META DESCRIPTION: Pool pump losing prime in Lake Havasu? Learn how low water, clogged baskets, lid seals, suction leaks and plumbing problems can let air into the system.
Why Is My Pool Pump Losing Prime or Getting Air in It?
You walk past the pool equipment and notice something doesn’t look right.
The pump basket isn’t completely full of water. You can see air swirling under the clear lid. Maybe bubbles are coming from the pool returns. Or every morning when the system starts, the pump struggles for a while before water begins moving normally.
That’s worth investigating.
A pool pump that repeatedly gets air into the system or loses its prime usually has a problem somewhere on the suction side of the circulation system. Low pool water, a clogged basket, a poor pump-lid seal, a valve problem or an air leak in the plumbing are among the possibilities.
In Lake Havasu, there’s another simple factor to watch closely: evaporation. If the pool level falls far enough, the skimmer can begin pulling air along with water.
What Does It Mean When a Pool Pump Loses Prime?
Your pool pump is designed to move water.
For it to do that properly, the pump housing and suction plumbing need enough water to establish and maintain flow.
When a pump loses prime, too much air has entered the system or the pump no longer has the water it needs to maintain suction.
You may notice:
- A large air pocket underneath the pump lid
- Water surging rather than flowing steadily through the pump
- Bubbles coming from the pool return jets
- A pump that takes an unusually long time to prime after starting
- Weak water flow
- The pump losing its water after the system shuts off
Occasional tiny bubbles aren’t the same as a pump basket that repeatedly fills with air. Look for a pattern.
Start With the Pool Water Level
Before assuming something expensive has failed, walk over to the pool.
Is there enough water?
If the water level gets too low, the skimmer can begin drawing air into the plumbing. You may even hear a sucking or slurping sound at the skimmer.
This is particularly relevant in Lake Havasu because pool owners deal with substantial evaporation during hot, dry weather. EverClear’s Lake Havasu City pool service includes checking pool equipment, circulation and water conditions as part of regular maintenance.
If adding water stops the air problem, you’ve found an important clue.
If the water level keeps dropping faster than expected, that’s a separate issue that should be investigated rather than continually topping off the pool.
Check the Skimmer Basket and Pump Basket
Water needs a reasonably clear path to reach the pump.
A skimmer packed with leaves or debris can restrict that flow. So can a full pump basket.
Lake Havasu wind and dust can put plenty of material into a pool, especially after a storm.
Turn the system off safely before opening or servicing equipment, and follow the equipment manufacturer’s instructions. If you’re comfortable checking the baskets, make sure they aren’t packed with debris.
Pentair’s pump troubleshooting guidance identifies a clogged pump strainer basket as one possible cause of reduced pump performance and priming problems.
The Pump Lid O-Ring Is a Small Part That Can Cause a Big Problem
Look at the clear lid over the pump basket.
There’s an O-ring or gasket underneath that lid that helps create an airtight seal.
If that seal is dirty, cracked, stretched, dry, damaged or incorrectly seated, the pump may pull air through the lid while it’s running.
Here’s the strange part: you may not see water leaking out.
On the suction side of the system, the pump can draw air inward through a small opening without creating the obvious puddle homeowners expect from a plumbing leak.
Pentair lists the pump strainer lid, lid gasket and suction plumbing among the areas to check when a pool pump will not prime because of an air leak.
Arizona heat and sun aren’t especially gentle on rubber seals and outdoor equipment either. EverClear’s pool equipment repair service handles pumps, motors, plumbing, valves, filters and other circulation-system components throughout Lake Havasu and Mohave County.
Could a Valve Be Pulling Air?
Yes.
Your pool’s suction plumbing may include valves controlling water from the skimmer, main drain or other suction points.
A valve seal can deteriorate. A fitting can develop a problem. Plumbing connections around the equipment pad can also become potential air-entry points.
This is where diagnosis gets more involved.
If the water level is correct, baskets are clean and the pump lid appears properly sealed, the next step may be tracing the suction system for an air leak.
Why Are Bubbles Coming Out of My Pool Returns?
If air gets pulled into the pump, it can travel through the circulation system and eventually appear as bubbles coming from the return jets.
That makes the return jets useful clues.
Look at when the bubbles appear.
Are they constant whenever the pump operates?
Do they only appear for a short time at startup?
Do they get worse when the water level falls?
Does the pump basket also contain visible air?
Those details can help a pool technician narrow down the source.
What If the Pump Only Loses Prime After It Shuts Off?
That’s another useful pattern.
If the pump runs normally once primed but loses its water while the system is off, tell your pool technician exactly that.
The system should be evaluated for places where air may be entering or water may be draining back after shutdown.
Don’t assume the pump itself needs replacement.
EverClear provides pool and pool equipment repairs and can inspect the pump, plumbing and related components before determining whether something needs cleaning, resealing, repairing or replacing.
Could the Impeller Be Clogged?
It can happen, particularly if debris makes it past the pump basket.
A clogged impeller can reduce the amount of water the pump moves. Pentair includes clogged impellers among the possible causes of reduced pump capacity.
But this is where DIY troubleshooting should have a stopping point.
Accessing internal pump components requires shutting off electrical power and following the specific manufacturer’s service procedure. Pool pumps combine electricity and water, so don’t disassemble equipment you’re not qualified or comfortable servicing.
The same applies to filter work. Pressurized pool filters can be hazardous if opened or serviced improperly.
Can Running a Pool Pump With Air Damage It?
A pump shouldn’t be allowed to run dry.
The water moving through a pool pump is part of normal pump operation, and a pump that cannot establish adequate water flow needs attention.
If the pump isn’t priming, repeatedly loses prime, sounds abnormal or appears to be running without sufficient water, shut it down according to the manufacturer’s instructions and have the problem diagnosed.
Don’t keep restarting it and hoping the problem disappears.
Pool Pump Air and Priming FAQs
Should my pool pump basket be completely full of water?
Under normal operation, you should see strong, consistent water flow through the pump. A large persistent air pocket, surging water or a basket that repeatedly drains down deserves investigation.
Can low pool water cause air bubbles?
Yes. If the water level falls low enough for the skimmer to draw air, that air can enter the circulation system. Pentair specifically lists insufficient pool water at the skimmer as a possible cause of pump priming problems.
Why is my pump full of air but I don’t see a water leak?
A suction-side leak can pull air inward while the pump is operating without necessarily producing an obvious water leak. The pump-lid gasket, valves, fittings and suction plumbing are possible areas to investigate.
Can a dirty pump basket cause poor circulation?
Yes. A basket packed with debris restricts water flow. Skimmer baskets, the pump basket and the filter are all worth checking when circulation suddenly becomes weaker.
Do I need a new pool pump if it keeps losing prime?
Not necessarily. The problem may involve water level, a lid seal, a clogged basket, a valve, suction plumbing or another component. Diagnosis should come before replacing the pump.
Follow the Air Back to Its Source
Air in the pump is a symptom.
The useful question is where that air is getting into the system.
Start with the easy clues: pool water level, skimmer activity, baskets and the pump lid. If those don’t explain it, the suction plumbing, valves and pump components may need a closer inspection.
EverClear Pool Service has been serving Lake Havasu City and Mohave County pool owners since 2005 and provides pool maintenance and equipment repair for pumps, filters, plumbing, valves and other pool systems.
If your Lake Havasu pool pump keeps losing prime, filling with air or struggling to circulate water, contact EverClear Pool Service to have the system inspected before a circulation problem turns into a larger pool problem.