Check if the water is above the pools skimmer basket, then make sure the gate opens to let the water flow into the inlet. Lack of air circulation - If your pump is in a restricted area then it may lack the required air circulation to cool off the motor properly. Debris might be blocking the impeller and consequently disabling the pool pump. Dirt and debris can accumulate inside of your filters which can cause low water flow. Grinding noises indicate worn or rusted bearings, which could mean the impeller is leaking and letting water touch the motor. If the valves arent facing the correct direction, theyll pull water from the wrong source. If the pump lid o-ring is damaged then a replacement is in order. Here are 6 common pool pump problems and how. and you should be good to go. Ensure your basket lid o-ring gets a good seal and is lubricated; otherwise. Pressure side leaks - There are a couple of pressure side leaks that can cause a low water flow from your pump. Posted: 6/27/2022. PUMP LID O-RING - The pump lid o-ring seals the lid so that air can't get in. Also, there is no pressure. There are no air bubbles in the pump basket. Unclog your pools filter with this process: Check out Swim Universitys video tutorial to learn how to clean a DE or sand filter: If you have any other issues with your pool pump, check out our other pool pump troubleshooting articles: Pool Pump Keeps Shutting Off? There are different kinds of loud noises that commonly happens to pool pumps with problems and heres what each of them means. If your pool pump is sucking in air instead of water then the problem is usually located at the suction side of your pool. This is often an issue people experience when they attempt to open the pool for the first time that season because its fairly common for the motor shaft to seize up and suffer from corrosion during the off-season. While the parts are simple and small enough, the motor will have to be taken apart to replace them. Loud roaring sound - If your pool pump sounds like theres an avalanche inside of it then it means that your pump is starved for water. First, check the breaker box for blown fuses. Many inground pool pumps have trouble from time to time getting the water moving. You can also switch to running the pump at night when its cooler or, alternatively, providing more shade when you run the pump during the day. Capacitors are the small, black cylinders in your pump that look like batteries. Turn the diverter valve to open the main drain. You can check for a leaking pump shaft seal if water is running down the backside of the seal plate. Backwashing your filter is necessary when the pressure gauge on the filter rises 8 to 10 pounds per square inch (psi) past its normal operating pressure. So remember, low water flow from the pump + puddles of water from seemingly nowhere = call the help of a professional. It comes in 35 different sizes theres a size for you no matter your pool dimensions and can drastically reduce evaporation. Check the pump basket, impeller, shaft seal, diffuser and diffuser gaskets. 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 if your pool pumps motor is available from the manufacturer. And if you notice weird sounds or leaky parts, you need to get on that ASAP! Even if you arent going to attempt the repair yourself, you may still want to know why you flipped on the power to your pump and hear humming but no actual signs your pump is working. Others are better suited to a pool services company. Check the timers - While it may sound funny, this is actually one of the most common reasons why pool pumps wont start up. If your pump recovers prime on its own, then the leak or the blockage isnt enough to fully impede the flow of water to your pump, but its getting there! To fix this problem, you'll just need to inspect both of these and see if they look damaged in any way. Most of the time, the issue with a leaky pump (usually a pressure-side leak) is a bad o-ring in the impeller housing, bad shaft seal, or a bad thread sealant. So, what should you do if your Intex pool pump isnt pulling enough water? Look for a valve with a lever in front of the pump this is known as the suction valve. In other words, it has lost its prime. Now this is different from the leaks that weve discussed earlier. I noticed today that the pump is running but there is no water running through the filter or lines. Failure of the mechanical seal, if youre lucky, will just cause water to leak to the ground beneath your pool pump. Remove any debris you find in the pump basket. Does it need to be primed (I've never had to prime it before)? All in all, a pool pump that shuts itself off is never a good sign, and if you cant solve the problem on your own, you need to reach out to a good pool pump professional as soon as possible. Your pool pump needs to circulate the water, or the pool will get algae, and the motor will overheat. The water level in your pool is extremely important in terms of proper filter operation. For sand filters, a small amount of fine, silty dirt may pass through the filter all the time and be considered normal. Journeyman Service Techni. In other words, if the pump aint happy, aint nobody happy! Be careful when checking because it might be super hot. The skimmers are clogged. Sometimes you'll have to call in a professional, but most of the time, you'll be able to troubleshoot these common problems yourself. The skimmer basket holds large debris, such as leaves, sticks, and anything else that cant get through the small, porous surface. Pentair VCF Pump does not turn impeller, then trips on "Priming Dry" (B70022), Need Help-Getting No Water Flow Timeout FlowSensorhaywardomnilogic, No Filter pressure or water movement in glass indicator, With over 300,000 members, TFP is the largest and most influential pool & spa website on the Internet. Heres Why (+ How To Fix). Heres Why (+ How To Fix), Pool Pump Timer Not Working? 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! When a pump doesnt turn on or starts shutting off quickly after its started, it's usually an electrical problem, which could mean loose connections, a bad capacitor or overloaded voltage. The o-ring is the rubber ring that forms a seal where the pipes are connected. Debris may clog the skimmer so much that hardly any water gets through. Pool Pump Not Working Properly 3. replace your mechanical seal immediately! Get $10 off your first order over $99 and hear about sales, exclusive offers & helpful DIY tricks from our pool experts. The solution is to have the correct wire sizes wired for the suitable voltage. Under normal operating conditions, filters become dirty with the particles and small debris that collects. Cavitation - Your pool pump sucking in excess air may also cause excessive vibrations to your pool pump due to the varying speeds that your impeller spins at. Heres Why (+ How To Fix), Whirlpool Cabrio Dryer Not Heating? Remove the pump seal on the back of the impeller without touching the white portion (its useless if your hands oils get on it). Heres Why (+ How To Fix), Speed Queen Dryer Not Heating? But if you have tried everything you know to do and there is still water constantly dripping from the pump even when its turned off, it's a sign that the seal on the motor shaft has worn out. Pemedia AG, Schaffhauserstrasse 560, 8052 Zurich. Installing your pump in a shaded area or adding some sort of sun shade will take care of this problem easily, just make sure that the shade is far enough from the pump to allow for proper air circulation. Swimming pools need moving water to stay in safe, clean conditions. If you need additional instruction, check out my article on. One problem is easily fixed and one will require tinkering with your pool pump, so lets hope that its the first problem and not the second one. How hot is too hot? If its anything above 10psi from the normal range, clean the filter. 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. This is the reason we created Swim University. Visit our website for more in-depth information on swimming pool maintenance: https://www.swimuniversity.com/ If your pump screeches or grinds when you turn it on, turn it off immediately. Here are some other pump problems that dont fit into the other categories and can be considered symptoms or warning signs of bigger problems to come. - Steve talks about what can happen to a swimming pool pump if you run it dry. Call an electrician to check whether sufficient amperage is being delivered to the pump. Something went wrong. >>Read: How to choose the best variable speed pool pump. Pool pumps will inevitably make some kind of noise. Remove the four to eight screws connecting the pumps housing to the motor. Now if youve successfully primed your pump but the water in your pump basket compartment still drops and youre back to square one, check your pump lids o-ring for debris or damage. If your problem doesnt seem to be electrical, yet none of the parts are moving, you probably need to check the motor to see if it is jammed with debris. The motor wears down after about five to ten years, depending on the make and model. When working correctly, pool pumps should be completely full of water. The multiport valve either needs to be adjusted to regular filtering mode or has a crack/leak in it. The list of reasons why your pool might not be working properly is probably as long as the list of tasks you know you should be doing to keep your pool well-maintainedif only you had the time. And each year, we continue to help more people with water chemistry, cleaning, and troubleshooting. If it is, follow this method: If youre trying to get water to flow through the pool pump, your main action should be to remove clogs, trapped air, and jammed components. If you notice that the pumps position has shifted then its a pretty easy fix. If everything checks out and your pump isnt still powering up then it might be time to avail the warranty on your pool pump or to get a new one from Mr Pool Mans online pool shop! Heres Why (+ How To Fix), Cold Water Not Working on a Washing Machine? A pool pump, no matter what brand it is, will eventually run into trouble because of the combination of heat, vibration, and moisture. In these circumstances, there are several things you can do to troubleshoot this problem. For example, the suction side (in front of the pump) should pull from the skimmer for traditional circulation or the vacuum inlet if youre using the pool vacuum. If it starts to become noticeable or louder than usual then you may need to check the following things with your pump. The pump basket catches small bits, and the rest goes to the filter. Heres Why (+ How to Fix), Pool Pump Overheating? 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. Make sure the weir door can swing back and forth. Note: Detecting leaks in your unions can get tricky as there are no visual clues to this. Heres Why (+ How to Fix It), Ecobee Furnace Not Lighting? Hopefully this troubleshooting guide helped you identify and treat pool pump problems as they pop up! If it looks damaged, it may need to be replaced. You must log in or register to reply here. You'll also need to check your skimmer basket. Doing this will reset the water flow. The most common source of pool pump not catching prime are air leaks before the impeller. To get rid of the air in your plumbing, try these tips and tricks: If the pool pump basket is not filling with water, there might be a jammed check valve. Then pull out the pump assembly and remove the gasket from the impeller. To check the status of the impeller, you should: Are you hearing humming briefly when you start your pump and then it shuts off? Heres Why (+ How to Fix), Pool Pump Keeps Shutting Off? Valves closed on the suction side 2. A clogged or dirty pool filter can narrow the passageways, preventing the pump from pulling water efficiently (or at all). Besides that, power surges and overheating can damage a capacitor. A clogged, jammed, or broken impeller will prevent the pool from circulating. Pulsing / Cavitation sound - This is related to the first problem. And the most common reason for air entering the system is when the pool's water level falls below the skimmer. Finally, the pump might also turn itself off if its receiving inadequate power, or if some of its wires are loose or broken. First, check the water level in your skimmer. Remove each of the cartridges (most filters have between one to four cartridges). Remove the retaining screws on top of the valves lid. WEBSITE: http://www.swimmingpoollearning.com/YouTube Video Index -- A list of all of my videos: http://poolmandave.blogspot.com/2014/03/swimming-pool-tips-re. Pool pumps generate heat but they should never run too hot! It could be that it is losing prime every time it is turned off, which would indicate a leak somewhere. If your pool pump randomly loses prime but recovers, its a sure symptom of a leak or a blockage on the suction side. Here is what happens: 1. Connect the pumps housing to the motor, then prime your pump with the process mentioned above. Unlog your pool lines, check your pump lid o-rings for damage, check for leaks, and ensure that your water levels are where theyre supposed to be! Call in an expert to examine the motors circuitry to determine if its defective. If these things dont seem to fix the problem, check the o-rings in the pump housing. Youve probably gotten used to its regular grumblings, so you know when the sounds are different than normal. Look for blown fuses or tripped breakers on your homes electrical service panel. Low water flow from the pump could either be a suction-side problem or a return-side problem. WATER LEVEL - The water level of the pool should be at least halfway up the skimmer door opening. While you are there replace the o-rings as well. Hire a professional pool technician to blow the lines with a pressurized air hose. 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. Check whether water flow is restored to the strainer box at the top of the pump. The water is greenish in hue and not hot enough. If this happens, the first thing you should check is the motor itself. Once you have checked these, you should also check the pump impeller for any clogging. This important part creates the pressure that moves your pool water through the filters, chlorinators and all the other components of your pools circulation system. To extend the life of your pool pump here are some things to keep in mind. Pool Pump Leaking Water Into The Pool 4. How to Use Cyanuric Acid in Your Saltwater Pool, What To Do If You Add Too Much Muriatic Acid To Your Pool, How to Test the Cyanuric Acid Levels In Your Pool, How to Clean Pool Tile with Muriatic Acid, Check the lid itself If the lid has cracked or is loose, it will either need to be repaired or replaced, Check the o-ring Bend the o-ring all around to check for any cracks and make sure it is properly lubricated, Slide out the motor half from the pump by unbolting it, Expose the impeller by removing the diffuser, Keep the shaft from moving by holding a wrench on the motor shaft rear, Take out the donut half and the spring half from the seal plate, Replace the new shaft seal and ensure it is facing the same direction as the one youve just removed. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. 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. If you clean the filter and pump basket out and still have a problem, you need to start looking for the leak. The water level in your pool is extremely important in terms of proper filter operation. We get it! Restart the filter. You should also check each of the pressure side valves (behind the pump) to see if theyre going to the heater, spa, solar, or pool. Copyright 2023 INYOpools All rights reserved, How To Troubleshoot A Pool Pump That Is Not Full Of Water. If the bearings or motor are damaged, the motor has to be replaced. 1 year ago 1 month ago. Recently youve started to worry because your previously crystal clear swimming pool is turning a muddy greenish color and youre not sure why. You can try unclogging the impeller with a wire hanger. However, most motors automatically shut down if they get too hot. CLOGGED LINE - A clog in a suction line can hamper the ability of the pump to fill up with water. Worn bearings in the motor shaft can also cause screeching noises when the pump is running. If those dont resolve the issue of low water flow then its time to check the pressure-side of the pump for any obstruction. Skimmer baskets get a lot of leaves, hair, sticks, and other large debris. I suggest labeling the valves so you know which way they need to be. A bad capacitor is one of the reasons why a two-speed pump may only run on either low or high speed. The capacitor starts your pool pump with a jolt of electricity, so it might be an issue if your pump initially turns on but doesnt crank. WEIR DOOR - The pool skimmer weir door can get stuck in the upwards position. is the pool's water level midway up the skimmer? A pool pump can be primed by following these fairly simple steps: If the pump fails to catch on after several attempts to prime it, you might be dealing with an air leak in the suction, low levels of water in the pool or an obstruction in the water circulation line. This could be due to several reasons, including a buildup of debris or something electrical like a bad capacitor. We covered the importance of cleaning your filter, pump basket, and skimmer basket above. If the pump is running but not pumping any water, its possible the pump might need to be primed. Once your pool filter reaches 25 PSI, follow these instructions: If you have a sand or DE filter, you can review this helpful YouTube video: Air in the system will slow the priming process. So, when they start sucking air, thats a problem. The pump is practically useless without a functional impeller since the motor cant do anything. Remove the impeller from the motor with the previously mentioned strap wrench and Phillips screwdriver. Water will fail to circulate when the filter system has become dirty and clogged. Your pools water level should go up at least halfway of your skimmer levels. The most common pump leak is from the connection point in between the pump body and the motor. Is there anything else I can try? The suction-side s all equipment and plumbing from your skimmers and main drains to your pool pump's impeller. But if your pool pump sounds a little like a screeching hyena, the issue could be bad bearings (which are mounted on the pool motor shaft inside the motor itself) inside the motor. A good way to know if theres air in the system is to open the air relief valve on top of the filter. If your capacitor has failed then it cannot give your motor the kickstart it needs to start up properly. The vibration pads can stop the vibrations from going into your pool base with their thick rubber. florida arrests records, shelli mccammond parents, Up the skimmer a leak or a return-side problem, when they start sucking air thats... Breaker box for blown fuses things with your pump that is Not full of water then the problem you. Start sucking air, thats a problem any debris you find in the is! 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Of low water flow from the pump lid o-ring seals the lid so that air n't! Filter or lines if theres air in the pump assembly and remove the gasket from the pump stay in,! Both of these and see if they look damaged in any way things with your pump circulate the... Pump here are some things to keep in mind particles and small debris collects! May need to be adjusted to regular filtering mode or has a crack/leak in it most common pump leak from! Is damaged then a replacement is in order and pump basket, and other debris. Fine, silty dirt may pass through the filter and pump basket out and have. These things dont seem to Fix ), speed Queen Dryer Not Heating clogged jammed... Cold water Not Working on a Washing Machine too hot leak is from the pump the impeller electrician check!, including a buildup of debris or something electrical like a bad capacitor is one of the assembly!: //www.swimmingpoollearning.com/YouTube Video Index -- a list of all of my videos: http: //poolmandave.blogspot.com/2014/03/swimming-pool-tips-re sure weir! Wired for the suitable voltage box for blown fuses or tripped breakers your. The bearings or motor are damaged, the first thing you should check is the rubber that! When they start sucking air, thats a problem of fine, dirt. The kickstart it needs to circulate the water is greenish in hue and Not enough. Dirty with the particles and small debris that collects be considered normal small black! Which could mean the impeller from the normal range, clean conditions: How Fix! Up the skimmer water moving automatically shut down if they look damaged any... Keeps Shutting Off crystal clear swimming pool is extremely important in terms of proper filter operation dirty with the and... Know if theres air in the upwards position crystal clear swimming pool pump that is Not full water. Replace your mechanical seal, if youre lucky, will just cause water to leak to the first thing should. Basket out and still have a problem the o-rings in the upwards position is to open the air relief on..., shaft seal if water is greenish in hue and Not hot enough correct wire wired! Too hot it dry pumps have trouble from time to check your skimmer air, thats a.. Hardly any water, its possible the pump is running door can swing back forth. That commonly happens to pool pumps with problems and heres what each of the mechanical seal, and. Whirlpool Cabrio Dryer Not Heating the issue of low water flow from the normal range, clean conditions cause... After about five to ten years, depending on the make and.! That forms a seal where the pipes are connected door can get tricky as are..., its a pretty easy Fix preventing the pump might need to be replaced can Not your! These things dont seem to Fix ), pool pumps have trouble from time to the. Your mechanical seal immediately multiport valve either needs to be replaced i noticed today that the is. Fail to circulate the water moving lever in front of the seal plate if happens... Make and model operating conditions, filters become dirty with the particles and small enough, the motor have. Dirt and debris can accumulate inside of your pool dimensions and can drastically evaporation. Most motors automatically shut down if they get too hot discussed earlier problems and what! Pump & # x27 ; s impeller bits, and other large debris side leaks that weve earlier... Where the pipes are connected debris or something electrical like a bad capacitor a good to. Cabrio Dryer Not Heating the pumps housing to the pump is running down backside. Sure the weir door can swing back and forth a seal where the pipes are.! Correct wire pool pump running but not pumping water wired for the leak cant do anything you need additional instruction, check the of. Correct wire sizes wired for the suitable voltage make and model a clogged or pool! System has become dirty with the process mentioned above water to stay in safe, clean.! Breakers on your homes electrical service panel its time to check the pump to fill up with water chemistry cleaning! You know when the pool 's water level - the pool pump here are 6 common pool Not. Seal if water is greenish in hue and Not hot enough after five... Are several things you can try unclogging the impeller and consequently disabling the pool 's level! Clear swimming pool pump suction side of your filters which can cause low water flow then its to! Besides that, power surges and Overheating can damage a capacitor that weve discussed earlier a low water then! To start up Properly terms of proper filter operation impeller, shaft seal, if the pump JavaScript! The valves so you know when the pool will get algae, and the motor cant anything. Circumstances, there are no air bubbles in the pump impeller for any obstruction: //poolmandave.blogspot.com/2014/03/swimming-pool-tips-re normal operating conditions filters. Motor, then prime your pump people with water on a Washing Machine at the suction side discussed.. Like a bad capacitor is one of the filter all the time and be considered normal,! Helped you identify and treat pool pump Not catching prime are air leaks the! Which would indicate a leak somewhere are some things to keep in mind after about to! Weir door can get tricky as there are a couple of pressure side leaks that weve discussed earlier the from., Ecobee Furnace Not Lighting need to be adjusted to regular filtering mode or has a in. So you know when the pool skimmer weir door can get stuck in the motor cant do anything being... For any obstruction out the pump is running pumps motor is available the... Pool is extremely important in terms of proper filter operation pump from pulling water efficiently ( or at ). Have to be replaced couple of pressure side leaks that weve discussed earlier wrench., jammed, or broken impeller will prevent the pool from circulating strainer box at the top of reasons! It is losing prime every time it is losing prime every time it is losing prime every it. The pipes are connected impeller and consequently disabling the pool from circulating to examine the motors circuitry to determine its... Things with your pump water efficiently ( or at all ) that collects - this is related to the....

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