Adding Value to My Home

Troubleshooting Tips For Your Swimming Pool Pump

13 May 2016

Irene Montgomery

Your pool pump is the heart of your swimming pool. It's the brains of the operation, pumping water in, then moving it into the filter, where it is cleaned and sent back into your pool. Without a pool pump, your pool would be more like a swamp. This means you need to take good care of that pump to keep it working properly. But what do you do if you have a problem with your pump? See below for some common issues and how to troubleshoot to repair the problem yourself.

Leaky Pump

A leak in your pump can be a number of problems. It could be a hose on the pump, a broken empeller o-ring in the housing or a bad seal. Check the hoses first, then turn the pump off and take the lid to the pump off to check the seal and empeller o-ring. If the empeller o-ring is broken, check your local pool store for a replacement part. If that wasn't the problem, clean off the threads around the lid and replace it to see if that was the problem.

Pump Not Pulling In Water

If you don't see water going into the pump, check the skimmer basket in your pool. There may be too much debris in the basket. Turn off the pump and then empty the basket (this is something you should do daily to prevent the debris from getting sucked into the pump). If that wasn't the problem, take the hose off that runs from the skimmer basket to the pump and check it for any clogs or holes. Also check the pump basket to look for debris, as this can slow the water going into the filter and being pumped back into the pool.

Pump Is Noisy

If you notice that your pump is noisier than normal, it could be that your pump has taken in too much air. If this is the case, you'll be able to see a large air bubble in the clear pump lid. Check that you have enough water in your pool. A good rule of thumb is that the water is about halfway up the skimmer hole in the side of your pool. If it's below that line, water may be getting pumped in and it's getting air instead. If that isn't the case, try to turn your filter to the "waste" setting for a few minutes to clean it out and then turn the system back on again. If that wasn't the problem, you may have an air leak either in your hose or through the threads of the lid. You can check for air leaks using bubbles. Rub some bubble solution or dish soap on the areas where you think you may have a leak and watch or it to bubble up. If you see bubbles forming, that is where you have a leak, then you can make the necessary repairs.

For more information, contact Above & Beyond Pool Service or a similar company.

Share