7 Signs Your Pool Pump Needs Repair or Replacement
By the BlueIQ Pools team ·
Your pool pump is the heart of the system. When it struggles, water quality drops fast. Watch for these warning signs.
1. Screeching or grinding noises
Usually worn motor bearings. On an older motor it is often time to replace the motor or the whole pump.
2. The pump hums but will not start
Commonly a failed capacitor or a jammed impeller. Turn it off - running a stalled motor can burn it out.
3. The breaker or GFCI keeps tripping
Can mean a motor short, moisture in the wiring or a failing GFCI. This is a safety issue and needs a professional.
4. Low flow or low filter pressure
Check pump and skimmer baskets first. If clear, the impeller may be clogged or there may be an air leak on the suction side.
5. Air bubbles in the pump basket
Often a worn lid O-ring, loose fitting or low water level.
6. Leaks around the pump
Water between the motor and the pump usually means a failed shaft seal. Replace it quickly before water reaches the motor bearings.
7. Rising electric bills
An older single-speed pump can be one of the largest energy users in a home. Upgrading to variable speed often pays for itself.
Repair or replace?
If the pump is relatively new and the issue is a seal, capacitor or impeller, repair it. If the motor has failed on an older single-speed pump, replacing it with a variable-speed model - ideally connected to automation - is usually the smarter investment.
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BlueIQ Pools serves all of New Jersey.