Imagine a perfect summer’s day, lounging in the pool. The cool, crystal clear water laps against your skin. Family and friends gather around, laughing and swimming.
If your pool pump packs up, it’s hasta la vista, baby, to your idyllic summer plans.
Image by southbay poolservices
So, how do you stop your pool pump from ruining your fun? Luckily, if you’re observant, you can spot the warning signs that your pool pump is crying out for help.
We’ve put together a list of the 5 most common red flags indicating that it’s time for a pool pump repair.
- Sluggish Suction
Your pool pump’s job is to circulate water within your swimming pool. It evenly distributes chemicals by sucking in water, filtering and chlorinating it, then pumping it back out.
The most common warning sign of a failing pool pump is reduced suction. If water isn’t circulating as fast as it should be, a clogged filter or failing suction motor might be at fault.
Remove your filter and pump basket, and give them a good clean. Ideally, you should clean your pump basket should every two weeks.
If your filter and basket are clean, but your water still isn’t circulating effectively, your suction motor is likely to blame.
- Overheating
When your pool pump impeller becomes clogged with debris, your pump has to work twice as hard to circulate water. This can lead to your pump overheating or burning out. An overheating pool pump can even catch fire if it gets too hot!
There are various reasons why a pool pump might overheat. If the impeller is hindered by pet hair or algae, it may not be able to spin properly.
Sometimes, when your pool pump is clogged, it starts to suck in air instead of water. This makes the impeller spin rapidly, causing the motor to burn out.
Another reason your pool pump may be overheating is worn bearings inside the motor. Worn bearings cause excessive friction, resulting in overheating or leaking parts. Make sure to service your pool pump regularly to avoid a costly pool pump motor repair.
- Strange Noises
A good pool pump is silent and efficient. If your pump is making unusual noises, it’s a red flag that something is wrong.
A rattling noise usually indicates that debris has bypassed the filters and is now ricocheting around the pump. A rumbling sound is often caused by excessive vibrations as a result of your pump becoming loose. Worn or lost ball bearings result in a screeching or grinding sound.
A professional swimming pool pump repair technician, like those at Ever-Care Pool and Spa, will fix these problems before they escalate.
- Leaks
There are two types of leaks you need to watch out for, water leaks and air leaks.
If you’ve noticed the appearance of bubbles in your pool water, you probably have an air leak. Disconnected pipes and valves or loose-fitting parts, are usually to blame. Air leaks hinder your pool pump’s performance and will result in cloudy pool water.
Water leaks are a more serious problem. Often caused by worn or faulty seals, water leaks not only make your pool water cloudy but can also cause costly water damage to the pump itself.
- Old Age
The average lifespan of a pool pump is about 11 to 12 years. If you don’t maintain your pump, you can expect it to fail a lot sooner. Regular pool pump repair services play an important role in the efficiency and effectiveness of your pool pump.
If your pump is almost a decade old and is starting to give trouble, it’s best to replace the whole pool pump. Modern pool pumps are quieter, stronger, and more energy-efficient.
Prevent Disaster by Scheduling Your Pool Pump Repair Today
Your pool should be a place where you go to relax. It should not be a murky eye-sore that causes you to stress and worry.
A regular pool pump repair will prevent costly breakages, and keep your pump running smoothly for years to come. The only thing you’ll have to worry about is finding an excuse to soak in the pool all day!
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