What To Do When Your Pool Pump Fails

The pump in your swimming pool is one of the most important tools you have for keeping the water clean and safe. By circulating the water, it helps filter out the dirt and debris that is always finding its way in, while it also helps to distribute the chemicals that are killing bacteria and other potentially harmful organisms evenly around the pool.

If it breaks down, you need to do something about it as soon as you can, because your pool water could quickly become unsafe for you to swim in. In this article, we’re going to explore some common reasons why pool pumps fail and what you should do if it happens to you.

Common reasons pool pumps fail

• The pump is leaking

Your pool pump can start leaking for a number of reasons, so you may have to spend a bit of time investigating before you can identify the actual cause. For instance, it may be down to the shaft seal, the pump housing, the pump lid, or even the suction or return line. In most cases, parts will need to be replaced – if you’re not confident you can do the necessary work yourself, our pool repairs service can help source and fix the necessary components to get your pump quickly back in full working order.

• The pump isn’t pulling water

If the motor seems to be working but no water is being pulled into the filter, then it may be that the system has become blocked somewhere. This is likely to be the result of a buildup of debris in the filter itself or perhaps in the skimmer, baskets, or even the impeller. Wherever the blockage is, just clear out everything you can and see what happens. If nothing has changed, then you might have a leak in the suction line or perhaps an air leak around the pump. The suction line can be hard to get to, so you’ll probably need the help of a professional there, but you might be able to sort an air leak at the pump by tightening or replacing the part in question. 

• The motor doesn’t start or cuts out

If the motor doesn’t start at all, check the basics first by making sure that power is actually getting to it. Has the circuit breaker been tripped or have the wires perhaps been chewed by a rodent of some kind? If the motor starts but cuts out, there could be an issue with the capacitor or there may be a discrepancy between the voltage of the motor and the pump. If it’s a new pump, it’s more likely to be a voltage issue, while if it’s a problem that seems to have come from nowhere, it’s more likely to be the capacitor. In either case, messing around with electricity isn’t a good idea unless you’re 110% sure you know what you’re doing, so call in a professional to check it out.

• The pump is sucking air

Probably the most common cause of this issue is that the level of the water in your pool has dropped too much, meaning that the pump can’t actually draw any water in – in which case, all you need to do is add water. However, if that’s clearly not the cause, then there are several other potential causes, including problems with the strainer basket, the O-ring on the pump lid or a stuck skimmer flap. If the cause isn’t evident, call in an expert from Pulliam Pools and we’ll identify and remedy it for you.

• The pump is noisy

If this has been an issue since day one, then that’s probably how your pump works (and perhaps you should have got a better one!). If it starts to happen over time, the pump might just have shifted as a result of it vibrating and may no longer be on as firm a base as it was – in which case, this is as easy a fix as it gets. On the other hand, you may have worn bearings – you can replace them if you have the right tools, but if you’re at all unsure, get in an expert. 

As you might have gathered from this relatively short list of potential problems, pool pumps aren’t just essential pieces of equipment – they’re also pretty complex. In most cases, you should get years of trouble-free service, and regular pool maintenance by professionals should ensure that any developing issues are identified and remedied at an early stage.

However, if your pump stops working as it should and you can’t work out what’s wrong – or you can work out what’s wrong, but can’t fix it – the experts at Pulliam Pools are here to help. Our pool repairs team has years of experience working on pools in and around Fort Worth, Weatherford, and Arlington and will be able to ensure your pool is quickly back in perfect condition.

Contact us now for more information or to book a visit from one of our engineers.