How to Prime a Well Tank
- 1). Turn off the electrical switch to the water pump or unplug the water pump from the wall outlet. Open up a nearby faucet to relieve any remaining water or air pressure in the system, then turn the faucet off.
- 2). Locate the water prime opening on the mechanical body of the water pump. The prime opening is near the pressure gauge on most water pumps. Some models have the pressure gauge inserted into the prime opening.
- 3). Use a wrench to loosen and remove the water prime opening plug. If you have to remove the pressure gauge, be sure to remove the gauge at the base of the pump. Twisting on the gauge itself will cause the gauge to break.
- 4). Pour water into the prime opening until the housing is full with water. Quickly reattach the primer plug into the pump body. The plug does not have to be tightened down yet. Turn the power to the water pump back on.
- 5). Listen to the water pump and watch the pressure gauge. The pump will make an awful noise when it first starts up, but should quiet down after a few seconds. The pressure gauge should start to climb as well.
- 6). Turn the power to the water pump off if the pressure did not climb. Repeat the priming process until the pump takes the prime. This could take several attempts, so be patient. After the water pump has taken the prime, tighten the prime opening plug with the wrench.