What Are Some Common Problems People Encounter With Pumps?

Problem #1: Pump Is Hard to Prime or Loses Prime

• There is no water in the pump. Fill and reprime.
• The pool water level is low. Raise water level to half way on the skimmer opening.
• A valve is closed. Open all valves in the circulation system.
• A line is plugged. Check the strainer basket, skimmer basket and pump. Clean if needed.
• The strainer pot cover is not sealed. Examine the pot lid and “O” ring or gasket. Repair if needed.
• There is an air leak in the influent line. Tighten all pipes and fittings on the line. Do a pressure check to locate the leak and repair as necessary.
• There is a vertical suction lift of more than 25 feet from the return inlet in the pool up to the pump. The pump will have to be moved.
• The seal flange is positioned incorrectly. Correct the alignment.
• The pump seal is worn. Check the seal and replace if necessary.
• The impeller is out of alignment. Align the impeller using an impeller gauge.
• The impeller is plugged or jammed. Examine the impeller and remove any obstruction.

Problem #2: Leaking Pump

• Defective seal, seal heat sink or seal plate. Replace appropriate part.
• Defective o-ring. Replace.
• Defective strainer lid, lid o-ring or gasket. Replace as needed.

Problem #3: Low Water Flow

• Refuse caught in strainer basket or skimmer basket. Empty and clean baskets.
• Dirty pool filter. Check filter pressure gauge and backwash or clean if indicated.
• Reverse rotation of impeller. Check rotation direction.
• Impeller or diffuser is worn. Replace.
• Pump output is weak. Open-face impeller needs adjustment either by shim or shaft adjustment. Adjust to a few thousandths of an inch away from volute surface.
• Pump is too small. Consult a sizing chart and replace as indicated.
• Vertical suction lift is more than 15 feet from the suction fitting in the pool to the pump. Move pump vertically closer to the water source.

Problem #4: Noisy Pump/Cavitation

• Influent piping is undersized. Compare the pump size to the pipe size on the manufacturer’s chart. Replace with correct size pipe.
• Obstruction in influent lines or pump strainer basket is full. Check lines and basket removing the obstruction

Problem #5: Noisy Pump and Air Bubbles In Return Inlets

• Air leak in influent line. Find and repair leak.
• Review items in Problem #1
• Review items in Problem #4