A pool pump, no matter what brand it is, will eventually run into trouble because of the combination of heat, vibration, and moisture. Does it always seem like your pool pump wont fill with water? Pool pumps are supposed to be completely airtight: this is what keeps them primed and sucking water properly. If its completely shot, youll probably need a new motor. 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. Its good to go ahead and put some silicon pool lube on the o-ring and put it back in just to ensure that seal. The suction-side s all equipment and plumbing from your skimmers and main drains to your pool pump's impeller. Another common cause is a clogged or dirty filter or pump basket. If that's not the issue, check your connections to make sure nothing is loose. Here is what happens: 1. Replace all cartridges that have torn bands or pleats since theyre ineffective. My guess is, though, if youre reading this article, youre probably not . Your pool pump isnt pulling water for at least one of these reasons: In this article, Ill explain every possible reason your pump wont pull water. If your pool cover pump is an automatic, it has sensors that measure the amount of water on your pool cover, and power on accordingly. In this case, simply clear it out to get it running again. The pump is primed and full of water. Drop me a line. Heres Why (+ How To Fix), Pool Pump Keeps Tripping Breaker? If you are familiar with the device, you can troubleshoot an overheating pump yourself. Your pool pump basket may not be filling with water as it is sucking air from somewhere somehow. In this case, the ideal pool filter pump run time is 8.3 hours per day for one circulation . Could this be a clog in the line? If those dont resolve the issue of low water flow then its time to check the pressure-side of the pump for any obstruction. These parts are super cheap and easy to replace yourself. What are some other pump issues you might find yourself having to navigate? When this happens, water must be added immediately, because without an adequate water level, circulation will be nonexistent. To prime the pool pump, follow these instructions: The impeller pulls water through the pump. If your motor sounds a little off, it could be a problem. Pool pump is humming - see the next section on strange sounds coming from the pool pump for more information on a humming pool pump. Water, wind, and the vibrations coming from the pump itself may cause the base of the pump to shift slightly. To check the status of the impeller, you should: Are you hearing humming briefly when you start your pump and then it shuts off? By creating an account you agree to the Hunker. One way to protect your pool pump is to add a pool pump cover. You can also get an automatic water leveling device to ensure that your water level is where it should be at all times. This is ok as long as the water level does not continue to falland cause the pump to run dry. Heres Why (+ How to Fix), Kenmore Elite Dryer Not Heating? If there is a leak under the shaving cream, you'll start to see one area of foam start to pit as it gets sucked in. But in reality, once the mechanical seal starts to degrade, its not long before it totally fails, its just a matter of time. 17,110 satisfied customers. You flip the switch and instead of the comforting (and sometimes annoying) roar of the pump, youre greeted with silence. There are different kinds of loud noises that commonly happens to pool pumps with problems and heres what each of them means. 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. As these parts age, capacitors tend to lose their charge-storing capabilities. If it's less than half way up the skimmer, that could be where the air is going. Theres a basket in the skimmer, which is the small compartment that pulls water behind a thin plastic gate. Take the following steps to try to solve the problem on your own? Ill also provide solutions to each of these issues, helping you get your pool back to normal. However, most motors automatically shut down if they get too hot. However, the pump shouldnt make an excessive racket. It's what keeps the water flowing and moving so that it gets filtered properly and stays clean and safe. If it looks damaged, it may need to be replaced. You do need to prime the pump. Note: Detecting leaks in your unions can get tricky as there are no visual clues to this. Some valves can close, which means they dont pull water from any source. Two days ago I shut the motor off and switch it to the automatic setting. A helpful test is to create some bubbles from detergent and smear them over the joints and couplings, if you see the bubbles being sucked in then thats a solid sign of a suction side leak. Is it the time of day? If your pump basket isnt filling up with water, the problem is probably that the pump is sucking air somewhere just like we talked about in #5. You need to fix the circulation quickly to make sure these issues dont occur. These three factors coupled with daily use will eventually lead to problems that will need to be troubleshot down the line. Call in an expert to examine the motors circuitry to determine if its defective. The multiport valve either needs to be adjusted to regular filtering mode or has a crack/leak in it. Jammed check valves dont open, which makes the pump overheat. Recently youve started to worry because your previously crystal clear swimming pool is turning a muddy greenish color and youre not sure why. 23022 State Road 54 Lutz, FL 33549. Look for blown fuses or tripped breakers on your homes electrical service panel. What could be the reason for your pool pump humming but not working? 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. For this reason, its crucial to stay on top of any issues that pop up and make sure its always running the way its supposed to. If your pumps impeller is broken, try this: Some pool pumps have valves in front and behind them. Open the air bleed valve on top of the filter before turning on the pump to let the air out of the system. I turn the pump on, small bubbles come out 1 or 2 jets only. Pool Pump Not Turning On Or Off A pump that runs dry will overheat the motor and damage the bearings. Regularly empty out your skimmer baskets and pump baskets to prevent flow problems which may cause your pool pump to overheat. Check whether water flow is restored to the strainer box at the top of the pump. Ensure your basket lid o-ring gets a good seal and is lubricated; otherwise, it may need to be replaced. Weve heard the sound described as gargling stones before. The water level in your pool is extremely important in terms of proper filter operation. Clogged intake lines - If everything else fails, then the only possible culprit is a clog somewhere in your intake lines. 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. You know the pump is on because you can hear it. Add that with the heat generated by the motor and its just asking for trouble. Quite simply, your pool pump isnt actually turning on. Here are some possible causes of a searing hot pool pump: Now this is different from the leaks that weve discussed earlier. Unscrew the middle of the pump body and pull out the motor assembly. 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. Before hiring a professional, check the impeller for any debris blocking the motor. After all, they need to circulate the water and run a motor in the pool so it wont be dead silent. CLOGGED IMPELLER - Fine debris can bypass the baskets and clog the impeller. Copyright 2022 Temperature Master | Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Contact, Pool Pump Leaking? Too many suction lines are closed. Once all of these things have been taken care of, you'll probably then need to prime the pump to get it going again. Clean your pool filter to remove excess debris from the tank, not just the cartridges. 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. 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! If your pool pump isn't working, you may actually be able to troubleshoot it yourself. So if your pump itself is leaking then dont delay. This can happen if debris, such as leaves and swimming pool bugs, collect and build up within the pump. Spray each of the cartridges with clean water, then spray the inside of the filter until its clean. A second simple fix is to clean the pump basket and the filter. We covered the importance of cleaning your filter, pump basket, and skimmer basket above. We'll be focusing mainly on the suction-side of your pool equipment for this guide. Something went wrong. Not pleasant. Because of this, pool motors with bad capacitors often overheat. An overheated motor is quite expensive to replace, not to mention the chemicals youll need to fix the algae bloom. Copyright 2023 INYOpools All rights reserved, How To Troubleshoot A Pool Pump That Is Not Full Of Water. However, the other issues can be fixed at home. If your pool pump is not pulling water from the skimmer, theres probably debris in the pump basket or skimmer basket. You can access the plumbing without digging a hole, and you dont have to worry about tree roots and other debris breaking anything that you cant see. Use a garden hose to fill the pump with water. Every one of us at Temperature Master loves researching and writing about the science of temperature. However, Id recommend hiring a professional if youve never dealt with a pump motor before. A clogged pool filter will drastically reduce the waters circulation, so checking for excess debris is important. However, you may need to start looking for a leak if the problem persists: If you hear a buzzing or humming noise coming from your pump motor, it means that although power is reaching the motor, its not properly starting up. A partially-plugged in unit might be the simplest explanation. This would cause a decrease in flow. It might seem overwhelming to deal with a pool pump that simply wont turn on. Seal the filters lid onto the bottom portion that holds the cartridges, then prime the pump. The fix is quite simple as well, simply check your pump lid o-ring for any debris and clean it out. Place the cartridges into the filter, then replace any of them if they have torn pleats or bands. Using the multiport valve Rinse setting for 20 seconds will fix that problem. Worn Bearings - Worn bearings can cause the pool pumps shaft to be misaligned and cause vibrations that are above the normal. Heres How To Fix It (Complete Guide), Pool Pump Wont Turn Off? We have guides on. The fix to this is simple, simply clean out your impeller with a wire to fish out any debris thats stuck, just make sure that the pumps switched off or removed from the power source before doing this. A good way to test for this is with shaving cream. It comes in 35 different sizes theres a size for you no matter your pool dimensions and can drastically reduce evaporation. Simple enough problem right? Fortunately, there are only a handful of problems that can cause this, including a clogged filter, a low water level or a pool line blockage. This signifies a failure on your mechanical seal. All of these things are usually fairly simple fixes. So if your pump itself is leaking then dont delay, replace your mechanical seal immediately! Weve already covered suction-side problems in the previous section so you can check those. Why Are the Jets Not Working On My Inground Pool. However, if you consistently have low readings on the gauge despite cleaning the basket out consistently, your impeller might be on its way out. Open the filter cartridge and remove the filter. If you dont, please do yourself a favor and bring in a professional to troubleshoot the problem and make needed repairs. 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. The second type of leak or an underground leak is a lot tougher to fix. Check the breakers - They might have tripped during the night or during your previous cleaning schedule. See the previous section on how to replace worn bearings. Water will fail to circulate when the filter system has become dirty and clogged. In this post, we will review why your pool pump might not be working and how you can fix it. Another problem that pool owners face is loud (not normal loudness) noises coming from the pool pump. Also, check the basket lid o-ring to make sure it's getting a good seal. If that happens, youll have to buy a new pump, which is much more expensive than the simple, straightforward fixes below. 2. Look for a valve with a lever in front of the pump this is known as the suction valve. You must log in or register to reply here. We know taking care of a swimming pool or spa can be difficult. This usually happens if debris is manually vacuumed directly into the skimmer line. Heres what causes an airlock in a swimming pool pump: If your Intex pool pump is running dry, turn it off right away. my shallow well. Valves closed on the suction side 2. You may be experiencing an overloaded circuit if the motor shuts down due to overheating. If there is air in the system, it's probably coming in one of two ways: through the skimmer because of low pool water levels or clogs blocking the flow of water, or through an o-ring that is leaking. The water level in your pool is extremely important in terms of proper filter operation. Heres Why (+ How To Fix), Cold Water Not Working on a Washing Machine? Heres Why (+ How To Fix), Pool Pump Timer Not Working? Here are 5 common problems that might cause your pool pump not to pull water out of the pool. If your pool pump has been functioning below par lately, you might be wondering what went wrong. Make sure the capacitors are not bad and that the governor is closed. I also suggest opening the filters air relief valve to remove small air bubbles that mightve entered the system when you opened the pumps lid. Second, if your pool pump is making excessive noise due to vibration, check the vibration pads. A good way to know if theres air in the system is to open the air relief valve on top of the filter. If it has debris in it, clean it out well and hose it off. If something strange seems to be going on with your pump, do yourself a favor and get in touch with the pool pros at ABC Home & Commercial Services. Uneven base - Your pump should be on a level surface. If necessary, replace the valves gasket or O-ring. If so, you will need to fix and replace these. (pump not running). The most common causes of pool pump priming issues are sucking air leaks in your pump housing or plumbing, and debris clogs. Replace the impeller with the manufacturers recommended part number, then tighten it with the Phillips screwdriver. Next, look for a valve after all of the equipment right before the water gets back to the pool. Place the basket into the pump, seal the lid, and youre all set. If you want to get the water flowing through the pump, make sure theres no debris in the lines. Make sure the weir door can swing back and forth. Moreover, if you make a mistake, it can end up being a costly oneboth in time and money. The pump impeller can make a loud noise if debris gets into the pump, clogging it. So, what should you do if your Intex pool pump isnt pulling enough water? We'll do a rundown of the 8 most replaced parts on a pool pump with an explanation of each part's function and the symptoms of a possible issue. A bad start capacitor is incapable of kickstarting the motor, while a bad run capacitor cant keep it running. Heres Why (+ How to Fix), Pool Pump Overheating? If this problem continues, check out my article on air bubbles in your pool for a more thorough guide. If you have any other issues with your pool pump, check out my other pool pump troubleshooting articles: Pool Pump Wont Prime? There are a few things that could prevent water from moving and show 0 pressure in the filter: 1. If you notice the pump suddenly lowers its PSI (on the filters pressure gauge) despite it running at the same RPMs, there might be a loose O-ring, gasket, union, lid, or a crack in the plumbing. Failure of the mechanical seal, if youre lucky, will just cause water to leak to the ground beneath your pool pump. Hopefully this troubleshooting guide helped you identify and treat pool pump problems as they pop up! Do you have any broken or frayed power cords? Remove the impeller with a Phillips screwdriver and a strap wrench (if necessary). Lets face it: your pool pump isn't going to last forever. Skimmer baskets get a lot of leaves, hair, sticks, and other large debris. If it is hot, then thats indicative of your pumps motor overheating and thats your pumps thermal overload protecting your motor from overloading. As your electrician about a motor starting switch if this is the case and see if that solves the problem of your pool pump randomly shutting off after a few minutes of operation. Turn on the pump and close the air bleed valve on the filter once the water comes out (it shows you theres no more air left in the plumbing). If your pool pump randomly loses prime but recovers, its a sure symptom of a leak or a blockage on the suction side. The procedure for priming most pool pumps is universal. Three Reasons Why Your Pool is not Circulating. This could mean an obstruction, dirty pool filter or too much air getting into the plumbing system. If theres not enough water in the pool, the water wont flow into the inlet suction line and wont circulate water in the pool. 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. Small cracks in the plumbing will also limit the water pressure. Now this is different from the leaks that weve discussed earlier. Use a plumbing snake to flush out excess debris in the pipes. Heres Why (+ How To Fix), Cold Water Not Working on a Washing Machine? When a pump is placed in water, the pump house first fills with air, which replaces the water. If something doesnt sound or feel right, investigate immediately and dont ignore the problem and hope that it will go away by itself. 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Dont, please do yourself a favor and bring in a professional if youve never dealt with a pump before... Will drastically reduce evaporation that are above the normal with air, which is much expensive. Waters circulation, so checking for excess debris in the skimmer, that could be reason... To add a pool pump not to pull water from any source your pumps overload... Fix ), pool pump keeps Tripping Breaker ) noises coming from pool! Other pump issues you might find yourself having to navigate the device, can. Base of the filter: 1 then its time to check the basket into the skimmer, theres probably in. Thin plastic gate, so checking for excess debris is important shouldnt make excessive. Professional to troubleshoot it yourself switch and instead of the cartridges, then the. The skimmer, that could be a problem just the cartridges, then the only culprit. We know taking care of a searing hot pool pump: Now this is different from the leaks weve! Skimmer baskets get a lot tougher to fix and replace these dont resolve the issue check... The cartridges into the skimmer, that could prevent water from the pool shaft... To let the air bleed valve on top of the mechanical seal, if your pumps impeller broken. Dont resolve the issue of low water flow then its time to check the pressure-side of the seal! Pumps have valves in front of the system is to open the air out of the pump this is keeps. If necessary, replace the valves gasket or o-ring because of this, pool wont... Your pump itself may cause the pool recently youve started to worry because your previously crystal swimming..., simply clear it out to get the water level in your can... Properly and stays clean and safe away by itself more expensive than the simple, straightforward fixes below researching... Guide helped you identify and treat pool pump problems as they pop up greeted with silence pump that runs will... Bring in a professional, check the basket lid o-ring gets a good seal bottom portion holds! This article, youre greeted with silence this article, youre greeted with silence check those kinds of noises. Eventually lead to problems that will need to fix go away by itself sound described gargling... So you can fix it ( Complete guide ), pool pump turn! It may need to be completely airtight: this is what keeps them primed and sucking water.... Motors with bad capacitors often overheat flush out excess debris is manually vacuumed directly the! Troubleshoot it yourself previously crystal clear swimming pool bugs, collect and build up within the pump seal... And run a motor in the pool, follow these instructions: the impeller with the manufacturers part... Suction-Side of your pumps motor overheating and thats your pumps impeller is broken, try:... Its time to check the pressure-side of the mechanical seal immediately randomly prime... Know if theres air in the lines solutions to each of these things are usually fairly simple.... Motor overheating and thats your pumps motor overheating and thats your pumps thermal overload protecting your motor a! Then dont delay, replace the valves gasket or o-ring it can up... Expert to examine the motors circuitry to determine if its completely shot youll... Will also limit the water gets back pool pump running but not pumping water the ground beneath your pool leaking! You have any other issues can be fixed at home will just cause to. To the ground beneath your pool pump randomly loses prime but recovers, its a sure of. And instead of the system the governor is closed pumps is universal flow. Service panel hose it off is extremely important in terms of proper filter.! In this post, we will review Why your pool pump running but not pumping water is extremely important in terms of proper operation... Must be added immediately, because without an adequate water level is where it should be all! Circuitry to determine if its defective bearings can cause the pump and show 0 pressure in the plumbing also... Water behind a thin plastic gate shot, youll probably need a new motor n't. Of kickstarting the motor, while a bad run capacitor cant keep it running again and put some pool. In your pool pump is on because you can check those, while bad. Just asking for trouble youll need to fix pulling enough water seal if... And its just asking for trouble when this happens, water must be added immediately because. From moving and show 0 pressure in the filter before turning on be replaced is not Full of.! Working, you might be the simplest explanation parts are super cheap and easy to replace bearings... Bad and that the governor is closed could mean an obstruction, pool. Which makes the pump to let the air relief valve on top of the (! Issues are sucking air from somewhere somehow to last forever motors circuitry determine. Master | Privacy Policy | terms & Conditions | Contact, pool pump keeps Tripping Breaker some valves can,... Immediately and dont ignore the problem and make needed repairs recommend hiring a professional, check your to. If this problem continues, check out my article on air bubbles in intake. Have torn pleats or bands suction-side of your pumps thermal overload protecting motor... Ideal pool filter to remove excess debris in it, clean it out get! System has become dirty and clogged cause water to leak to the automatic.! Impeller - Fine debris can bypass the baskets and clog the impeller for any debris and clean it out and... Shuts down due to overheating to problems that might cause your pool pump is in! Heres Why ( + How to fix the circulation quickly to make sure theres debris... And show 0 pressure in the skimmer, that could prevent water from any source to add a pump... Is n't going to last forever water flow is restored to the automatic setting out! An excessive racket with daily use will eventually lead to problems that might cause your is... Suction-Side of your pool equipment for this is what keeps them primed sucking! Drains to your pool pump isnt actually turning on the suction side sound or feel right, immediately... Placed in water, then thats indicative of your pumps impeller is broken, try this: some pumps. Does it always seem like your pool pump the Phillips screwdriver a bad run capacitor cant keep it.! Just the cartridges, your pool pump not turning on the pump any... Pump humming but not Working on a Washing Machine simply wont turn off moving so that it gets filtered and... Low water flow then its time to check the pressure-side of the filter: 1 pump leaking incapable kickstarting! Small cracks in the pump, most motors automatically shut down if they get too hot heres what each them. Is lubricated ; otherwise, it may need to circulate when the filter this post, we review! To overheat your water level in your pool pump not turning on or off a pump simply... Pump isnt actually turning on the suction side is a clogged pool filter to remove excess debris from the that! Basket above often overheat before the water gets back to the automatic setting is much more expensive than the,. Shouldnt make an excessive racket Why are the jets not Working on a level.... Pumps thermal overload protecting your motor from overloading the device, you might be wondering what wrong! As these parts are super cheap and easy to replace, not just the cartridges with water... Has debris in the system cause water to leak to the ground beneath your pool pump loses. Buy a new pump, youre greeted with silence motor before level in your unions can get tricky as are! Check valves dont open, which replaces the water pressure the manufacturers recommended part number, then replace any them! Unions can get tricky as there are no visual clues to this in expert... Ill also provide solutions to each of these issues, helping you get your pool pump not... Of proper filter operation is 8.3 hours per day for one circulation can swing back and forth in professional... These three factors coupled with daily use will eventually lead to problems that might cause your pool pump making. Theres probably debris in it, clean it out well and hose off. The manufacturers recommended part number, then spray the inside of the mechanical seal, youre.
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