As swimming pool and spa owners, we all have a swimming pool pump. A swimming pool pump is a required piece of equipment on any body of water. As the water gets drawn from the skimmer and/or the main drains, it is then pushed through your system. Your equipment set up may include a salt system, a heater or an in-line chlorinator. It makes all these stops. Your swimming pool filter is another required piece of pool equipment so count on the water passing through there as well.
Like any piece of equipment, sometimes our swimming pool pumps may need repair. Depending on the issue, the age of the pump and the efficiency of the pump and our budget determines whether we need to repair or replace.
Humming
If your swimming pool pump is humming this can mean the capacitor is bad or the motor has seized. Capacitors can be replaced, but unfortunately , whatever fried your first one could do the same for your second one. You just don’t know until you try it. Capacitors , if it works, can be an inexpensive fix.
Another reason your pump could be humming is because your motor has seized. Motors can be replaced for a few hundred dollars. That is just for the motor. If you are not a DIY person, you will have to pay someone to install it. When the motor is removed, we also need to replace the pump seal. It is prudent to replace all seals since you have the pump torn apart. Depending on where you live and what the laws are, you may not be able to find a single speed pump. Here in California, variable speed pumps are the requirement, so motors may be hard to come by.
Grinding
If your pool pump is making a grinding noise, this is usually a clue that the motor bearings are going out. While you can find some shops to replace the bearings, they are few and far between. Note: replaced bearings typically only last one year anyhoo. It may be in your best interest to replace the motor or the entire pump. If you have a single speed pump, you may want to consider the energy savings of a variable speed pump.
Leaking
There are many places a pool pump can leak from. The most common place is from the mechanical, or pump seal. You will notice a pool of water underneath your pump. There is even a designated place on the pump called a “weep line” which directs the water. Pump Seals are about $20. But if you are not familiar with replacing pump parts, you’ll have to take it into a shop or have a pool pro come and do it for you. That could get a little more pricey.
There are also a ton of other seals that can leak. You have your cover o-ring, seal plate gasket, diffuser o-ring etc. Taking the pump apart and evaluating your needs is the best bet. O-rings are relatively inexpensive. Again, you may need to pay for labor if you are not tech savvy. But that is ok!
Old Technology
There comes a time when your pump just needs to be replaced. Maybe it is beyond repair. Maybe you want to save money. Say whhhhaaaat? Did I just say “save money”? Yup. I sure did. By investing in a variable speed pump, you will see marketable savings on your electric bill. On average here in SoCal? $70 per month!
Variable speed pumps operate at a variety of speeds. You run it for lower, longer, thus the energy savings. They have the timer directly on the pump for easy programming. They are required by law in some States, which we chatted about before. They are the new technology in swimming pool equipment.
But Variable Speed Pumps Are Pricey!
They certainly can be! If you were to go to your local pool store and inquire on a variable speed pump, your eyes may bulge out at the thousands of dollars they are asking for. I am here to tell you that you can get a high quality, name brand, American made variable speed pump for about half of what you expected to pay! Yes, friends, the Black & Decker name has extended itself into pool equipment. With a 5 year warranty and quite the deal…you would be foolish not to check them out. Do so here. https://poolpartstogo.com/collections/all-pumps
See you poolside!
