How to Get Your Eco Pump Spinning Again

If you've got a pool pump problem, you may actually be able to troubleshoot information technology yourself. Here are some common pool pump issues, how to troubleshoot, and how to ready them.

The Anatomy of a Pool Pump

Pool Pump Anatomy

Pump Lid: Fabricated with the aforementioned material as bulletproof windows, the lid is where you tin can audit the wellness of your filter system. If you come across air bubbles or no h2o while the pump is running, it could be an air leak on the suction side of your pool or the hat o-ring.
Strainer Housing with Basket: The h2o first enters here and collects droppings before it reaches the drivetrain.
Drain Plug: Used to drain the pump during winterization. You may have more than one drain plug on your pump.
Pump Housing with Impeller: This is the chief control center where the impeller, diffuser, and seals live. The impeller spins on the motor shaft which pumps the h2o from your puddle to your filter.
Puddle Pump Motor and Shaft: Its only chore is to spin the impeller.

1. The puddle pump isn't turning on or it'southward turning off while running.

If your pump doesn't turn on OR shuts off quickly after information technology's started, it'due south probably an electric problem. Check your breaker box for blown fuses And so, bank check your connections to brand sure nothing is loose or damaged. If you lot don't know what you're doing, rent a qualified electrician.
If your motor overheats and shuts downward afterward it'due south started, it could be an overloaded circuit — and so make sure you've got the right voltage for your pump. And check the motor'due south vents to make sure nothing is blocking the fan.
If the pool pump motor shaft isn't rotating, check to see if the motor is jammed with debris.
If the pump turns on but isn't running full steam and you lot hear a humming noise, check your capacitor. The capacitor starts your pump with a jolt of electricity. This is i of those parts that are best replaced by a professional.

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2. The pool pump runs but has low water flow.

This means your pump needs to be primed considering something has interrupted its suction or water flow. It could exist something blocking it, a muddied pool filter, or likewise much air in the system.

If in that location's something blocking your pump's suction, cheque your filter approximate. If it's 10psi above the normal reading, clean your filter. This will reduce pressure and reset your pump's flow. Then cheque your pump basket and impeller for droppings.
If at that place's air in the system, it'due south probably coming through the skimmer or leaky o-ring. Brand sure your pond pool water level isn't too low and check your skimmer handbasket for debris. Yous may need to fill your strainer basket with water and reseal information technology. Learn more virtually how to fix air in your pool pump.
Finally, you'll probably then need to prime the pump to become information technology going again. Run across the video below.

3. The pool pump is leaking.

If you have a leaky pump, look for whatever seals that need replacing. Check the o-rings in the impeller housing, the thread sealant, or the shaft seal.

To check for leaky o-rings, bend the o-band all around and look for cracks.
If you come across whatever cracks at all, it ways the o-ring as dried out and needs to be replaced.
If you don't see whatever cracks, only apply o-ring lube which volition help create a meliorate seal and go along your o-ring lasting longer. You can be pretty liberal with the lubricant as well. Don't be shy 😉

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four. The pump is sucking in air.

This can happen for a number of reasons:

A loose pump lid
A crack in the pump
A faulty thread sealant
Faulty o-rings and gaskets
An air leak in the suction line
A leaky valve stem
OR a plumbing upshot on the suction side of the pump.

Look for cracks, leaks, or bad fittings and replace the part. Check out our article on getting air out of your puddle pump.

Can't observe the air leak in your puddle pump?

Spread shaving foam on those possible problem areas. If in that location'south a leak, it will suck in the shaving cream, leaving an indent.

Every bit ever, if yous don't experience confident replacing a part yourself, call a professional.

5. The pump is making a lot of noise.

If your motor is really rattling, your puddle pump may just demand better water catamenia. Clear any blockages out of a plumbing line and look for air leaks.

However, if your motor has a high-pitched screeching audio, your pump could have bad bearings.

Of course, we recommend calling a professional to take apart the motor and replace the bearings. But you could besides try kickstarting the pump by softly striking the motor with a condom mallet or the soft sole of a shoe. Sometimes this can help. Simply be careful.

six. The pump handbasket isn't filling with water.

The pump could be sucking in air or your filter or pump basket could be clogged.

Clean the filter and pump basket
Check the water level in your skimmer. If it's low, that could exist your air problem.
Then use the shaving cream test to cheque for other air leaks.

seven. The pool pump is humming and won't outset.

Beginning, check the impeller for blocking debris. Turn off the pump and remove the screws on the pump housing. Pull out the pump assembly and remove whatsoever gaskets away from the impeller. Then, remove any debris you run across and put the pump dorsum together.

If you lot hear a buzzing or bustling noise, it'southward coming from the pump motor. This means power is reaching the motor merely is having trouble starting it. It could be a bad capacitor, centrifugal switch, or a buildup of rust in the motor. It could also mean the impeller is stuck.

iii Signs Your Pool Pump Is Well-nigh To Die

A well-made puddle pump should final about 8-10 years with proper maintenance. Merely how can you tell your pump is on its last legs?

i. You accept consistently low PSI from your filter.

If the pressure level approximate on your filter is lower than normal, you might take a clogged skimmer basket or pump strainer. But if this keeps happening even when everything is clean, it could be that your impeller is wearing out.

2. The pool pump is constantly leaking.

If y'all've washed everything y'all tin to fix your pump leaks but it withal occurs regularly, it could exist that the seal on the motor shaft as worn out. The good news is, this tin be replaced on the inexpensive without buying a whole new pool pump.

But if you have tried everything yous know to do and at that place is even so water constantly dripping from the pump even when it's turned off, it's a sign that the seal on the motor shaft has worn out.

3. The pool pump always loses prime number.

Of class, if y'all've troubleshooting correctly, you could still take issues with keeping your pump primed. It could be warped parts or it's just fourth dimension to get a new pump. Here's our complete guide for finding the all-time new puddle pump.

In the stop, if you're still having issues or you don't experience confident doing something yourself, telephone call a professional. And if your pump is constantly leaking or losing suction or has low filter pressure gauge readings, it might be time to get a new puddle pump.

Matt Giovanisci is the founder of Swim Academy® and has been in the pool and spa manufacture since 1995. Since then, his mission is to make pool and hot tub care easy for everyone. And each year, he continues to assistance more people with water chemistry, cleaning, and troubleshooting.

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