmer valve. Remember to open it slowly! Once the skimmer valve is open, the water should fill up.

This allows your valves to perform at their full potential with minimal airflow in the pool lines!

During this step, the system fills with water as air escapes.

After opening all valves, check that the bleed valve on the canister is bleeding. You should also hear the air escaping!

Similar to step 3, open the vent valve to shoot out the water. When finished, restore power to the pool heater and pool cleaning pump again.

you are done! With a little monitoring, your pool pump should be out of the air in no time!

If you're not sure what you're doing correctly, it's best to do a test run. Here are a few ways to check for air in your pool pump.

You may have noticed that your pool lines are spewing air bubbles from the holes. You might have even played with them as a kid!

Those bubbles are just air coming out of the system. These air bubbles are a sign of a bad air filtration system.

This could indicate an air leak in your filtration system.

Air may be entering from the suction side of the pool.

Water enters your separator tank and enters the filtration system.

You can check that the skimmer is functioning properly by checking the water level. If your water level is low, your skimmer may be sucking in air.

Make sure you don't have an ultra-low water level; the water line should come up to the middle of the skimmer.

Also, check that the skimmer basket is properly seated.

Make sure this door is not stuck so your pool water will flow better and keep debris from building up.

Make sure the drain plug is tight to prevent air or water leaks.

A good application of the plumber's tape should seal the plug better and put it back in place!

Unions allow you to access pipes without cutting them. Check the O-rings on these fittings for damage and replace them if damaged.

Also, check that the O-rings of the fittings are seated in their grooves.

If you're a new above-ground pool owner, check out these questions to learn more about proper pool care!

Pool pumps are responsible for cleaning, sanitizing, filtering, and heating pool water. It basically works like a pool filter.

Most people would compare a water pump to a human heart!

Without a pool pump and without a pool filter, you'll be swimming in dirty, debris-filled water!

There are two types of pool pumps: single-speed and variable-speed.

As the name suggests, single-speed pumps run at a fixed speed, while variable-speed pumps allow you to control the speed to your liking.

A leaky pool pump can affect its overall performance, so it won't be able to work its magic effect on the water.

Air leaks caused by cracks or loose valve housings can be a pathway for debris or other foreign matter in the system and end up in the pool water!

Remember to perform a quality check on the pump every once in a while.

Check for any cracks or damage that have formed over time and make any necessary replacements or adjustments.

Probably the most common causes of air in the pump are:

Damaged or loose pump components

Low water level

Backpressure due to debris buildup

Either way, these pump problems can happen over time or as you fiddle with the inner workings of your pool.

Don't panic; there is nothing unusual about the air in your pool pump!

A small amount of air is normal, but too much can cause problems with the pump and pool filter.

As mentioned earlier, the air in the pool pump is not really the cause of the alarm.

It's only worth worrying about if it affects the cleanliness of your pool and ultimately your swimming experience!

Remember to be a responsible pool owner and check your pool pump for air frequently to prevent dirt buildup and ensure clean water every time you swim! If you still have doubts about swimming pool pump-related issues, or you want to buy swimming pool pumps, please contact us.

MAYGO is a professional custom pool pump and accessories manufacturer. We focus on professional technical solutions for residential and commercial swimming pools. At present, we have provided swimming pool solutions to thousands of customers in North America, South America, Europe, Australia, etc.