5 Common Pool Pump Problems and How to Solve Them
Even the most cutting-edge, heavy-duty pool pumps experience functional difficulties from time to time. At GPS Pools, we’ve encountered just about every type of pool equipment issue. Fortunately, a malfunctioning pool pump doesn’t necessarily require a full replacement.
Still, a lot of Florida residents face year-to-year pool pump issues which seem to appear at random. Pool pumps see a lot of annual wear-and-tear, and a single storm, temperature shift or electrical outage can create equipment issues.
While most of these issues are benign, some can really wear down your pool pump to the point of dysfunction. In some cases, a dysfunctional pool pump can break completely—resulting in costly repairs and replacements.
It’s a good idea to identify any pool pump issues before they progress. In most cases, you can catch pool pump problems as soon as they happen. Other equipment issues, however, can be subtle. To keep your pool pump operating at peak efficiency, be on the lookout for the five most common pool pump problems.
Pool Pump Problem One: Loud Noises
Has your equipment been rumbling and grumbling a lot, lately? Plenty of Florida homeowners ignore loud pool pumps because pool pumps, themselves, often work behind the scenes. Between overtime temperature regulation, occasional debris buildup, and chlorine regulation—volume differences can be expected, right?
Well, not necessarily. While pool pump noises do vary in volume, day-to-day, they still stay within a certain sound range. As a rule of thumb: Consider the sound range of your own pump. Is your pump issuing noises that are a little out of bounds? Are the noises consistent, or do they seem to occur randomly? An extra loud pool pump might signal the need for more water in the pump basket. If this is the case, you should re-prime it.
Pool Pump Problem Two: Leaks
In some cases, examining your pump’s water levels can result in finding a completely different problem. This problem, of course, can result in a loud pump throughout the day as well. If your pump area is taking on extra water, scout it out by re-priming the pump itself. Here’s how:
An air leak causes a pump’s O-rings to wear out. When they wear out, they can’t create a proper seal to keep your pump’s water contained. Listen for hissing air on any pipes leading towards your pool pump. If you find any, spray the area with a hose to identify which pipe has the leak—as it’ll sputter water.
Step One: Set the Multi-Port Valve to Circulate
First, change your multi-port valve’s setting to circulate. This bypasses the filter system—so water will only reach your pump via the multi-port valve before going back into the pool.
Step Two: Fill the Pump
Next, open your pool pump’s lid—making sure any drain plugs are in place to prevent leaks. Use a garden hose to fill up the pump housing at the basket. This is priming. In most cases, you’ll need to fill the housing for about two minutes to make sure the water enters the lines.
Step Three: Toggle the Filter System
Once you’ve filled up the pool pump, put the pump’s lid back on. Then, turn the system on. If your pump has enough water, now, it should be considerably quieter. Just make sure you double-check for visible air bubbles beneath your pump’s lid.
Pool Pump Problem Three: A Bad Motor
Sometimes, the worst pool pump problems are the most common. Pool pump motors, ever-responsible for keeping your pool’s heating and sanitation systems running, do a lot of work in their lifetime. Over time, simple wear-and-tear can cause them to wear down to the point of dysfunction.
It’s tough to spot a pool pump at the end of its days, but it’s still possible. If you hear a screeching, metal-on-metal sound when passing by your pool pump—you might have a problem. This noise indicates that your pump’s internals are either stuck, creating a lot of friction or are loose.
Take a closer look at your pump motor. Can you hear any rattling noises? What about the sound of plastic striking metal? Any clanging, banging or screeching should be treated professionally—as, in most cases, the mechanisms requiring adjustment or repair are too complicated for DIY projects.
Pool Pump Problem Four: Difficulty Starting Up
If your pump motor struggles to turn on entirely, contact a professional. A slow, semi-responsive pool motor is never a good thing—even if external conditions have made its job a little rougher in recent days.
To make sure you have a mechanical issue on your hands, though, you should check the pump’s timer settings. Are they configured correctly? Is the pump’s timer, itself, keeping the correct time? You’d be surprised how often pump timers can be accidentally readjusted—causing plenty of panic for pool owners.
Pool Pump Problem Five: A Faulty Vacuum Cleaner
Even though your pool’s vacuum cleaner might be considered separate from your pool system’s other components, it’s directly involved with them. As such, a malfunctioning vacuum can indicate deeper pool pump issues. If your vacuum is slow to pick up debris, or if its suction fails to collect the dirt on the pool’s floor, take a closer look.
While your pool pump is on, make sure the vacuum’s cleaner line is open by checking the valve line. Clean the vacuum’s filter, if it’s dirty. If none of these routine maintenance options work, you might have a pump air leak on your hands.
Avoid Pool Pump Issues with Proper Maintenance
Here at GPS Pools, we take pride in keeping our community happy. Offering only top-quality products supplied by the industry’s best brands, our extensive product inventory has everything you need to keep pool pump problems at bay.
If you’re experiencing pool pump issues—or, if you simply suspect your pump might have mechanical or electrical issues down the road—don’t hesitate to contact us. Give us a call at our Lutz, FL location at (813) 948-9091, or contact us at our Land O’Lakes, FL location at (813) 345-8596 to get in touch with our expert team.