A well functioning pump is the heart of your above-ground swimming pool. But the maintenance of a pool pump is quite intimidating. No worries, the job will be easy to handle if you can bring some things back into balance.
So, we are going to talk about the above ground pool pumps maintenance. We can assure you of making your path easier for the process. Just stick to us for the last.
See what is exactly stored for you!
What does a pool pump do?
Circulation and filtration of water are the main tasks of your pool pump. You can compare this process with your body. Your body is continuously circulating blood, your pool similarly should be continuously circulating water.
So, this is why we called the pump the heart of your pool. Okay, enough beating around the bush. Let’s get into the point.
The pool pump carries the water from your pool to the filter, heater and to the chlorinator. After that, the water gets filtered, heated and sanitized. Now, this freshwater gets back to the pool.
This is how a pool pump prosecutes the flow of water.
How to maintain a pool pump?
We have discussed how the pump works for your pool. Now, you are going to know how to maintain the pump itself.
We tried to hit some points to maintain a pool pump. Let’s have a look!
1. Choose your pump carefully
It’s important to be your pump right-sized. If it’s too large for the pipe size, it will be dying of hunger for water. On the other hand, if it’s too small, your pump will be struggling against the resistance pressure.
So, try to get the answers to any kind of your questions before choosing a pool pump.
2. Place the pump at a safe area
It’s better to keep the pump away from damp areas and low spots. You also should protect the pump from windblown rain.
3. Provide air circulation around the pump
Make sure that enough air is circulating around the pump. It will prevent the growth of debris around the motor pump.
Clean the air inlets regularly, but before doing that, turn off the power of the pump.
4. Keep the pump dry before a long time break
Well, that means, if the pump is going to stay unused for a long time, let it be dry to prevent rust.
If you keep the pump outdoors, cover it properly. It will protect the pump from dirt, blowing leaves and other debris.
But, you can’t wrap the pump with an AIRTIGHT wrapper. Because condensation will form on the inside and cause damage to the bearings and insulation.
Hence, a special warning is, when you restart the pump after a long time, it’s mandatory to keep wetting the pump seal. Otherwise, it will cause damage.
- Avoid spray or water hose to clean the pump
For cleaning the pump’s body, use a damp cloth, that’s enough. Flooding the motor is one of the reasons for permanent damage.
6. Use lubricating product
Use a water-based lubricant to keep the pump working well. Noisy bearings indicate damages or failures. In fact, it will stop working if you don’t be careful.
7. Be careful while using chemical
Stay away from the pump when you use the chemicals for your pool water. The fumes may cause corrosion of your pump.
- Clean filters and strainer basket regularly
It will help your pool pump run efficiently. Besides, avoid sweeping dust near your pump when it’s running.
These instructions will surely help you to have a long-lasting pool pump. So, don’t neglect any of them.
What are the types of pool pumps?
Since there are three types of available pool pumps, you need to know details for picking one of them. Let’s check them out!
1. Single-speed pool pumps
The first one of the three is a single-speed pump which does its job at one constant speed and is able to function very well.
Another impressive thing is, this product is available for inexpensiveness. So, maximum pool owners use this one.
2. Double-speed pool pumps
It can change the speed from slow to fast. Yes, it actually runs at two fixed speeds. An automation system works here to adjust between the two speeds.
For flexibility with two speeds, you can freely set up the pump to different speeds for different tasks.
3. Variable speed pool pumps
This criterion is different from the earlier ones. It can change its speed from fast to moderate, moderate to slow, or whatever you want.
Variable speed pumps offer 50-75% less energy than the old school single-speed pumps even get the same job done.
Now you know the types of pool pumps. Pick the one which is a good fit for you.
What are the common problems you may face with a pool pump?
It’s important to keep your pool happy. Let you know some troubleshoots to protect your pool pump and have a happy pool.
1. The pump seems noisy
It’s probably the most common problem for a pool owner. Sometimes, pool pumps make annoying, loud screeching sounds as there are rocks inside the pump.
Well, the reason is, your pump somehow is dying without water.
What you can do is check the suction lines and the skimmers. If there is any blockage or those are clogged with debris, you have to clean them. It will let your pool pump work fluently.
It also can happen for damaged, worn bearings. In this case, you must change the bearings out. So, find out the reason first, then take measures as it’s demand.
2. The pump doesn’t turn on
It mainly happens for an electrical problem or for a jammed pump. The electrical problem can occur for a loose connection, an overloaded voltage or a bad capacitor.
To solve these, firstly, find out the reason for the problem.
If your pump gets shut down after it’s started, it may be for an overloaded circuit. Be sure that the wires are right-sized and get proper voltage.
If the pump initially turns on but after that, it’s not cranking, it may be for the capacitors. Check the capacitor whether it’s all okay there or not.
If there is nothing bad with the electric system, check the motor to see if it’s clear or not. Sometimes, it gets jammed with debris which you should clean regularly.
3. Your pump is being leaky
Your pump can get leaked by a pressure-side leak. The issue generally goes with a bad o-ring in the impeller housing or a bad shaft seal.
The fix is super easy, check out the shaft seal and the o-ring and replace them if they are damaged. The replacement is also quite easy to do.
4. The pump sucks in air
Your pool pump is not supposed to suck in air, it must be air-tight. So, if it starts sucking in air, you have to seal the chances of this happening in the future.
Okay, how do you discover the problem? Wait, there’s a simple way to find out.
You are going to use shaving cream. Just spread the shaving cream on the points where the pump seems to leak. You will see some pits in the area of foam if the pump gets leaked and sucks air.
To get rid of it, you actually should call a professional to fix it. Otherwise, you can replace the defective part.
5. The pump basket is not going to fill with water
When your pump is not filling with water, it probably has lost its prime. In fact, it also can happen for a clogged pump basket.
How to solve this if your pump basket is neat and clean? Okay, you now need to go through some steps-
- Firstly, turn off each power to the pump.
- Turn clockwise the air relief valve counter on your pool filter. It will release any existing pressure.
- Now, remove the pump lid. Clean up the debris from your pump basket. Use a garden hose to fill it with water and replace the pump lid. If you’re done, Set your pool return to open.
- Check the water flow whether it returns to the strainer box or not.
- Wait for sometimes, see the water is coming out of the relief valve, now close it. The water will flow inside the strainer box.
That’s it! Your pump has been primed. You now can be tension-free.
Conclusion
In the end, you may be thinking, the demands are not hard to meet, right? Yes, it’s really not that hard. We tried our best to clarify everything about pool pump maintenance.
If the heart of your pool isn’t working properly, nothing is going to be okay. There are difficulties to maintain a pool pump.
But, hey! Don’t be nervous, you will drop the problems like a stone. Things will be easiest if you stay careful and put the instructions in your head while using the pool.