Help understanding how to fill a pool

[ssgonzalez]

hi,

My water levels are low my pump started to make a noise. I think is air coming in.

I know I need to prime my pump but I also know that adequate water levels will most likely fix the issue.

My question, do I prime the pump first or after I fill the pool?

To fil the pool can I have my pump off? It makes. A weird sound I don’t know if it’s good for the pump.


Edit: also I usually turn my pool off at night and turning up during the day 13 hrs. To save electricity. Maybe that could be an issue? Just the pump trying to get filled in again?
Thanks

 

[PoolGate]

I am a bit confused by your post. Are you talking about topping up for evaporation? Your pool water level should never get so low that you are sucking air. But if it does, then yes you need to fill it before turning the pump on. Pool pumps are usually self-priming.

 

[ssgonzalez]

I am a bit confused by your post. Are you talking about topping up for evaporation? Your pool water level should never get so low that you are sucking air. But if it does, then yes you need to fill it before turning the pump on. Pool pumps are usually self-priming.

Sorry I am still a noob, apologies if my posts are confusing

yes. So my water levels are low and I guess that’s why my pump is sucking air.

So I am filling my pool with more water now.

Do I prime the pump after or just let the new adequate water levels do their thing?

 

[ssgonzalez]

Also I am filling with water and this is how it looks now. Does it need more?

Why did it get low? I think some backwashing from early this week and probably yes some evaporation.

 

[Texas Splash]

Do I prime the pump after or just let the new adequate water levels do their thing?

It wouldn't hurt to fill the pump pot to help it prime easier.

Does it need more?

It should be adequate now. I might go a bit more closer to that next screw hole. I like to have my water level about 3/4 up the opening.

 

[Texas Splash]

Why did it get low? I think some backwashing from early this week and probably yes some evaporation.

That's just something to watch for now. As we get into the swim season, water and ambient temps certainly result in more evaporation. Winds also result in a lot of water. Of course your backwashing will result in some loss, so it could be a combination of all those. Something to monitor for a few days. If you feel that water loss is unreasonable, let us know and we can point you in the direction of how to check for suspect leaks.

 

[ssgonzalez]

It wouldn't hurt to fill the pump pot to help it prime easier.


It should be adequate now. I might go a bit more closer to that next screw hole. I like to have my water level about 3/4 up the opening.

Okay. Just one question. I want to prime my pump but when I opened it some water came out. Not a lot but it does come.

I turned off the pump and closed the pump valve. So I need to do that? What steps do I need to do to avoid air coming into my pump when opening the lid? Or is it just as easy as turning the pump off and opening the lid?

 

[ssgonzalez]

That's just something to watch for now. As we get into the swim season, water and ambient temps certainly result in more evaporation. Winds also result in a lot of water. Of course your backwashing will result in some loss, so it could be a combination of all those. Something to monitor for a few days. If you feel that water loss is unreasonable, let us know and we can point you in the direction of how to check for suspect leaks.

Honestly I think it was reasonable I backwashed it and I didn’t fill it back… noob mistake. I’ll be more careful now! Thanks a lot for your help

 

[ssgonzalez]

Also one last question, when you add more water do you turn off the pump? In my case I did that this time because the pump was making weird noises.

 

[Texas Splash]

I turned off the pump and closed the pump valve. So I need to do that? What steps do I need to do to avoid air coming into my pump when opening the lid? Or is it just as easy as turning the pump off and opening the lid?

When I need to open the pump pot (wet end), I turn off the pump first. Then close any 3-way valves on the pad to prevent water from flowing in either direction. Then you should be able to remove the clear lid to the pump pot. Once you fill it with water, replace the lid. If it needs more pool silicone lube on the lid O-ring, now is a good time to add some. Once the lid is replaced, open any valves you closed earlier and turn on the pump.

 

[Texas Splash]

when you add more water do you turn off the pump?

No need. When you see the pool's water level a bit low, just drop a hose in there right away and let it fill up. Pro Tip: Tell Alexa to set a 30 min timer. Not saying I ever forgot to turn off the water but .........

 

[ssgonzalez]

Also one last question, when you add more water do you turn off the pump? In my case I did that this time because the pump was making weird noises I’m in

When I need to open the pump pot (wet end), I turn off the pump first. Then close any 3-way valves on the pad to prevent water from flowing in either direction. Then you should be able to remove the clear lid to the pump pot. Once you fill it with water, replace the lid. If it needs more pool silicone lube on the lid O-ring, now is a good time to add some. Once the lid is replaced, open any valves you closed earlier and turn on the pump.

those 3 way valves you’re talking about. Can you help me point out which one are they?

 

[ssgonzalez]

No need. When you see the pool's water level a bit low, just drop a hose in there right away and let it fill up. Pro Tip: Tell Alexa to set a 30 min timer. Not saying I ever forgot to turn off the water but .........

Haha I am not on that level yet! But sounds like a good idea

 

[ssgonzalez]

When I need to open the pump pot (wet end), I turn off the pump first. Then close any 3-way valves on the pad to prevent water from flowing in either direction. Then you should be able to remove the clear lid to the pump pot. Once you fill it with water, replace the lid. If it needs more pool silicone lube on the lid O-ring, now is a good time to add some. Once the lid is replaced, open any valves you closed earlier and turn on the pump.

This is the one I closed once. I closed it so that the pump is closed from there but I am not sure if it’s the other 3 blue ones

 

[Texas Splash]

In your scenario, you will want to close-off water coming from the suction side of the pool. For you it’s that black 3-way valve up against the pool side. Closing that valve keeps water from flowing down from the skimmer to the pump.

To prevent water from flowing backwards from the other direction (i.e. filter, heater, return line, you could simply close the MPV on your filter setting. That should keep water from flowing out of your filter down to the pump while you have the id off.

 

[ssgonzalez]

In your scenario, you will want to close-off water coming from the suction side of the pool. For you it’s that black 3-way valve up against the pool side. Closing that valve keeps water from flowing down from the skimmer to the pump.

To prevent water from flowing backwards from the other direction (i.e. filter, heater, return line, you could simply close the MPV on your filter setting. That should keep water from flowing out of your filter down to the pump while you have the id off.

Ok so if I understood correctly. Close the black valve like I did one day (so that the water doesn’t flow to the pump) meaning the arrow should point towards the pump line so that this line is closed.

and also turn my MPV to the close position?

 

[Texas Splash]

The blue valves also help to isolate things like the heater and that final return line going back to the pool. That might work as well, but water could still potential flow out of the filter itself while working on the pump pot, so it's probably just best to turn the MPV handle to closed while you have the pump lid off.

 

[Texas Splash]

Ok so if I understood correctly. Close the black valve like I did one day (so that the water doesn’t flow to the pump) meaning the arrow should point towards the pump line so that this line is closed.

and also turn my MPV to the close position?

Correct!

 

[Texas Splash]

If it helps.

 

[Texas Splash]

I suspect a little water will flow out of the pump when you open the lid. That would be residual water from in the lines. But it should not continue to gush out with the valves closed.