Most Common Pool Pump Breakdowns

It's pool day and everybody's in swimsuits! Nobody will manage to keep away when the mercury soars over 40 degrees Celsius. However, that may not last long if some of the most common pool pump breakdowns happen.

All this is so that maintenance should come first to avoid such a sad event from messing up your day or that of the neighbors. Also, when the water is maintained cleanly, the pool pump works more efficiently. In this relation, it goes without saying how important it is to understand how you are supposed to protect your pool, especially in this ongoing pandemic of COVID-19. (saltwater chlorinator)

Taking Care of Your Pool Pump

Nowadays, state-of-the-art generations of pool pumps, such as those offered by ESPA, have automatic controls to avoid serious damage and even save on power consumption. Should some sign of failure appear, the pump should really be fixed. Equally, the piping system, electrical wiring, and accessories like the salt chlorinator or the skimmer should be under routine check-ups to detect any mechanical or electrical failure.

Pool pump motors will generally last between 4 and 8 years. Below we have compiled a list of the more common pool pump failures that can take the fun out of all of your summer joy.

Most Common Pool Pump Failures

1. Bearing Failure

Because the bearings support the drive shaft of a pool pump, they are prone to shock and vibration, as well as corrosion. If the motor sounds bad or hums, replace the bearings. Other than the noise it would make, an abnormally high electricity bill would usually be surefire evidence that there is something wrong.

Typically, both front and rear bearings are replaced. Bearings must be maintained yearly by lubrication to prevent rust, particularly when the pool has been used extremely seldom. The bearings for the most recent pool pumps are pre-lubricated and can last for as many as four years.

Bearings can also be damaged as a result of the mechanical seal leaking, allowing water to seep in and cause rust to set in.

2. Impeller Blockage

Impellers, also known as rotors, are responsible for moving the water inside the pump. These are typically manufactured from stainless steel or cast iron; they can be prone to blockage if the water being transferred contains solid fragments. In the case of a clogged impeller, the overall performance of the pump can be notably reduced.  (pool pump)

3. Damaged Turbine

The turbine is an impeller responsible for rotating and advancing water through the piping system. When it breaks down, the filtration system loses its water pressure and therefore has reduced water flow. This can be clearly seen when there is a leak of water from the pool. If the water in the pool is very dirty, upon failure of the basket, it blocks the turbine with the possibility of burning out the motor or breaking down the turbine.

4. Pump Deprimed During Start-up

Pumps need to have enough water on the suction side when starting. Priming involves filling the suction line and pump casing well enough with water to ensure proper suction to prevent leaving pockets of air. Some pumps are self-priming, requiring little effort. If this is not a self-priming pump, then you open the cover of the prefilter, filling the casing with water before you start the pump.

In case of no water, if the motor is kept running the shaft speeds up as a result of no load that may act against it. In any of the above events, the motor should be turned off immediately to avoid overheating of the motor as well as the mechanical seal. next blog