Pool Pumps
General Pool Filter Questions:
Trouble Shooting your Swimming Pool Pump
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General Questions:
Q: How does my Swimming Pool Pump work?
A: Most swimming pool pumps are self-priming centrifugal pumps. These pumps must have a vacuum chamber, commonly known as a pump housing. The pump housing must be filled with water in order for any pump to create a vacuum, resulting in your pump pulling the water out of your swimming pool or spa. The pool pump housing will remain full of water while the pump is on, and will remain full or partially full of water when the pump is shut off.
When you turn on the pool pump the motor will begin to rotate on high speed (dual speed pumps rotate at the preselected speed). The motor drives the pump impeller, located inside the pumps center portion at the opposite end, away from the electrical switch portion of the motor. While the motor is rotating, the tips of the impeller are sealed hydraulically inside of the pump diffuser, this allows self-priming to occur.
Self-priming can only occurr when the pump has a diffuser. Some pool pumps have a separate diffuser, others have the diffuser molded into the pool pump's cover, refer to your Owner's Manual for your pump. The diffuser helps to eliminate any air coming into the pool pump housing, suction piping, or hoses on above ground pools. When all the air is being removed from the system, you will notice the bubbles returning to the pool through the return fittings. The impeller acts to convert water velocity into water pressure, which is registered on your filter pressure gauge. The actual Gallons Per Minute (GPM) varies with the type of pump and the horsepower. Check your Owner's Manual for more information (owner's manuals can be found online under the detailed page of your pump).
Self-priming pool pumps are very dependable and simple in design. They require a sufficient supply of water from the swimming pool or spa, and no air in the suction lines. Air could come from a loose strainer cover, a leak in any valve, a pin hole in any suction line or any crack or loose connections in the underground piping. Your swimming pool pump should be kept free of dirt and also located where it can be protected from flooding during heavy rain fall. If your pool pump motor becomes flooded you will probably have to replace it (pump motors damaged by flooding are not covered by warranty)
Q: Can I run my pump without water?
A: Most pool pumps should never be run without water in them. Doing so causes the pumps to overheat, potentially causing damage to the liquid end and burning out the seal.
Q: How many hours per day should my pump operate?
A: That all depends on factors such as the size of your pool, swimmer load, efficiency of your pump, the filter flow rate, etc. As a rule of thumb, however, a properly sized pool pump should probably run 8 to 10 hours a day in the summer, and 4 to 6 hours a day in the winter to provide adequate turnover.
Q: Is there any need to protect my pump from rain and snow?
A: If you experience a lot of heavy rain where you live, you may want to consider a motor cover. If you use a cover, make sure there is plenty of ventilation around the motor to prevent overheating. In the winter we suggest that you bring the pump inside or cover it to prevent snow or ice from getting on the motor windings.
Q: Why has my electrical bill increased significantly since my swimming pool was built?
Swimming pool pumps do require energy, the bigger the pump the more energy consumed. Also, some filtration systems may require up to 24-hours to clean your swimming pool. Most swimming pools should stay clean with 8 - 12 hours of filtering. An upgrade to an energy efficient pump and improved filtration can cut energy consumption 15 percent or more.
Q: We are about 60 feet above sea level. Which pool pump would you recommend for a waterfall application with a 7-foot vertical suction lift?
A: The best pump for this application would be the Pentair Whisperflo model. It is a high head, high flow pump with excellent suction lift capabilities. We recommend that you install a check valve on the vertical suction line so the pump can maintain a volume of water in its reservoir and allow for easier priming and water movement.
Trouble Shooting your Swimming Pool Pump
Q: My pump motor hums but will not start.
A: Turn off the power and check to see if the impeller is clogged with debris.
Q: My pump doesn’t run.
A: Check the power, breakers, switches, etc. If you have a timer on the system, make sure it is working properly.
Q: Why does my pump cut off every 5-10 seconds.
A: Your motor is wired to the wrong voltage. Most inground pumps can be connected to either 115 or 230v. Shut off the pump at once and have your electrician check the problem and correct.
Q: My pool pump is running too hot and cutting off?
A: This may be caused by insufficient power due to an undersized or long power wires. All wires should be according to code requirements and the motor manufacturer's recommendations.
Your local power supply may be suffering a power drop. For example: during a heat wave when every possible cooling appliance has been turned on in your area, your pool pump may be starved of the power it requires to run cool. Restart your pool pump when the weather cools to confirm that the problem is in the motor.
Your swimming pool pump has a thermal overload, which will shut the motor off when it gets too hot, and it will restart itself once it has cooled down.
Q: My swimming pool pump is running noisy
A: This may be normal since they produce water flow. The motor has a cooling fan internally which can be heard to a certain degree. It is advisable not to locate any pool pump under someone's bedroom window. The pool pump's sounds can be caused by vibrations between the pump base and the base or concrete pad it is sitting on. A piece of old carpet or rubber between the pool pump and base may quiet the sound.
The bearings may be noisy due to normal wear. Feeding high concentrations of chemical tablets in the skimmer will cause corrosive damage to the pool pump seal, which can leak and damage the motor bearings. It is recommended to get the bearings replaced by a qualified motor repair shop. Also, cavitation due to improper suction line sizing, leaks in the piping, a blockage in the suction line, or a low level of pool water will cause higher than normal sound.
Q: Why are bubbles coming into the swimming pool?
A: The strainer cover is loose or the gasket is damaged; check and replace the cover or gasket if necessary.
- The swimming pool water level may be too low allowing air to mix with water through the skimmer, you will need to raise the water level.
- The skimmer weir, sometimes called the flapper, may be stuck in the up position, allowing air to mix with water in the suction line.
- There can be a leak at any connection in the suction piping or a leak inside any suction side valve at the stem o-ring.
- Also, there may be a leak in the underground piping, caused by a loose joint, or termites/ants that will chew into some flexible piping.
Q: My swimming pool pump is running, but there is no pressure. Why?
many swimming pool owners use this term when in fact they really mean they have lots of pressure but their flow is very low. This is caused by a dirty or clogged filter, a blocked return line, or a valve that is shut off or partially shut on the return piping.
The pool pump's impeller may be clogged with debris. Check by first shutting off the pool pump. Remove the basket and check the impeller by putting your finger into the suction hole found in the pump strainer housing. If the seal is broken, replace it. For seal change instructions on Hayward pool pumps, refer to your Owner's Manual that is supplied with your pool pump (also available online under the product page for your pump), or contact your local pool dealer.
Q: My pump will not prime. Why?
Check for each of the folowing:
- You may have a suction leak if there is not enough water in the strainer housing.
- You can have a leak at any joint especially at the first fitting that is screwed into the strainer housing.
- The strainer cover may be loose or an o-ring under the strainer housing cover may be worn.
- You may have clogged suction piping, which is caused by items that get sucked through the skimmer into the piping, usually lodging at any turn in the piping.
- Sometimes when the pump starts, a small stone or debris by-passes the pump basket it will break the impeller.
- The pump may be located above the pool water level or may be too far from the pool, requiring longer periods to prime. The ideal situation is to locate the pump at or just slightly above water level, 8 feet maximum, and as close to the pool as possible, approximately 10 - 20 feet maximum.
Q: The lid on my swimming pool pump broke. How do I purchase a new one?
A: The best way to purchase any broken part for your swimming pool pump is to look up your part in your owner's manual and purchasing direct from our Pool Parts . If you do not have your owners manual you can look it up using the Find a Part software.
Q: Are there any parts on the pump motor which require lubrication?
A: There is no lubrication on the pool pump motor anywhere, but if you are concerned about a possible grinding or whining noise coming from the motor, this is usually due to the bearing or the winding in the motor. If this is the problem, the motor can be rebuilt.
To Purchase a Pump Choose from the following pool pump manufacturers
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