Why is my pool pump sucking air and how do I fix it?

Your pump is sucking air because of an air leak on the suction side — usually the pump lid O-ring or low water in the skimmer after backwashing. Fix it by filling the pool above the middle of the skimmer opening, checking and lubing the pump lid O-ring, and manually re-priming the pump basket with water. If it still won’t prime, check the drain plug, valve stem, and filter connections, but nine out of ten times it’s the lid seal or low water. Don’t let it run dry for more than a few seconds or you’ll melt the pump seal.