Typical faults with pool pumps and circulation problems

I am going to try and help you save a small fortune on call out fees, if you encounter a problem with your circulation pump. You may go to the pool one morning and your pump might be humming when you switch it on, this is nearly always the capacitor which has failed. This can be caused either by an electrical surge, installer error or over time sediment can build up inside the pump between the impellor and diffuser housing. This can cause resistance to the motor and in turn the capacitor will most likely fail.

If it is the capacitor, do not worry. We sell these for most well known pool pumps. You can go down to your local electrical shop and they usually sell capacitors. Please make sure you get the correctly rated one if you buy from an electrical shop as capacitor types vary. If in doubt, buy the correct replacement or consult a qualified electrician.

I would say for safety or if you do not feel competent, then you will need to get an electrician in to do the job for you. If you want to save money and want to change the capacitor yourself and feel comfortable to do so, please ensure the power is switched off, allow the pump to rest and the power to dissipate from the capacitor. Sometimes holding a screwdriver between the terminals will dissipate the charge very quickly, but they have been known to explode, so we would advise you to wear suitable protective goggles.

Once the old capacitor is removed, simply put the new replacement in and wire it into the correct place in the pump terminal block. Ensure the area is clear and screw the housing lid back nice and secure, and then prime the pump by pouring water into the strainer basket area. You then need to secure the lid and turn the pump on and it should fire up and begin to circulate.

If the pump is making a high pitched whining noise then I am afraid that might be the start of the bearings in the motor failing and a new motor would be needed, unless you can buy the bearings and try to fix the motor. From experience, by the time you buy the bearings and take it to a company to fix, it is usually very expensive and the pump may not even last a year. In most cases you would be better spending your money on a new pump.

You might be able to buy a new motor, but again I am afraid due to the high cost of motors and our very competitively priced pumps, you would be best to buy a complete brand new pump and have your old one for spares.
Another problem you might encounter with your pump is it just does not seem to be priming or circulating very well. This is highly likely to be caused by an introduction of air into the system. The most common place it is introduced is from the lid of the pump, or dirt on the lid o ring or it can be as simple as the lid not being tightened enough (this does not have to be over tight, just hand tight). Ensure o ring is clean and the recess where the o ring sits is clear and clean, then place the lid and tighten. If this has been checked but air is still present, then you need to look at other areas before the pump, so anything with a flanged connection and o ring. For example a Double Union Ball Valve (DUBV) needs to be checked to see if the O-rings have been damaged or perished. They may need changing or it might just need tightening up a little.

Another simple problem is insufficient water in the pool. You should ensure the pool is nice and full and air cannot be introduced through a fitting. You could have poor circulation flow due to your sand filter being blocked with dirt and debris. You need to Backwash the filter regularly to remove the dirt inside the filter and therefore minimising the pressure build up and allowing the water to flow more freely back to the swimming pool.

If the above fails, you might have a fracture in the pipe work and I would suggest calling out a pool company to pressure test the system. If you need any help, please call our technical department on 0844 247 0047.

Please note: 1st Direct Pools are not responsible for any injury or damage to equipment while using our guides. Using our guides is doing so at your own risk. These guides are a suggested use of your pool or spa equipment and may vary depending on which product you are using.