A pool pump is one of the most important parts of your swimming pool. It facilitates the circulation of pool water.
Hence, keeping the pump in good working condition is essential in ensuring that your pool operates optimally. Normally, the pool pump motor is noisy.
This level of noise may not be loud enough to cause any concern or distraction. However, too loud noise from the pool pump motor can be a warning sign that your pump is about to stop working due to various factors.
Dirty motor brushes and clogged skimmer baskets are some of the causes of excessive noise. Your pool pump may also make a lot of noise when the bolts that hold the motor in place loosen.
Since the noise can cause the disturbance, you will need to fix the problem as soon as it occurs.
Troubleshooting a noisy pool pump motor can be a simple do-it-yourself task if you have the right skills and tools.
Handy tools in this task may include a rubber pad, a screwdriver, an adjustable wrench, a wire coat hanger, and a hosepipe. This article discusses a few tips on how to quiet a noisy swimming pool pump.
Adjust the pool pump base
Start by turning on the pool pump and allowing it to run as you observe the base for any vibrations or movements.
If the base moves or vibrates while the pool pump is in operation, it is a sign that the bolts holding the pool pump motor in place are loose.
To tighten the bolts, switch off the pool pump, and use an adjustable wrench to tighten the bolts. Turn on the pool pump to see if the noise persists.
If the noise continues, turn off the pool pump, and undo the bolts that secure the pool pump to the concrete pad.
Insert a piece of rubber pad under the pool pump motor, and replace the bolts using the adjustable wrench. The pad will prevent noise by absorbing vibrations.
Clean Clogged Skimmer Baskets
Typically, the skimmer baskets are located on the sides of the swimming pool. A blockage in the baskets prevents water from reaching the pool pump motor, causing too much noise.
Check the baskets for any debris or objects, and remove them as needed. This will allow water to reach the pool pump motor and reduce the noise to normal levels.
Raise the swimming pool water level
Failure of the swimming pool water to reach the pool pump may be caused by an excessively low water level in the swimming pool.
The level of water in your pool should be high enough to reach the openings of the skimmer baskets. To raise the water level, connect a garden hose to a water tap, and run the hose all the way to the pool.
Turn on the spout, and allow the water to run until the pool water level rises above the skimmer openings. A high water level slows down the movement of water into the skimmer openings.
This makes it possible for any foreign material or debris to move in the water without being pulled into the openings.
Additionally, the debris will float high above the skimmer openings if the water level is high; hence, the chances of clogging the openings will be minimal.
Clean a dirty impeller
A pool pump motor can become noisy when foreign materials build up in the pool pump impeller, resulting in clogging.
To check the impeller for clogging, remove the strainer basket cover, connect a garden hose to the basket, and turn on the hose.
If the water takes time to disappear, then the impeller is clogged. Disconnect the power supply to the pool pump, and disconnect the pump from the plumbing.
Slide the motor from the pump, and unscrew the motor cover to access the impeller. Clean the debris in the impeller using a coat hanger, and assemble the pool pump.
Reconnect the plumbing, and switch on the pump to determine if the noise has subsided. The pump should be able to operate normally if the dirty impeller was the cause of the noise.
Bottom Line
A properly working swimming pool pump ensures efficient and proper operation of your swimming pool. Since the pump is essential for the proper functioning of the swimming pool, it is important to observe your pool pump for warning signs and perform maintenance as needed.
Proper maintenance will save you unnecessary costs of premature purchase of new pool pumps. It will also ensure that the pool pump is energy-efficient.
If properly applied, the tips in this article will help you how to quiet a noisy pool pump motor and prolong the lifespan of your pool pump.
You can also prolong the lifespan of your pool pump by using a pool pump cover to protect the pump from destructive elements.
A pool pump cover will keep dust, sun, snow, rain, and other foreign elements off your pump.