All is going well until you notice that your pool water is looking a little murky, or the pump is making a weird and sad noise. It can feel a bit scary when your pool equipment starts acting up because the parts can really seem complicated. Many pool owners worry right away that they need an expensive repair. But the good news is that you can learn to be a smart detective and find some of the simple problems yourself before calling the pros.
Common Pool Pump Issues You Can Check
If your pool water is not clear, or there is weak flow coming from your return jets, it is highly likely that your pump is struggling. Sometimes the pump will not turn on at all, or it makes a loud, grinding noise that sounds like gravel.
Circuit Breaker
The very first thing to check if your pump refuses to start is the circuit breaker that controls the pump. A tripped breaker is a common electrical problem that homeowners can easily fix themselves.
Pump Basket
Perhaps the breaker is fine, but the pump is still making weird noises. Or it won’t prime, meaning it keeps losing the water it needs to run correctly. If either of these things is happening, you need to look at the pump basket.
Pool pumps have a small basket at the front that catches large debris, such as leaves and twigs, before they reach the pump’s impeller. If this basket is completely packed with trash, the pump cannot get enough water. This causes it to make that horrible grinding sound.
Furthermore, a dirty or clogged basket causes the pump to have to work harder than it should. This can shorten its life and increase your energy bill dramatically. Cleaning this basket is an easy maintenance job.
Filter and Skimmer Box Troubles
Just like the pump, the filtration system in your pool can experience straightforward problems that keep your pool water from being clean. Knowing what to look for can save you time and money.
Full Skimmer Box
The skimmer box, which is the small rectangular opening at the pool’s water line, has a basket. If that basket is overflowing with debris, the pool cannot pull water in for filtration. This starves the pump.
When the skimmer basket is full, you will see a sluggish water flow at the skimmer. You will notice that the surface of your pool has more floating debris than usual. Emptying the skimmer basket is something you should do every few days, especially after a storm.
Clogged Filter
The main filter, which is a big tank usually located right after the pump, is what captures all the tiny gunk. So it needs to be maintained too. If the pressure gauge on your filter tank is reading much higher than normal, or if the water coming out of the return jets looks cloudy, the filter is struggling to do its job.
The filter inside is clogged and needs cleaning or backwashing. While you can usually clean or backwash a filter yourself, you should call a pool professional if the filter gauge needle is swinging wildly or if the filter housing is leaking.
If you have done all these simple checks and still have problems, then the equipment needs professional attention. Call Landi Pool Service in Vineland, NJ for pool equipment repair straight away.
