Your pool pump is the heart of your pool system. The entire pool can’t be in good condition if the pool pump is damaged. To avoid pool pump damage, it’s crucial to take preventive measures. We all know the importance of the heart. As the heart pumps blood to circulate the body, it also circulates nutrients and oxygen to every cell in the body. Not just that, it also takes away carbon dioxide and other waste from your cells and organs so your body can dispose of them.
Pool pumps work in the same manner. As it pumps water into the pool, it helps in:
- Circulating the chemicals throughout every corner of your pool (no part is left untouched).
- Circulating the water through the heating element to make sure the pool’s water temperature is the same everywhere.
- Passing the water through the filter to separate sand, debris, leaves, and other particles.
- Passing the water through a chlorinator to get it sanitized.
After all these treatments, the water flows back into the pool sparkling and disinfected.
So you can’t afford to wrongly handle your pool pump, as failing to do so could lead to damage, affecting the proper functioning of every other unit of your pool. In this article, we will show you effective ways to avoid pool pump damage.
Let’s get started!
Effective Tips to Avoid Your Pool Pump From Damaging
1. Keep the pump from freezing
Basic science proves that when water freezes, it expands by up to 9%. This means that a container filled with water that got frozen will either expand or break. That can be the case with your pool pump if it freezes. To avoid pool pump damage, keep the water running during cold temperatures. The water in the pump will only freeze if allowed to stay in one place over a long period. If you can’t keep the water flowing, then make sure you switch off the pump during cold temperatures.
2. Watch out for insects
When the pump is active, it always stays warm. Insects in search of warm shelter can decide to make a lovely home out of it. Insects for sure love to chew. So, they can chew wire shields and expose wires that shouldn’t touch. That’s a threat to the wiring of the entire system. To avoid pool pump damage, the solution is to inspect the pump often. And be sure to use your insecticide in such troublesome times. Close all cracks and access points to the motor and control panel.
3. Give your pump enough air space to breathe
The motor needs good air circulation to operate at optimal conditions. If there’s none, it can’t breathe. And it’s likely to overheat and accumulate moisture until it gets damaged. Even if you have a pool pump cover, make room for ventilation and free airflow to cool the pump. Weeds, bushes, and debris can also shield the motor and impede airflow. Always make sure to keep your motor free from obstructions and clear all weeds around that area.
4. Avoid running your pool with a low water level
When you are running your pond below the skimmer intake, the pump won’t get enough water to operate. In this state, you can say that it runs dry. This causes overheating. If the heating gets intense, the pool will break the seal shaft, melt the pump basket, and deform other essential components of the pump. To avoid pool pump damage, always make sure the water level of the pool is above the skimmer intake before putting on the pump.
5. Avoid a flooded pump
By all means, prevent water from submerging your pool pump to avoid pool pump damage. If your pool is submerged in water, it breaks down. Although if the pool is lifted from the water and internally dried it can barely survive. But using your pool pump when submerged in water will drastically damage your pool pump. It’s advisable not to install the pump at the lowest level of the ground because sediments and debris can lift the ground level over time. This makes your pump an easy target for flooding.
6. Prevent air bubbles in pool pump
When there’s a crack on the suction side of the pump, air enters the pump alongside the water. This causes less water and more air to enter the pump, causing the pump to overwork itself and heat so fast. To avoid pool pump damage, it’s important to address this issue promptly. When you notice air bubbles shooting out of the return jets in your pool, no matter how fanciful this looks, it’s not a good thing. And it means that your pool pump is overworking. When you notice such, find where the crack is and you should either seal it up or change it.
7. Shield your pool pump from heavy sunlight
The heat your pool pump generates when running is just enough to keep its operation swift. Additional heat places the lifespan of the pump in danger. To avoid pool pump damage, a pump receiving extra heat from the sun will run at a hotter temperature than it should. And it is unhealthy for your pump. That’s why we advise you to always cover your pump during the summer’s hot temperatures with a pump cover. Or you can use an umbrella.
8. Professionals are helpful
You have kept your pump properly working all this while. We want to tell you to keep it up! We are sure that by now you’ve known that you don’t need money to avoid your pool pump from damage. All you need is the right information. To help you further, we’ve shared a few ways to avoid pool pump damage. There are still a lot more.
That’s why we recommend that you see to it pool professionals examine your pool and the pump at least yearly and dish out some of these tips as their importance rises. It’s like taking your cute dog to the vet for a checkup yearly. It will help you avoid pool pump damage and prevent you from being caught unawares. You don’t need to search so much again. Reach out to us. We’ll be happy to help and give you everything from our professional capacity to get your pool pump in top-performing conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it important to avoid pool pump damage?
Avoiding pool pump damage is essential because the pool pump is the heart of your pool system. If damaged, it can affect the entire pool’s performance, including water circulation, filtration, and chemical distribution. Regular maintenance helps keep everything running smoothly and efficiently.
How can I avoid pool pump damage during cold weather?
To avoid pool pump damage in cold weather, ensure that the water is kept flowing during freezing temperatures. If you can’t keep the water circulating, switch off the pump to prevent it from freezing and potentially breaking.
What should I do to avoid pool pump damage caused by insects?
Insects can make their home in the warm areas of your pool pump, chewing through wires and causing electrical issues. To avoid pool pump damage from insects, regularly inspect your pump, seal any cracks or access points, and use insecticide as needed.
How do I prevent pool pump damage from poor ventilation?
To avoid pool pump damage caused by overheating, ensure that your pump has enough airflow. Remove any obstructions like weeds, bushes, or debris that could block ventilation and prevent your motor from cooling down properly.
Can running a pool with a low water level cause pump damage?
Yes! Running your pool pump when the water level is too low can cause the pump to overheat, leading to significant damage. Always make sure the water level is above the skimmer intake before turning on the pump to avoid pool pump damage.