The hardest worker in your hot tub is the pump. It works to circulate the water through the heater, filter, and jets so that you may receive the soothing warm bath you need. After all, it is one of the primary reasons you bought it in the first place.
The hot tub’s pump only operates when water is flowing through it. However, the pump may become airtight. Even if it runs, no water is circulated. Given that the heater and pump are operating, the hot tub may not even know anything is wrong.
No hot tub owner would want their hot tubs not to do what they are supposed to do. When this happens, your hot tub may show a prime error.
What do you do next? Want to know how? Make sure to read this article until the end.
How To Prime Hot Tub Pump In 2 Ways
The circulation system in your spa may become clogged with air as you fill it with water. This air is forced out of the pump during priming, allowing proper water circulation. It is recommended to prime your pump before utilizing it for the first time, following refills, and whenever necessary.
Even self-priming pumps occasionally require help. You should consult your manual for information because the priming procedure varies slightly from model to model. Thankfully, a problematic hot tub pump is not a hopeless case. It just needs a little priming, and you are good to enjoy another relaxing bath. Here are two ways to prime your circulation pump effectively.
Priming Using The Control Panel
To prime your hot tub�s circulation pump using the control panel, you can get your pump ready with just a few button presses. Follow the instructions below:
- If your spa has one, you must first locate the priming mode on your control panel.
- Second, ensure your jets are on and low for 10 to 20 seconds.
- Put your jets on high for an additional 10 to 20 seconds.
- Continue until the jets normally function and the water pressure is normal, with no grumbling sounds or air bubbles.
Priming Your Circulation Pump Manually
If your hot tub model does not have a control panel intended for priming or the first solution is ineffective, you utilize the valve bleeder of a medium size hot tub pump to eliminate the trapped air. To do this, make sure to follow these instructions.
- Turn off your ground fault circuit interrupter or circuit breaker to prevent accidental contact with your pump’s electricity.
- Open the gate valve on the outlet side of your circulation pump.
- Turn the bleeder valve gradually until air begins to hiss out or purge air.
- Retighten the valve when the noise ceases. Water may flow here if you don’t secure it, so be sure to replace it correctly to avoid any issues.
- To check the jets, reset your breaker and turn your spa back on.
Helpful Tips In Priming Hot Tub Circulation Pump
In case you have problems priming your circulation pump, try applying these tips to help you.
- Start cleaning your filter thoroughly and look for any additional obstructions or leaks affecting the flow of water.
- To ensure that your tub is correctly filled, double-check the water level. You can experience issues with water flow if the water level is excessively low.
- Don’t give up after only one attempt at priming. Each priming process may occasionally take several tries to prime the pump effectively.
- If you are unsure whether your pump is full of water, never run it for longer than two minutes. It might harm the pump.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions to guide you in priming your circulation pump.
How Long Does It Take Hot Tub To Prime?
Each pump should be cycled a few times to prime or purge an air lock from the piping. After the priming mode has started for four to five minutes, the automatic heat cycle will start. After this, hot tub owners must verify that the pump connections are secure. If no water is dripping from them, then that means that it is appropriately sealed.
How Do I Bleed The Air Out Of My Hot Tub Pump?
When the tub is full, “bleed” the pump by disabling the ground-fault circuit wire interrupter, opening the pump’s bleeder valve with a screwdriver until water starts to dribble out, and then shutting the valve again. As a result, there will be less chance of air producing an air lock in the piping system.
How Do I Know If My Hot Tub Has An Airlock?
When you turn on your spa jets but nothing comes out, it is the clearest evidence that you have an airlock issue. The other telltale sign is when you hear air hissing coming from the pump or the jets or a gurgling or air bubbles sound (if this occurs, make sure your jets are genuinely open first, as closed jets might resemble this issue).
What Is Hot Tub Priming Mode?
The priming mode aims to manually turn on each spa pump before the automatic heat cycle begins. Usually, priming or purging any air from the piping requires spinning each circulation pump a few times to allow water flow. Four to five minutes after the priming mode kicks off, the automated heat cycle will start.
Conclusion
Your hot tub’s pump is what distinguishes it from other tubs that are merely large bathtubs. Although it’s normal for them to deteriorate over time and require replacement or priming, if you take care of your pump, it will maintain your jets stimulating for a very long time.
Remember to routinely balance your water chemistry, clean your spa and filters, and prevent your spa from freezing. Repair any flaws you see as soon as possible to prevent them from worsening. Make those easy procedures a regular part of your maintenance, and you’ll be able to soak without worrying for years to come.
