There are several reasons why you may find it necessary to re-establish prime in your pool pump. Follow these steps to re-establish prime in your swimming pool pump. Inspect the gasket of the strainer lid top to ensure that it is clean and will make a good seal. If a pump is either not moving water, or is moving water mixed with air, then it is said to have lost its prime. If on opening any valve it becomes clear that air has been released, then close that valve down immediately and switch off the pump.A pump which is not primed fully is not working very efficiently and could be causing damage to the motor. Replace the basket and fill the strainer with water. If the basket is damaged in any way, replace it with a new one and make sure that any debris is removed from around the impeller. Carefully open the strainer lid on the pump, slowly releasing any built up pressure. On the suction side of the pump, close all valves, including the Main Drain, Skimmer and Vacuum Lines Foot Valves Manufacturers It is therefore essential that a pump is regularly checked for prime and re primed if necessary. If the pump has not primes itself, then close the valve and turn off the pump at the mains. Keep repeating until all valves are open and all lines are free from air. Remove the strainer basket, inspect and replace. A pump is said to be primed when all the water has been purged from the pump and it is capable of moving water.. 8. It may be necessary to repeat the process of filling the basket with water, turning on the pump and opening a valve several times before the air is sufficiently removed from the system. Turn the pump back on at the mains. At this stage the pump should prime itself after about thirty seconds, and you will see the water surging through the pump. The first step is to turn off the pump. If there is no evidence of air in the pump or pipe work, then continue to open valves until they are all opened and the pump remains primed. Do not use tools to tighten the lid, as this could result in over tightening and damage to the o-ring and possibly the lid and pump body. Repeat the air purging cycle of loosening the strainer lid, fill with water, re fit lid and turn on pump again. Once you have established that water is flowing freely without air through one line, then slowly open the next valve on the suction side.It could be when you re-connect your pump after the winter closedown, after emptying the strainer basket, or if there has been a leak in the pipework system. Now slowly open one of the suction side valves, such as the Skimmer valve. Next replace the strainer lid, making sure that it forms a good seal, but do not over tighten as this can cause damage to the o-ring.