Pool pump problems are caused by a whole range of issues. Please read this article to diagnose and resolve your pump problem.
Table of Contents
Pump Won’t Turn On
When the pump doesn’t operate it’s the most serious of pool pump problems. It’s important to fix it as soon as possible because without filtration your pool will soon turn into a green swamp.
The first thing to check is the power supply. Does the pump power socket supply power to the pump? Test the power outlet by plugging in another electrical device, such as a power tool, to ensure the electricity supply is working. If there is no power supply check the meter box to ensure the circuit breaker is on and doesn’t keep tripping off. If still no power supply it’s time call an electrical contractor.
When there is power and the pump does not operate, check the timer. Check for a timer failure or incorrect setting. If the timer is moving and keeping correct time move on to the motor unit.
Maybe the motor is making a buzzing noise indicating that power is reaching the motor but the motor cannot start. Turn off the power and try rotating the motor shaft manually. The motor shaft should rotate freely otherwise it maybe clogged or blocked with debris. Look for loose wire connections, blown motor fuse or damaged motor capacitor. Is there a burning smell coming from the motor?
If the motor still doesn’t work and the motor is older than 8 or 10 years its’ probably not economical to try to repair it. Buy a new motor like Black and Decker that comes with a 5-year warranty.
Pump Won’t Catch Prime
Pumps not catching prime is one of the most common pool pump problems.
Priming the pool pump means eliminating the trapped air pockets and filling the filtration system with water to get it started.
Air becomes trapped in the filtration system for the following reasons:
- The pump basket was opened for cleaning and water drained away back into the skimmer box and pool. The pump basket was closed leaving an air pocket in the pump.
- Opening and cleaning the filter cartridge will leave an air pocket in the filter tank.
- The pool water level is too low causing the skimmer box to become partially empty when the pump draws water into the filter plumbing. Air sucks into the pump and filter causing an air pocket.
- When the skimmer box weir flap becomes stuck with debris it can cause the box to run dry when the pump is running. Air sucks into the pump and filter.
- The pool was prepared for the winter by flushing water from the filtration system and plumbing to prevent water freezing in the pipes. Now you are opening the pool for the summer season and need to remove air in the system.
- The pool was emptied and water drained from the plumbing pipes. When the pool was refilled with water it created air pockets in the filtration system.
- An incorrectly positioned pump valve or multiport valve may allow air to enter into the plumbing from the drain.
- A pump valve or multiport valve with a worn gasket seal may allow air into the system.
- There may be a leak in the pipe connections or pump basket lid allowing air into the system.
Please read How to Prime a Pool Pump
Pump Pressure is Too Low
If the water pressure in the filter is too low the filter will not clean the pool water effectively. This usually indicates a blockage restricting water flow to the pump.
Common causes are:
- Dirty skimmer basket
- Blocked pump basket
- Main valve set in an incorrect position
- Incorrectly set multiport valve
- Blockage in the plumbing before the pump
- Undissolved salt in the plumbing system. Remove the filter cartridge and run the pump to clear it.
Low pressure can also occur when there is a hole in the filter cartridge and water is bypassing the filter element.
Pump Pressure is Too High
If the water pressure in the filter is too high the water flow is too weak and the filter will not turn over enough water to clean the pool. This usually indicates a blockage restricting water flow after the pump to the filter or after the filter back to the pool.
Usually, the water pressure gradually increases as the filter fills up with dirt and debris. Cleaning the filter reduces the water pressure back down to the normal operating pressure.
Common causes are:
- Pool filter is dirty
- Pool filter element is old and needs replacement
- Filter media (sand) needs replacement
- Incorrectly set multiport valve
- The water heater has a blockage
- The saltwater chlorinator has a blockage
- Return jets too small
- Return jet blockage
- Undissolved salt in the plumbing system. Remove the filter cartridge and run the pump to clear it.
- Calcium scale build-up in the plumbing pipes
The high pressure may cause damage to the filter cartridge or other equipment. The pump motor will run hot while straining to move the water through the filter.
Pump is Over-Heating
Most pool pumps are water cooled so if the pump runs dry it will begin to overheat especially if operating in summer conditions. The high heat and stress on the pump will damage the motor and seals.
If your pump is over-heating you need to prime the pump and ensure there is sufficient water flow through the pump.
Pump is Loud or Noisy
A noisy pool pump is one of the most common pool pump problems.
All swimming pool pump motors make noise but maybe your pump noise has become excessive or annoying. Investigate the cause and implement one of the following solutions to the problem.
Sometimes there is a simple reason for a swimming pool pump making excessive noise.
If you have one of the following issues you may be able to quickly and simply reduce the noise with little effort.
Blocked filtration equipment
Clean the skimmer basket, pump basket and filter. If the skimmer box is full of debris this will choke the water supply to the pump causing the pump to draw in air making a gurgling noise and placing mechanical strain on the motor.
If you have filter cartridge and it’s old and dirty, replace it. A new filter cartridge will not only make your filter quieter but will clean the pool much better than the old cartridge.
If you have a sand filter, backwash and rinse the filter. If the sand has been in the filter for a while change to new sand or better still try filter balls.
Low water level
Sometimes the pump noise is caused by a low pool water level. The skimmer box draws air into the plumbing which is trapped in the pump basket or around the impeller blade inside the pump.
Your pool pump can be struggling to draw in water to the filter system. You will notice the skimmer flap is drawn wide open, the box fills with water and the flap closes. The water in the skimmer box is quickly sucked away by the pump and then the flap will open again to refill the skimmer box. When the box is empty the pump is sucking in air causing the noisy, gurgling sound at the filter. At the pump you will see the pump basket fill with water and be sucked dry then refill with water again.
Add water to the pool to increase the water level to the midway mark of the skimmer flap.
Loose mounting bracket
Sometimes a pool pump can be noisy because it is vibrating on its mounting. In fact, the whole filtration unit (motor, filter, pipes, etc.) can be vibrating because it is no longer fastened securely to the base or it was never properly fastened when installed.
Check the mounting bolts are tight. It is normal for mounting bolts to work loose over time due to the constant vibration from the motor unit. If loose tighten up with a spanner or socket wrench.
Clean the Pool Pump Impeller
The impeller is the spinning blade mechanism inside the pool pump unit.
If the pump basket has been dirty, debris may have been sucked into the pump impeller which will need to be cleaned out. If the pool pump impeller is partially blocked this will cause a noisy pump that is straining to suck water into the filter. In a severe case you may get cavitation which is when the pump is sucking air to the impeller blade causing a vibration of the blade.
One way to clean the impeller is to remove the pump basket and suck out the debris from the pump pipes with a vacuum cleaner by inserting the vacuum nozzle into the pipe. Otherwise, you will need to open the pump unit by removing the pump housing and clean out the debris.
Pump Leaks Water
Pumps only leak water in the plumbing after the pump motor. Leaks before the motor will be air drawn into the plumbing by the motor’s suction so you will never see water escaping before the pump.
The most common leak is at a joiner connecting two pipes or a pipe to a pump, filter, salt chlorinator, water heater or other device. Sometimes, simply tighten or replace the connector to fix the problem and stop the leak. You may need to replace the seal in the connector. I recommend replacing fixed connectors with screw-up connectors.
The next most common water leak develops within the filter unit. Look around and under the pump to see where the water is coming from. It may be running down the side of the filter casing from the valve at the top caused by a loose clamp band. The pressure gauge may be leaking.
Other leaks may be from extra equipment such as water heaters or chlorinators.
Pump Loses Pressure When Vacuuming
A number of issues can cause a drop in pressure.
The vacuum hose may have a blockage or partial restriction causing the water flow to drop and strain the pump motor. The hose may have a split or leak which is drawing in air to the pump.
The vacuum plate in the skimmer box may not be producing a good seal. The vacuum plate should be completely underwater to reduce the chance of introducing air to the system.
The pump basket may be clogged with debris or the lid may have a leak allowing air in to the pump.
The filter may have become clogged with debris. Clean the filter. If the pool is very dirty try vacuuming to waste to clean the pool and not clog the filter.
Or you may have introduced an air pocket when connecting the vacuum hose to the skimmer box plate or pipe. Before connecting up the vacuum hose hold it over an outlet jet with the pump running to expel air from the hose.
Try vacuuming to waste to see if that causes a drop in pressure. If there is no drop in pressure then your filter needs cleaning or replacement of the cartridge.
Pump Won’t Turn Off
When a pump motor won’t turn off it’s a problem with the controller circuit and timer. The timer dial may not be rotating or the digital system is not configured correctly or has developed a fault.
Can you manually turn off the timer circuit?
Does the timer system keep the correct time?
Is your pump configured to run continuously at low speed?
Some above ground pumps don’t have a timer switch and run continuously. Purchase a separate timer switch to plug into the power supply to control the pump.
Pump is Expensive to Operate
Are you finding you are running the pump longer to clean the pool and your power bills are increasing?
Old-style single speed pumps operate at one set speed for all filtering and cleaning operations. This is not ideal as on average the motor will consume too much power for the workload. Most modern filters only require low power pump pressure to operate efficiently. High power and increased water pressure is only required when vacuuming or draining the water from a pool.
When a motor begins to use more electricity it usually indicates the motor is coming to the end of its life. The internals of the motor are wearing out and producing more friction, heat and sound. The motor is no longer running smoothly. The motor’s output reduces and the motor has difficulty keeping up with the workload.
When an electric pool pump ages it loses its operating efficiency. It loses power output and consumes more energy. The motor bearings wear down causing the pump to make a grinding sound and generally become noisier. The impeller blade develops wear reducing the pump’s ability to push water through to the filter.
Swimming pool pumps have a life span of 10 to 15 years. This is similar to most other electrical devices that operate an electric motor. When your fridge, washing machine or vacuum cleaner is 15 years old you would be moving it out into the street for the council pickup.
Still Got Pool Pump Problems
Over time, pool pumps become noisier due to internal parts wearing down and the pump no longer functioning effectively.
If the above measures didn’t solve the problem it’s probably time to purchase a new pump.
If you have an old pool pump, rather than spending your time and money to recondition the pump it’s usually more cost efficient to purchase a new pump.
Replacement pool pumps must be variable speed pumps to comply with the new power efficiency regulations. Manufacturers no longer make single speed pumps.