Can a Pool Pump Be Higher Than the Pool?

Pool pump placement changes the water pressure going through the filter, heater, salt system, and other swimming pool equipment. If your pool pump is too low or too high, it’ll cause long-term issues that could invite algae and lead to early repairs.

A pool pump can be up to three feet higher than the pool. Too much elevation will cause the pump motor to strain, which can make it overheat and wear down much faster than it should. Measure the elevation between the highest water inlet compared to the union on the pool pump to know the difference.

Today, I’ll show you what happens when your pool pump is too high above the pool’s water level, what you can do about it, and which elevation is the best for your swimming pool equipment.

Should the Pool Pump Be Higher Than the Pool?

Your pool pump should ideally be at the same level as your pool, but that’s rarely possible. Try to keep your pool pump within two to three feet in elevation compared to the pool’s water level. You can use plumbing fittings, including 90-degree fittings and elbows, to accommodate plumbing elevation changes.

Here’s what can happen if the pump is too high above the pool:

• You’ll have difficulty priming the pump because it has to work against gravity.
• The pool pump’s motor will overheat because it’s working harder to pull water upward.
• You might think your pool filter is clogged because the PSI goes down from the slow water movement.

If the pool pump is too far blow the pool water level, it might encounter these issues:

• In the Swim explains that your pool pump’s motor can flood if it’s sloped below the water level.
• It’ll be much harder to work on your pool pump or repair the plumbing without a three-way valve since the water will constantly flow into the pump.

Many pool owners put their pool pumps below the water level because it’s much easier to prime the pump. It’s worth weighing the pros and cons to know if your pool pump should be below or above the water line.

How Do You Prime a Pool Pump That’s Higher Than the Pool?

To prime a pool pump that’s higher than the pool, follow these instructions:

1. Remove the debris from the pump basket and skimmer basket. Pool debris can greatly reduce the flow, which means it’s much more challenging to move water uphill. Always turn off your pump before cleaning any of the baskets throughout the plumbing and equipment pad.
2. Fill the pump with water until the water stops draining out of the pump basket. Once water stops draining through the inlet union or outlet union, it means the lines are completely full. You have to have a full pump to prime it, even if your pump is self-priming.
3. Close the pump lid, open the filter’s air relief valve, then turn on the pump. The valve should be on top of the filter, not the pump (unless you have an above-ground Intex or Bestway pool pump-filter combo. This process removes excess air bubbles, allowing the pump to prime.
4. Close the air relief valve once the water comes out of it. It’ll rush out quickly, sort of like a garden hose. Shut the valve and check the PSI on the filter pressure gauge. It should be between 10 to 20 PSI. Once the PSI goes above 20, it’s time to clean the filter.
5. Adjust three-way valves and multiport valves as necessary to improve the pump’s prime. You can close lines going to the heater, solar, or hot tub if you’re not using them. A pump shouldn’t have to be primed as long as the water level is above the highest water inlet, which is usually the skimmer basket.

Pool pumps that are too high above the water line will have trouble priming. You might notice your pool pump pressure reducing until it can’t pull water anymore. This is often a sign that there’s air in the system or the motor is failing from working too hard.

On the bright side, pool pumps can be rebuilt. It usually costs less to repair or rebuild a pool pump than it does to get a replacement. I always tell pool owners that they should get a high-horsepower pump if the pump is above the water level. This ensures that it has enough power to pull the water uphill.

How High Should a Pool Pump Be?

A pool pump should be three feet or less between the water level and the inlet union. The pump should never be too far above or below the water level because it can strain the pump motor or reduce the pump’s pressure. A pump that’s too low is also prone to motor flooding.

So, how can you decide how high your pool pump should be?

• If you live in a flood zone, keep your pool pump at least one foot above the swimming pool. Pool pumps can get wet, but if the motor floods, it has to be replaced. Pool motors, capacitors, and wires can’t get wet, so make sure they’re high enough to prevent flooding.
• If you have trouble priming pool pumps, keep it a foot below the water line (or at the same level). While this makes it much easier to maintain for general purposes, it also makes repairs a bit more challenging since water will soak the PVC glue.
• Check your local pool company’s pump placement recommendations. River Pools and Spas suggests keeping your pool pump at or below the water level. However, that placement isn’t always possible. priming a pool pump above the water level is much harder.

I always encourage pool owners to keep their pool pumps as close to the same level as the water line. While the measurements are rarely perfect, it’s important to make sure it’s within a few feet. The last thing you want is to have to add several valves and automation systems to prime the pump if you don’t have to.