How to Prime a Shallow Well Pump or Sand Point Well Pump

This video describes in detail how to prime a shallow well, or sand point well pump. Common problems with priming are explained, and solutions are suggested.

Step by step priming procedure is demonstrated and explained so you will have a better understanding of what is happening, and will be able to problem solve.

[mikemckay]

Thank you! This has got to be the most informative video I've ever seen on priming a shallow well pump!!! It couldn't have made it easier for the most unintelligent person in the world 🌎 !!! " I would have to give you a 5 star rating for your information and I really don't think it is high enough". Thanks Again!!!! Michael McKay.

[reyroman]

This is by far the best video I’ve seen about priming those pumps! Very clear explanations and directly to the point and showed how to do it! Thank you, you save me big money!!

[marciayestingsmeier]

Very good instructions. You make it easy to understand I am new to this and must learn.

[gregwalsh]

I have a sandpoint at my new cabin. I had no idea how to get the water running. your video explained everything I needed to know and I got it working in about a half hour. thanks so much for the great explanation of all the working parts.😊

[neildodson]

I was just at a point I needed to prime my new pump. I learned so much from this video that I would not
have had any success doing it my way. Thank you for sharing all that you have learned through
the years. I moved around some of my plumbing fixtures that just would not have worked. I didn't"t know
squat about a water pump as it turned out. THANK YOU MrGTMan for sharing and taking the time to
make this Video. Us DIY'ers have a lot to learn. I'm an electrical engineer trying to do plumbing. eeeek

[johnboyish]

This is good. You are right that most videos focus on priming a new pump. “The prime cycle” is the concept that helped me most. Nobody else talks about that

[johntrauger]

Thanks MrGTMan!
You helped me get my pump up and running. When you mentioned the vacuum on the suction line I knew I had it licked. Just needed to keep on priming!
Half way through my process I opened a tap on my suction side and noticed a pretty impressive vacuum. Didn't mean much to my old electrician ass at the moment until I saw the video.
I knew I was home free.
Thanks again. A lesson I will never forget!

[peterhalliday]

Thanks so much for this. I appreciated your calm step by step. I was very stressed doing this for the first time, you calmed me down and I felt prepared.

[mikemcgown]

Thanks for the information! A full tutorial of water flow and all the how's and why's. The other videos show the basics without full explanation.

[ccernich]

My god this is helpful. And particularly because you are so thorough. I was being waylaid (and becoming deeply discouraged) by all these other videos that show the pump working perfectly after just one prime cycle - I’ll try your method instead. Thanks, man!

[mrawesome]

Nice job. I'm glad that I'm not the only one that has to listen to when the water finally starts to pull through the pump. Sometimes it helps to pour water while it is running, but be ready for water to burst out. 50 PSI is pretty high, , but mine is just for a camp so about 22.

[hannahwilhelm]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge and the way you speak is so understandable, almost soothing to a very aggravated issue. Thank you and God bless

[Standpipe]

Thank you very much for this detailed video on how to prime a pump like this. This is the best tutorial I have seen. I learned a lot.

[johnathankeller]

Now I understand! Finally! I can’t thank you enough. Best description of what happens with this type of well system I’ve read, watched, anywhere. Thanks again, John

[andystieg]

Very informative.
I can't believe I've been priming wells for years with foot valves thinking I've mastered priming wells.
Did one today that's a sand point with a check valve instead of a foot valve and couldn't get it.
Will be trying it again tomorrow with this information in mind.
Thanks

[bobsmyth]

thank you thank you thank YOU...
this video- your common sense teaching....your explanation on opening a source above..and bringing up the level each time, bleeding the air..I got it..but better..I understood it..
I am one happy camper...t y.
My tank pressure was bumped it to 35lbs.-- & I went to a 40lb- 60 lbs pressure switch-- oh wait a while I had everything down I installed a new check valve & new pressure gage...
yea, hot shower tonight..
thanks again

[jednord]

After hours of priming and scratching my head, with no water, you've clearly explained what's happening in this whole process. I have hope again! Thanks for taking the time to go through this. Great video!!

[ogkinobie]

Thank-you for this video..you saved me from a ton of grief and lost time. Honestly I can't say how informative this was. Thanks again

[kimwilliams-guillen]

Thank you thank you thank you for this video. I could not figure out why I couldnt get my pump to prime, and you finally explained it to me. Got my well back up and running after some upgrades that ended up changing the location of the check valve (might have to put it back where it was) and the vertical relationship of the pump to the faucet outside, which ended up making it harder to prime.

[salderosa]

Thank you sir!! I was a bit impatient trying to get it primed. My check valve is midway about 8" from the well pipe and the pump with a cover that screws off. I will put a TEE at the top of the well pipe versus the ELBOW that is there now. I appreciate your time and effort in your video. HAVING KNOWLEDGE IS A POWERFUL THING!!!!