Pressing the steam trigger and hearing the pump click without steam following? On steamers with a trigger pump, the pump has to draw water to the heater, and an airlock or scale can stop it from priming.
Here is why the pump struggles and how to fix it.
This article will teach you:
- How the pump feeds the heater
- Why it will not prime
- What to try first
- When a part has failed
Why the Pump Won’t Work
- An airlock after refilling.
- Scale restricting the pump path.
- A low water level below the pickup.
- A worn pump.
What You’ll Need
- Distilled water
- White vinegar
- Your owner’s manual
How to Fix a Steamer Pump
- Fill fully. Top up the tank so the pickup is submerged.
- Prime it. Pump the trigger several times to draw water and clear the airlock.
- Descale. Run vinegar and water to clear scale in the pump path.
- Tap gently. Lightly tap the unit to release trapped air.
Pro Tip: A trigger pump often needs 10 to 15 quick pumps to prime after a refill, especially the first time. Keep pumping past the point you expect steam to clear the airlock.
When to Look a Little Deeper
Because the pump feeds steam, it helps to check related issues, and reviewing no steam at all, low steam output, or a leaking steamer can reveal the cause.
When to Call a Pro
If the tank is full, you have primed it, and it is descaled but the pump still will not draw water, the pump has failed, which usually means replacing the steamer.
Wrapping Up
A pump that will not prime is usually an airlock. Here’s the recap:
- Fill the tank fully.
- Pump the trigger to prime.
- Descale the path.
- Tap to release trapped air.
Prime it thoroughly first, and the pump usually catches. You’ve got this.