Signs Your Pool Pump Is on the Fritz

Signs Your Pool Pump Is on the Fritz

4th Jan 2021

You might think of your pool pump as the “heart” of your swimming pool — it pulls water away from your pool and pushes it through the filtration system, keeping your water clean and circulating. As one of the most important parts of your pool, it’s essential to know when your pool pump is in need of repair or replacement. Otherwise, your watery oasis will soon turn into a swamp.

In this blog post, we share four telltale signs that it’s time for a pool pump repair or replacement. At Pool Parts Unlimited, we offer a wide variety of pool pump parts from some of the biggest names in the pool and spa industry, including Hayward, Aladdin, Jandy, Zodiac, Pentair, and more. From motors, to white goods, and everything in-between Pool Parts Unlimited is your source for brand-name pool pump replacement parts, accessories, equipment, and supplies, at prices that you won’t find anywhere else. Read on to discover whether it’s time to repair or replace your swimming pool pump, then browse our pool and spa products today!

It’s Old

Swimming pool pumps last an average of eight to 12 years. Over time, it’s normal for all pool parts to start to wear down. On top of this, swimming pool technology has advanced by leaps and bounds in the last decade alone; modern pool pumps use much less energy than their predecessors, thanks to innovations such as variable speeds that can be turned up or down. If you have an older pool pump and the fiberglass is starting to deteriorate, you’ll want to replace it with a variable-speed pump. This may seem costly, but it will pay for itself in the long run.

It’s Noisy

Your swimming pool is meant to be an oasis — a sanctuary where you can sit, back, relax, and take a dip in clean, clear water, all in the comfort of your own backyard. It’s impossible to relax (not to mention not disturb your neighbors) if your pool pump is making unpleasant grinding or screeching sounds. These signs usually indicate that your pool pump motor is starting to fail. Often, this is due to rust from water getting in from a leaky shaft seal. The best way to fix this problem is either to replace your motor or get a new pool pump altogether.

It Keeps Shutting Off

Does your pool pump seem to have a mind of its own, shutting off and on seemingly at random? This is a solid indication that your motor is getting too hot. Once your pump motor reaches a certain temperature, it automatically shuts off in order to cool down, then restarts once it’s cool enough. In order to avoid your pump breaking down entirely, it’s essential to contact a certified swimming pool service technician as soon as you notice this problem. A proper diagnosis requires inspection, and a failing pump component will only grow worse over time, so delayed repairs almost always result in the need for a replacement.

It’s Losing Suction

Pool pumps require adequate suction in order to draw in and filter your swimming pool water before pumping it back into your pool. If you suspect that your pool pump is losing suction, check the pressure gauge on your filter. A reading of 10 PSI (pounds of pressure per square inch) or more above its normal pressure indicates that it’s probably time to clean your filter or replace your filter cartridge. If the pressure is lower than usual, however, you may have a clogged or improperly primed pool pump on your hands, which can cause leaking air. Over time, this will inevitably wear out your motor, and you will need to replace your pump.

Get the Swimming Pool Pump Parts You Need at Pool Parts Unlimited

If you’re a pool owner or a pool maintenance company looking to find replacement pump parts for a pool pump that’s on the fritz, turn to Pool Parts Unlimited. We carry thousands of brand-name pool and spa parts, supplies, equipment, and accessories at unbeatable prices. Check back on this blog for even more swimming pool and spa maintenance tips, and browse our selection of products today!