Who wouldn’t want to enjoy summer by going for a swim in their own pool? However, your best summer could easily become a complete mood killer if the “heart” of the swimming pool and the pool pump starts acting up.
Before you know it, the acidity level of your pool could change, and algae formation could ruin your pool to a point where you might need a costly renovation.
Thus, it is important to understand the common problems that might occur with your pool pump and to know when to replace or repair it.
There are three types of pool pumps commonly which include single speed, dual speed, and variable speed pumps.
Variable speed pumps are the most popular ones because of being they are energy efficient and haveing variable speed settings.
How long does a pool pump cover last?
Most pool pumps last between 6-and 8 years but with regular maintenance, they might last more so they should be replaced anywhere between 8-and 15 years.
You can either keep repairing the parts that cause problems or replace them. A full pool pump replacement can cost a lot, therefore proper maintenance of all your pool pump parts should be a priority.
Below you will find problems that can occur with your pool pump, and the necessary steps to be taken.
The three most common problems with your pool pump are:
The filter on your pool pump shows a higher pressure on the gauge:
Inspect your impeller for damage or clogs. Your impeller might be filled with debris. Anything stuck in the impeller will prevent the water from pulling through.
Be sure to check the hair trap and lint trap because overloading of these traps can also push the debris into the impeller.
The pool pump is overheating:
Check if your motor air vents have adequate airflow or not and if the voltage is correct.
Generally, exposure to direct sun for prolonged periods of time can also lead to overheating of the pool pump. If your pool pump is clogged for an extended time duration, it begins to pull air instead of water.
This causes the impeller to spin rapidly, which might cause the motor to burn out. This could cause serious damage and, in this case, the motor might have to be replaced.
The pool pump is making strange noises:
Strange noises generally indicate mechanical issues and often, it might have to do with the motor. If your pump sounds like a SCREECH owl, the motor bearings are shot – rebuild or replace the motor.
If your pump sounds like it is Gargling ROCKS, it is starved for water, look for obstructions or closed valves.
Pool pump troubleshooting guide:
● In case of leakage of air from your pump – there might be a problem around the hair & lint strainer.
● In case of water leakage from your pump – you might want to check for a problem in the volute or seal plate.
● If your pump is making a screeching sound, it is mostly because the motor bearings are shot – it’s definitely time to rebuild or replace the motor.
● If your pump is producing a sound like rock, or gargling, it is because of a lack of water, you might want to look for obstructed or closed valves.
● If your pump is heating up more than usual, check if the motor air vents have an adequate flow of air, and the voltage is correct +/- 10%.
● If your pump is unable to pump water, inspect for an air leak first, then check the impeller for damage or clogs.
When any of the parts of your pool pump are out of order, the most basic rule to follow is to get it repaired or replaced.
What you always need to keep in mind is that repair should be done only in cases where it costs less than the replacement.
Here are specific situations where one is preferred over the other such as:
Repair your pool pump when:
● Time duration: You should opt for repairing your pump instead of replacing it if it’s less than 5 years old. Most good-quality motors last up to 10 years so there is no point in spending unnecessarily on a replacement if there are minor issues with your pump.
● If you do not want extra plumbing work to be done which is required for the pump to be replaced, it is just easier to get it replaced.
● If you like playing around with your motor pump and solving minor mechanical issues on your own, it is better to go ahead and try it instead of getting external help and paying for it.
Replace your pool pump when:
If it has been over 8-10 years since you installed it. An old inefficient pump will cost you more damage and money than you can imagine.
● If your pump does not meet the laws of your state that makes it compulsory for you to have energy-efficient pool pumps.
This law is strict in some states and if your pump is old or in any way does not meet the requirements, you should get it replaced with a new one.
● If you’re not someone who likes to play around with your pump and thinks it’s just safer to get it replaced with a new warranty, then you should do so.
● If the pump is not the right fit for your pool, i.e., if it’s oversized or undersized.
Additional Read: All About Pool Pumps: Pool Pump Life Expectancy and Common Problems
How to select a new pool pump cover?
There are certain factors that need to be considered before you make a choice for your new pool pump cover. Some of the most important ones are:
● Type: In today’s date, the smartest choice would be a variable speed pool pump. It is the most energy-efficient one along with the latest updates like multispeed variants.
The single-speed pumps are gradually becoming obsolete because of their restricted speed qualities. It is not the most suitable for energy efficiency hence consuming more energy as well as money.
● Model: The best choice would be to replace it with the same model unless there was any different issue other than the model being 5 or more years old, as a problem with the flow rate of the model. In this case, if you replace it with the same model, it requires less plumbing work.
The dimensions of the pump remain the same and no digging up work would be required. Before setting up the pool, your plumber must’ve done the calculations and it’s better to abide by that in most cases instead of doing it all over again.
● In case your old model has become obsolete or does not come with an energy-efficient variant that abides by the laws, you should try to get as close to your original model.
Most important while making a change in pump models is to stick to the flow charts and get as close as possible to the flow rate, the height of the pipe, and setback measurements of your existing pump.
Before your summer gets ruined because of minor pool pump problems, you should go through this guide and make faster decisions about repairing and replacing your pool pumps so that you can enjoy the summer with your family inside the pool, and not outside of it.
Additional Read: 5 benefits of using swimming pool pump cover