Also. Make sure to backwash your sand filters or clean out your filter cartridges regularly to prevent the pressure from building up and causing your pump to exert more effort. This could be due to several reasons, including a buildup of debris or something electrical like a bad capacitor. If trees and bushes surround your pool or your pets swim in the water, youll likely have to empty these two baskets daily. my shallow well. A pulsing sound coming from your pump is also known as pool pump surge. The fix is actually quite easy, all you need to do is to. First, you should never let the pump run for more than a couple minutes without water flowing or you could damage the pump Can you post up pictures of the equipment pad? - Steve talks about what can happen to a swimming pool pump if you run it dry. CLOGGED LINE - A clog in a suction line can hamper the ability of the pump to fill up with water. First, make sure that the unit is plugged in properly to your power source. Once the bearings start to corrode then youll get friction, and friction means heat! Copyright 2022 Temperature Master | Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Contact, Pool Pump Leaking? An older pool pump will need constant repairs, which can be costly and time-consuming. Backwashing your filter is necessary when the pressure gauge on the filter rises 8 to 10 pounds per square inch (psi) past its normal operating pressure. Make sure the valve is pointed toward the inlet pipe coming from the pool. When working correctly, pool pumps should be completely full of water. 1 - Pool pump power problems 1.1 Pool pump won't power up 1.2 Pool pump immediately shuts off after turning on 1.3 Pool pump randomly shuts off after a few minutes 2 - Strange sounds coming from the pool pump 2.1 Humming sound coming from the pool pump and it won't turn on 2.2 Screeching or roaring sounds coming from the pool pump while operating Motor Symptoms Grinding or Screeching - A sign of bad bearings caused by age or rusting. A problem like this is usually indicative of an overload in the electrical system or a failing capacitor. If something strange seems to be going on with your pump, do yourself a favor and get in touch with the pool pros at ABC Home & Commercial Services. Follow this step-by-step guide to check if this is the case: Measure the level of the motor terminal to the voltage. A bad start capacitor is incapable of kickstarting the motor, while a bad run capacitor cant keep it running. Some valves can close, which means they dont pull water from any source. And each year, we continue to help more people with water chemistry, cleaning, and troubleshooting. If any debris is found, remove it and clean the impeller until it can spin freely. Most of the time, the issue with a leaky pump (usually a pressure-side leak) is a bad o-ring in the impeller housing, bad shaft seal, or a bad thread sealant. Dallas, TX Jun 6, 2021 #1 I happened to notice yesterday that my pool sweep was no longer moving . In this situation, something has interrupted the suction or the water flow that causes the system to work properly. The motor wears down after about five to ten years, depending on the make and model. So, what should you do if your Intex pool pump isnt pulling enough water? For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. He also holds multiple patents for pool performance products he has engineered over the years. You must log in or register to reply here. But if those are clean and you're still getting consistently low readings, its possible that the impeller is wearing out. To fix this, make sure the water level isnt too low. If your pool pump suddenly shuts down while running, you may have an issue with the pump motor overloading. A bad capacitor may lead to the motor running at a higher amperage than it should. Cut off the main drain by turning the diverter valve. Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on: Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. We'll be focusing mainly on the suction-side of your pool equipment for this guide. Heres Why (+ How to Fix), Kenmore Elite Dryer Not Heating? Dirty filters can ruin a pool pump in no time. Click here for more information on how to determine if your pool has a leak, This is a very simple problem that can cause a lot of headaches down the line. One problem is easily fixed and one will require tinkering with your pool pump, so lets hope that its the first problem and not the second one. On the other hand, if something is blocking your pool pumps suction, check the filter gauge. These are things you really dont want to deal with on your own, because theyre typically complex problems that should be addressed by a professional pool repair technician. The second way to fix water level issues is to repair all of the leaks in the plumbing. The impeller can not pull enough water if it is clogged. The pump is working properly, youre about to jump into the pool, and all of a sudden your pump suddenly shuts off. Heres Why (+ How To Fix), Pool Pump Making Loud Noise? They may have been turned inadvertently, causing a decrease in flow to the pump. If youre having issues with the motor, check out my guide on how to replace your pool pump motor and check if you need to replace your motor or the whole pump. The fix is actually quite easy, all you need to do is to prime your pool pump and you should be good to go. Unfortunately, several things could be the culprit. For example, you might be pulling water from the spa or vacuum instead of the pool. If your pool pump has valves, they have to face the correct direction. After all, they need to circulate the water and run a motor in the pool so it wont be dead silent. Check the area around your pump for obstructions and make sure that theres enough airflow around the pump area. You'll need to determine exactly what the problem is by examining a few things closely. Ensure your basket lid o-ring gets a good seal and is lubricated; otherwise. A good pool pump can last ten years, but the fact is that it will eventually need to be replaced. Ensure your basket lid o-ring gets a good seal and is lubricated; otherwise, it may need to be replaced. The pump is primed and full of water. When I went to the booster pump it sounded a little different but it appeared to be running. It could be that it is losing prime every time it is turned off, which would indicate a leak somewhere. Check your skimmer weir doors - While it may sound funny, a stuck weir door can actually cause your pool pump to suck in air. If you live in a windy climate or have the pool sitting beneath a tree, you already know that leaves in the pool are a persistent problem. It's what keeps the water flowing and moving so that it gets filtered properly and stays clean and safe. It may not display this or other websites correctly. If your motor sounds a little off, it could be a problem. Be careful when checking because it might be super hot. Failure of the mechanical seal, if youre lucky, will just cause water to leak to the ground beneath your pool pump. For sand filters, a small amount of fine, silty dirt may pass through the filter all the time and be considered normal. 7 Fixes. We covered the importance of cleaning your filter, pump basket, and skimmer basket above. We are a registered 501(c)3 non-profit that is funded by user donations. Some of the things that might lead to such a scenario include: Some of these you may be able to deal with on your own. Now if youve successfully primed your pump but the water in your pump basket compartment still drops and youre back to square one, check your pump lids o-ring for debris or damage. You'll either have one or two, and sometimes something called a governor on the shaft end. Check water levels - This is the number one culprit for a pool pump to suck in air. If theres not enough water in the pool, the water wont flow into the inlet suction line and wont circulate water in the pool. Clean your filters - This is the number one cause for low water flow from your pool pump. Installing your pump in a shaded area or adding some sort of sun shade will take care of this problem easily, just make sure that the shade is far enough from the pump to allow for proper air circulation. Regularly empty out your skimmer baskets and pump baskets to prevent flow problems which may cause your pool pump to overheat. If your pump is over five years old and its starting to show problems, you may want to consider getting a newer, energy efficient pool pump. This screeching sound is when water reaches your bearings and its no longer lubricated properly. And as a shameless plug, this is why pump warranties are as important as the features of a pump when considering a pool pump purchase! The excess small bits flow into the pump basket. 17,110 satisfied customers. Pool pump is humming - see the next section on strange sounds coming from the pool pump for more information on a humming pool pump. Thus, it will overload with excessive heat and shut down. The procedure for priming most pool pumps is universal. The pump continues to run, still only small bubbles from 1 or 2 jets. Pro-tip: Never let your pump get above 25 PSI. If something doesnt sound or feel right, investigate immediately and dont ignore the problem and hope that it will go away by itself. Other things may cause your pool pump to overheat, including direct sunlight, corroded bearings and windings, pressure clogs, suction clogs, and a lack of airflow. If your pump is properly shaded and you have proper air circulation/ventilation around your pump and youve ruled out any blockage, then the final thing to check would be your pump bearings. Water, wind, and the vibrations coming from the pump itself may cause the base of the pump to shift slightly. ABCs licensed pool technicians can repair or maintain your pool or spa. Its highly recommended that you hire a professional to test and/or replace your pump capacitor. Any new postings here are unlikely to be seen or responded to by other members. 1.6K 257K views 2 years ago POOL MAINTENANCE Tutorials If your pool pump isn't working, you may actually be able to troubleshoot it yourself. Ah, heres one no one likesespecially your neighbors! Unclog your pools filter with this process: Check out Swim Universitys video tutorial to learn how to clean a DE or sand filter: If you have any other issues with your pool pump, check out our other pool pump troubleshooting articles: Pool Pump Keeps Shutting Off? Simple enough problem right? Your pool pump needs to circulate the water, or the pool will get algae, and the motor will overheat. Remove the retaining bracket from the filter, then set the top portion (or lid) aside. You'll usually be able to tell because the motor shaft wont rotate. Make sure you're wired for the proper voltage and that your wire sizes are right. How do you know if your capacitor is faulty? 4. A low water level could create a situation where the pump runshalf empty or dry. Use shaving cream to check for air leaks in plugs. Disconnect the pumps housing assembly from the motor by removing the retaining screws. (You can find the fixes for those in the above section.). PUMP BASKET - With the pump off, check thepump basket and clean it out if necessary. The most common pump leak is from the connection point in between the pump body and the motor. Others are better suited to a pool services company. You can access the plumbing without digging a hole, and you dont have to worry about tree roots and other debris breaking anything that you cant see. But if you have tried everything you know to do and there is still water constantly dripping from the pump even when its turned off, it's a sign that the seal on the motor shaft has worn out. Check if your pool pumps motor is available from the manufacturer. Small symptoms are usually a precursor to a bigger problem with your pool pump. 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