﻿Repair or Replace the Pool Pump?

Repair or Replace the Pool Pump?

11/18/2014

Repair or Replace the Pool Pump?

Is your pool pump noisy, leaking, smoking or simply not working? You may need to take care of it right away or risk the pump not working at all. If your pump is not circulating the water, hot weather will make it gross, fast.

If your pump is down, lower the pH to 7.2 and shock the pool. Also, brush and skim twice a day to help keep it clean and circulated.

Is it a Pump Problem or Motor Problem?

Connected to the front half of the pump or wet end, is the motor or back half of the pump. It is connected by a seal plate that bolts or clamps the two halves together.

Not starting, overheating, or loud screechy noises indicate motor problems.

Wet end pump problems would have to do with any of the parts that the water moves through such as the pump pot, pump basket, volute, impeller and diffuser, and so on.

Wet end problems could be things such as leaking, broken baskets, worn out seals or o-rings, clogged impellers or diffusers or cracked volutes.

Once you determine what is causing the problem or contact us to determine the problem, you can decide whether to repair the pump or replace it.

REPAIR your Pump When:

1) The cost of repairing the pump is more affordable than replacing it.

2) Your pump motor is less than five years old. Motors should last closer to ten years.

3) You want to avoid plumbing involved with connecting the new pump.

Replace your Pump When:

1) You live in a state that requires an energy efficient pool pump. Check the website of your state for requirements.

2) Your pump is smaller or bigger than what you need.

3) Your motor is older than five years or has irreparable damage.

4) You prefer a new pump with a factory warranty.

No matter what you decide, remember that it's a decision that needs to be made ASAP. Image by Angel Saavedra Wiki
Thank you to Tina Droessler for her guest post this week. Tina provides real estate services in Palm Desert and is an expert at finding homes with good working swimming pools and spas. Perfect for our hotter climates. Thanks Tina!

See also:

- Pool Inspection Basics

-Airlock Might Be Why Your Pool Pump's Not Priming

-Does Chlorine Make Your Eyes Sting?

21 Comments

Isabella Brooks link

7/25/2017 05:24:15 am

The decision whether to replace your existing pool pump or to repair it will depend on the condition of the machine. You may not have mechanical ideas, so you cannot detect the issue of the pump. Take this to a good mechanic and ask him the approximate cost requirement to fix the issue. Then, evaluate thoroughly that the step of buying a new one would be beneficial or repair the same. You can apply the cost benefit ratio. If the pump is the latest one, it is better to repair it as its electricity consumption would be low. If it is very old one, do not invest in it.

Jenna Hunter link

6/28/2019 05:15:51 pm

Thanks for the tips about when to replace the pump. My husband and I are thinking about getting a pool. If we do then it would be nice to know a professional that could help us fix the pool pump when it breaks.

9/18/2019 02:03:23 pm

Thanks for the tip about repairing the pump when it is less expensive than replacing it. My brother is thinking about getting a pool for his backyard and it could be really nice for him to get it installed by a professional. If it were ever damaged it could be really nice for him to get it repaired by a professional.

Zachary Tomlinson link

3/19/2020 03:44:27 pm

Thanks for helping me learn more about whether to repair or replace a pool pump. My uncle gave me one of his older properties, and to my surprise, the property has a pool. It's surprising for me to know that a pump motor can last for more than 5 years. I should share this with my uncle so that both of us could decide whether to replace or repair the pool pump on this pool.

Kristofer Van Wagner link

3/22/2020 10:32:26 am

Thank you for sharing when we should repair or replace our swimming pool pump. My pool pump has been running really loudly and I noticed some leaks the other day. Considering that my swimming pool pump is older than 5 years, I will call for a professional to have the pump repaired.

Vivian Black link

4/2/2020 04:43:02 pm

You made a great point about replacing your pump if the motor is too old or you might want a new one with a warranty. My husband and I are looking for a swimming pool pump repair service that can help us since we have never had one in our life before. We will keep these tips in mind as we search for a professional that can help us best.

Fred Gibbons link

6/11/2020 08:26:55 am

It's valuable that you mention that pool pumps need to be replaced when the motor is about 5 years old. The pump I use for my pool is a little bit older than that, so I'm considering buying a new one. I'm going to search for a good business in my area that can sell me a pool pump.

Fay link

6/15/2020 10:21:22 am

Thank you for saying that you need to repair your pump if the motor is less than five years old. My husband told me that he would really like to use the pool more often but that we should consider resurfacing it with professional help. In my opinion, this is a good idea because ever since our kids moved out we have not maintained the pool very well and it needs some repairs.

Shaylee Packer link

6/24/2020 05:57:47 am

As you mentioned, it is a good idea to consider repairing your pump if the pump is less than 5 years old, of the cost of repairing is more affordable than replacing. We recently moved into a home with a pool, and I have noticed that the pump seems like it is not quite functioning properly. I will have to have someone come check it out for us. As I don't know the age of the pump, would it be a good idea to replace it to be on the safe side?

9/16/2020 10:36:14 pm

You make an excellent point that it is important for us to have our pumps repaired when it is due as it prevents our pumps from damaging any further. The other day my wife mentioned that our pump has been giving out a loud noise. I will schedule for it to be repaired this weekend.

Nelson Fogerty link

12/2/2020 09:38:48 am

It's cool that you mention that you can have the pump in your swimming pool repaired if it breaks. The pump in my swimming pool stopped working last week, so I'm considering hiring a professional to repair it for me. I'm going to search for a reputable provider of pool pump repair services in my area to hire.

Adam Golightly link

1/27/2021 02:34:06 pm

My cousin would really like to manage his water pumps to make sure that he can be a lot better. Making sure that he can get some help from a professional could allow them to be more effective. I liked what you said about how motors should last for 10 years, and be the right size to fit their needs that can be energy efficient.

Larry Weaver link

1/27/2021 02:35:56 pm

Thanks for the tip to repair a water pump if it is less than five years old. I have a water pump that is two years old. It is having some problems operating, so I'll get a repair service to repair the water pump.

Tez link

1/27/2021 05:05:44 pm

I agree that repairs should only be done if they are cheaper than complete replacements. I need to get my pool pump fixed. It is broken and the pool is getting dirty.

Alec Burns link

2/2/2021 12:16:57 pm

Thank you for mentioning that you should have your pool pump replaced if the motor is more than 5 years old. The pump in my swimming pool is at least that year, so I'm considering buying a new one for it. I'm going to search for a reputable business that can sell me a pool pump.

Bob Newton link

2/22/2021 12:17:48 pm

It's helpful that you point out that you should have your pool's pump replaced if the motor is more than 5 years old. The pump in my pool is older than that, so I'm thinking about hiring someone to install a new one in it. I'm going to search for a good business that can install a new pool pump for me.

Rebecca Gardner link

3/1/2021 11:39:28 am

Thanks for explaining that "wet end" problems have to do with any part of the pump that water actually moves through. My brother and his wife are looking for an experienced water pump service since theirs has been having issues with not starting for a couple of weeks now. The info you shared here should help them feel more informed and prepared to discuss specifics with a water pump service soon!

Chris Pederson link

3/1/2021 05:12:58 pm

Thanks for the advice to repair a pump that has a motor less than five years old. I got the pump when I moved into my new home. It is only about two years old and stopped working properly so I'll get it repaired like you said.

3/30/2021 03:03:43 pm

My mom has been thinking about getting a pump for her pool in order to be safer. She would really like to get some help from a professional in order to be safer. Thanks for explaining when she should repair her pump, and avoid plumbing that connects the new pump.

Jonathan Hansen link

4/5/2021 08:04:31 am

Thank you for mentioning that you should have your pool pump replaced if the motor is more than 5 years old. My pool pump is about 6 years old, so I'm thinking about replacing it this month. I'm going to look for a reputable business that can sell me a new pool pump.

Waikato waterproofing link

4/11/2021 02:36:50 am

Hi, thank you for such a brilliant post. I have been reading some blogs that gives me more knowledge about repair or replace the pool pump . I must say this is one of the best among them. You have done a great research for I feel, thanks for sharing.