Solving Common Pool Pump Issues

Every pool, whether it's a small above ground, or a large in-ground model, relies on the pump more than any other piece of pool equipment to function properly. When a pool pump starts to act up, pool owners may notice their pool water quality start to decline. When it comes to filtration and even consistent water temperature, your pool pump can make all the difference. Knowing how to spot a minor pump issue before it becomes a major problem can help pool owners save a lot of time, money and hassle spent trying to get the problem solved. At Pool Problems? we encounter a number of different pool pump issues every day, most of which are preventable. To help you stay ahead of the game and keep your pool pump functioning properly at all times, take a look at the helpful tips about what you can do to fix common pool pump issues before they become a major problem.

Leakage
In any plumbing system, leaks are usually a sign that something has, or is about to go wrong. Your pool's plumbing is no different. If you notice water leaking out of the pump itself, or any connections in the plumbing system, you should turn the pump off right away. Depending on the extent of the leak, you may want to call a professional to handle repairs. However, if you are familiar with the pump and pool plumbing, you can try replacing any rubber seals or o-rings that may have deteriorated after a while to stop the leaks.

Pump Seal
All pool pumps require a watertight seal to function properly. If air is allowed to get into the water circulation, the pump will have to work much harder to keep things flowing properly. This can lead to an increase in energy costs, and will likely cause your pool pump to break down prematurely if the issue isn't fixed. A common way to remove minor air pockets from the pump is to shut down the pump and check to see if the top lid is completely sealed. Air bubbles will often be visible through the clear plastic lid, so you should be able to tell if the pump is sealed properly or not once you reactivate the system.

Minor Clogs
A good way to check the status of any pool pump is to take a look at the pressure gauge located on top of your pool filter near the hose that connects the filter to the pump. This gauge indicates whether or not the pump is moving water through the circulation system at an adequate rate. If water doesn't flow properly, you can start to lose circulation in your pool, causing the water quality to decline in terms of temperature consistency and cleanliness. If the pressure gauge reads 10 psi higher than normal (normal pressure is typically around 20 psi), you may have a clog in the pool plumbing system, or in the pump itself. Before you call for professional assistance, be sure to clear out the skimmer basket in your pool, as well as the filter basket in your pump. Buildups of large debris in these areas can quickly lead to higher than normal psi readings on the pressure gauge, causing your pump to work harder than necessary.

If you encounter an issue with your pump that you can't fix alone, make sure you call in the experts at Pool Problems? To help get the problem fixed properly. For more information, or to arrange for a free estimate on pool pump repairs, be sure to contact Doug at Pool Problems? today!


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