If you clean the filter and pump basket out and still have a problem, you need to start looking for the leak. Jammed valves, gates, and unions can slow the water flowing through the pump. Heres Why (+ How To Fix), Pool Pump Keeps Tripping Breaker? Remove the impeller with a Phillips screwdriver and a strap wrench (if necessary). Make sure the valve is pointed toward the inlet pipe coming from the pool. Debris clogging a swimming pool skimmer is a common cause of pool pump blockage. In this situation, something has interrupted the suction or the water flow that causes the system to work properly. The SWG seems to be maintaining enough free chlorine. Place the cartridges into the filter, then replace any of them if they have torn pleats or bands. Fixing this type of leak will require the help of a professional. In these circumstances, there are several things you can do to troubleshoot this problem. If your pump is constantly losing suction even after you have troubleshot all the possible issues, it has probably reached the end of its useful life. Is it the time of day? It ensures that your water is filtered, chlorinated, and heated. When I fished the Polaris out of the water, the booster was not pumping. Three Reasons Why Your Pool is not Circulating. Your pool pump isnt pulling water for at least one of these reasons: In this article, Ill explain every possible reason your pump wont pull water. CLOGGED IMPELLER - Fine debris can bypass the baskets and clog the impeller. Here are 6 common pool pump problems and how to fix them yourself for your inground or above ground pool pump. Get 10% off our pool maintenance video course by using the promo code VIDEO: https://www.swimuniversity.com/pool-care-handbook/?utm_source=youtube\u0026utm_medium=video\u0026utm_campaign=youtube_description Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction to Common Pool Pump Problems00:14 - Problem #1: Pool Pump Doesn't Turn On Or Turns Off While Running01:04 - Problem #2: Pool Pump Isn't Pumping Or Flow Rate Is Low01:54 - Problem #3: Pool Pump Is Leaking02:06 - Pool Care Video Course02:52 - Problem #4: Pool Pump Is Sucking Air03:30 - Problem #5: Pool Pump Is Making A Lot Of Noise03:52 - Problem #6: Pool Pump Basket Isn't Filling With Water Our Favorite Pool Maintenance Gear: https://www.swimuniversity.com/pool-maintenance/ Subscribe to our channel if you want more information on swimming pool and hot tub maintenance: https://www.youtube.com/swimuniversitySwim University has made swimming pool and hot tub care easy for more than 10 million homeowners. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. This is easily fixed by some creative plumbing works. Ill also provide solutions to each of these issues, helping you get your pool back to normal. Be careful when checking because it might be super hot. Quite simply, your pool pump isnt actually turning on. Grinding noises indicate worn or rusted bearings, which could mean the impeller is leaking and letting water touch the motor. A lot of times, it takes a few repairs that just arent working to figure out that theres no hope for it, but if you're looking for some signs, here are a few: If your gauge is reading low, it could be due to a clogged skimmer basket or pump strainer. Since opening the pool last week. Pumps typically make such noises when they are starved for water. If the motor is overheating and shutting down after its started, it could be an overloaded circuit. Heres what causes an airlock in a swimming pool pump: If your Intex pool pump is running dry, turn it off right away. This may happen because: As you can see, pool pumps are serious business, and there are countless things that can go wrongmany of which may not be obvious just from you taking a quick look on your own. But if those are clean and you're still getting consistently low readings, its possible that the impeller is wearing out. The impeller pulls the water into the pump, filter, heater, and other equipment. This same principle applies to all thee filter types: sand, diatomaceous earth and cartridge filters. When I went to the booster pump it sounded a little different but it appeared to be running. You can replace your pumps broken impeller with these steps: Too much debris in the pools baskets will slow or prevent the water from flowing. Water, wind, and the vibrations coming from the pump itself may cause the base of the pump to shift slightly. If your pool pump humming not pumping, it may be due to a bad capacitor. Pool Pump Not Working Properly 3. Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on: Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. At this point you can either replace the defective part or call a professional. An air leak will cause the pump not to fully prime. Your pool pump motor actively generates heat so it follows that it needs airflow to effectively cool it off. Weve already covered suction-side problems in the previous section so you can check those. Tighten the impeller on the motor with a screwdriver, then secure the motor to the pumps housing assembly. The current being supplied to the pump may be insufficient. I tried running the SWG in 'boost' mode overnight - but it shut off sometime during the night due to low pump flow. Heres Why (+ How To Fix), Pool Pump Timer Not Working? If you notice that the pumps position has shifted then its a pretty easy fix. If your pump is properly shaded and you have proper air circulation/ventilation around your pump and youve ruled out any blockage, then the final thing to check would be your pump bearings. CHECK VALVES - The first thing to check is the valves on the suction side of the pump. So once you reach that 10-year mark, I highly recommend replacing it with a new pool pump. Many of the problems you might run into with your pool pump can be easily fixed yourself if you know what to look for. Open the pumps lid, remove the basket, and dump everything out of it. I replaced the basket and o-ring but the pump will not allow water to go in when refilling pool. The skimmer basket holds large debris, such as leaves, sticks, and anything else that cant get through the small, porous surface. 128K views 8 years ago If your pump is losing suction, watch this video to learn how to detect and fix some possible air leaks within the pumping system of your pool. Pool Pump Leaking Water Into The Pool 4. Corrosion of internals - If theres something that represents a well oiled machine its your pool pump internals. Bad bearings are also a sign of a leaky shaft seal. Heres Why (+ How to Fix). The fix is actually quite easy, all you need to do is to. When a submersible pump is immersed, water runs into its pump body, which is fitted with an impeller. Cavitation happens when your pool pump is starving for water. My guess is, though, if youre reading this article, youre probably not . If you are familiar with the device, you can troubleshoot an overheating pump yourself. If that happens, youll have to buy a new pump, which is much more expensive than the simple, straightforward fixes below. Make sure to backwash your sand filters or clean out your filter cartridges regularly to prevent the pressure from building up and causing your pump to exert more effort. It is also possible that this is a one time thing, but that seems less likely. If that's not the issue, check your connections to make sure nothing is loose. So check the basket and clean it out. How hot is too hot? Make the most of your backyard oasis by contacting ABC today! The best thing to do if your pump basket is not filling with water is to simply prime the pump by blowing out the lines with water to get rid of any air inside. Check the breakers - They might have tripped during the night or during your previous cleaning schedule. Check your skimmer and pump baskets - Full skimmer and pump baskets can impede the flow of water and cause your pool pump to suck in air instead of water! Posted: 8/23/2022, Shelley Good thing the fix is quite simple, simply backwash your sand filter or hose out your filter cartridge then you should be good to go. Open the unions on each piece of equipment and remove the clumps of debris. How long do you let the hose run for? Check if the water is above the pools skimmer basket, then make sure the gate opens to let the water flow into the inlet. Secure the lid onto the valve with the previously removed screws. Vibration in your pool pump is normal to a certain extent because of all the moving parts but only to a certain extent. Water will fail to circulate when the filter system has become dirty and clogged. Copyright 2023 ABC Home & Commercial Services All Rights Reserved. Check whether water flow is restored to the strainer box at the top of the pump. Also, check the basket lid o-ring to make sure it's getting a good seal. See the previous section on how to replace worn bearings. Union o-ring failure or suction side leaks - Just like your pump lid o-ring, your unions have o-rings and they can also fail (although not as frequently). This could be due to several reasons, including a buildup of debris or something electrical like a bad capacitor. The fix is quite simple as well, simply check your pump lid o-ring for any debris and clean it out. Small cracks in the plumbing will also limit the water pressure. You may also need to fill your strainer basket with water and reseal it if theres air in the system. First, make sure that the unit is plugged in properly to your power source. Dirty filters can ruin a pool pump in no time. If these things dont seem to fix the problem, check the o-rings in the pump housing. Use a plumbing snake to flush out excess debris in the pipes. All comments are moderated before being published, Get $10 off your first order over $99! Could this be a clog in the line? Journeyman Service Techni. Final Words When the pool pump hums but not working, it may be due to a blockage, an electrical or mechanical fault, or just because the motor makes noise. Also, there is no pressure. Remove the pump seal on the back of the impeller without touching the white portion (its useless if your hands oils get on it). The reason is simple: TFPC (Trouble Free Pool Care) is a methodology, not a product that you must purchase. Also look for frayed or broken power cords. If your pool pump is not pumping water, check that all suction and return valves are open, . Turn the diverter valve to open the main drain. Connect the pumps housing to the motor, then prime your pump with the process mentioned above. Replace the valve guts with a like-for-like part from the same manufacturer. Look for blown fuses or tripped breakers on your homes electrical service panel. I tried closing valves to from the different locations to fill up one line at a time, but could never get the lines or the pump to fill up. Its best to clean your pool baskets several times per week. Heres Why (+ How To Fix), Pool Pump Making Loud Noise? If your pump has been there for quite some time then it can either be just a loose connection or a failing capacitor inside of your pumps motor. Please check your entries and try again. Two days ago I shut the motor off and switch it to the automatic setting. Unfortunately, several things could be the culprit. Check to see if something is inhibiting the fan in the bottom vents, like leaves or mulch. Worn bearings in the motor shaft can also cause screeching noises when the pump is running. Pool pumps are supposed to be completely airtight: this is what keeps them primed and sucking water properly. Make sure the capacitors are not bad and that the governor is closed. However, most motors automatically shut down if they get too hot. This could mean an obstruction, dirty pool filter or too much air getting into the plumbing system. While we suggest that you try and fix minor pool pump problems, anything major like a mechanical seal failure or a motor burnout, you should also take into consideration your pumps age. A bad capacitor may lead to the motor running at a higher amperage than it should. Ill also provide helpful suggestions to fix these problems and what you can do to prevent them from coming back. We may also earn commissions if you purchase products from other retailers after clicking on a link from our site. Heres Why (+ How To Fix), Pool Pump Keeps Tripping Breaker? Heres How To Fix It (Complete Guide), Pool Pump Wont Turn Off? Turn off the pump then turn the air-pressure release valve counterclockwise to release the pressure. Bottom vents, like leaves or mulch be insufficient ( + How to fix,! Indicate worn or rusted bearings, which is much more expensive than the simple straightforward! That happens, youll have to buy a new pump, which could mean the impeller the... 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