Troubleshooting for Your Pool Pump

Your pump is quite literally the heart of your pool – it keeps the water circulating by continually pulling water through the filtration system to get rid of dirt and debris. If your pump’s not performing, your pool’s not performing. As experts in pool pump repairs, we’re here to share some of the most common issues people face with their pump and how to address them.

pool pump repair

Sucking in air

Pumps are meant to be watertight but small air leaks are common and this can lead to poor water filtration and potential bigger issues such as your pump running dry, overheating, and seizing. If your pump is sucking in air, the first thing to do is check that the pool water level isn’t too low so air is being sucked into the skimmer box. If the water level is fine, check the pump basket lid and o-ring on your strainer lid and unions to make sure they’re in place properly and well lubricated. It could also be caused by loose unions in the piping, a small crack in your skimmer basket, holes in your automatic cleaner hose, or your drain plug if it has an o-ring.

Not pulling water through

Quite often if your pool pump isn’t pulling water through properly, there is an obstruction in the way. The first step is to take a look at the pump basket and see if there’s a build-up of debris that is getting in the way of the water moving through. If your strainer basket is full, it’s an easy fix – just clean it out. The culprit could also be a neglected filter and you can generally tell that this is an issue by an increase of pressure on the gauge. If so, give it a good clean out or backwash. It could also be due to an air leak which we’ve addressed above.

Noisy pump

While it’s normal for your pump to make some noise, you need to take a closer look if it’s suddenly getting very loud. At times, it’s as simple as the pump vibrating against the surface it’s resting on. If this is the case, a rubber mat underneath will often do the trick. A noisy pump could also be due to cavitation which is when the pump doesn’t have enough water flowing through it. In some cases, this can be fixed by clearing any obstructions that’s stopping water flow. If your pump is making a lot of high pitched noise, it could be bearings in the motor and these will need to be changed. This is often best left to the professionals!

Leaking water

If you notice that your pool pump is leaking water, it’ll be on the pressure side and usually starts out as a drip. The cause of your pump leaking water could be a deficient pump lid o-ring, shaft mechanical seal failure, bad impeller housing o-ring, a loose pipe, issues with the thread sealant or even a crack in the pump body. Have a close look at your pump and determine exactly where the leak is originating. If it’s a pump lid seal or o-ring issue, they can generally be relatively easily replaced. Mechanical seal failures are a lot more complicated.

If you’re still experiencing issues with your pump despite carrying out some troubleshooting, it’s best to contact a pool technician to take a look. Here at Pool Assist, our experienced technicians can assist with pool pump motor replacement and repairs. We have extensive experience with both commercial and domestic pools and pride ourselves on our exceptional customer service and attention to detail. From repairs and replacements to general servicing and cleaning, Pool Assist can help.

For pool pump repairs Perth, contact Pool Assist today on 1300 898 738.