How To Prime A Well Pump | Step-by-Step Guide - REthority

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For your well pump to function correctly, you need to prime it.

But what does that mean, and how do you do it? Find answers to these questions and more below.

Read on to learn all you need to know.

What Does Priming Mean?

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In the simplest terms, the word priming means preparing something for operation.

Priming your well pump is the process of creating a vacuum-like pressure that sucks the water up from the well to all of your water source lines.

Usually, you will only have to prime your well pump when the pump is first installed; once primed, the pressure remains in the lines.

You will only need to re-prime your well pump if something malfunctions or breaks.

There are two types of basic well pumps: submersible and non-submersible.

The only time you do not need to prime a well pump is if you have a self-priming well pump.

Submersible well pumps work best for deep wells since they operate underwater with the power source located at the top of the well.

Since the pump is fully submerged, it does not have to be primed.

In contrast, non-submersible well pumps work best with shallow wells and need to be primed to work since they are located outside the water source.

To learn how to prime a well pump, just follow these simple instructions.

This guide is for non-submersible well pumps, as submersible well pumps don’t require priming.

Before you begin priming, check for cracks, leaks, and damage to your well pump. This helps you catch any obvious problems and avoid causing damage to your pump.
After checking for damage, shut off the power source for your well and make sure the pump is fully disconnected.
Next, remove the priming plug. You can usually find the priming plug at the top of the pump in a hexagon or square shape. If the plug is not on top, try checking your pump’s manual; these can almost always be found online.
After removing the priming plug, locate and open the release valves. This step prevents any pressure from building up in the pipes.
Next, grab your water hose and attach it to the hole where the priming plug used to be. It should be fairly easy to attach and screw on, like a regular garden hose.
Turn on the water. Allow the pump casing to fill up with water; you will know when it is full when the casing begins to overflow from the priming plug and release valves.
Finally, put the priming plug back into place and turn the power back on (reconnect to the power source if you’ve disconnected it).

An important thing to note for this step is that you must prime your well pump with the water you intend to use.

For example, if you plan to drink this water from a shallow well, you will have to connect a hose with clean drinking water to fill the tank.

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