Azul Pool and Spa offers all major and trusted brands of pool pumps including Hayward, Jandy, Pentair and more. If you are in need of a new pool pump, one of our pool product specialists can assist you in determining the right pump for both your pool and your budget.
For many pool owners, the pool pump is an item they would rather not have to think about or worry about. But your pump is one of the most crucial parts of the pool. Without your pool pump it would be impossible for you to keep your pool water clean and safe. With this in mind, let’s look at the important role your pool pump plays as a part of your pool “system”. We’ll also cover some of the common pump repair issues you may face.
What Does A Pool Pump Do?
In simple terms, your swimming pool pump is responsible for pulling water out of the pool, moving the water through the filtration system, and then forcing (or pushing) the clean water back into the pool. The pump “system” would include the pool pump, valves, pipes, etc. needed to move the water from one place to another and back again. There are many different parts to your pool pump and pool pump repair services can be required in any of these “system” areas.
Understanding the system as a whole is important because the size and length of the pipes that are used to carry the water will determine the size of pool pump that you need. A pump that is too small will not be able to work efficiently and will not have a long life. A pump that is too big will cost you more in purchase cost and energy bills. The proper pump will operate at the optimal level of performance; it will be easy to maintain, have fewer problems, and cost less in pool pump repairs and energy bills.
How Does a Pool Pump Work?
Your pool pump has two water lines: one line draws water out of the pool (influent line) and into the pump housing; the other line expels water (effluent line) from the pump. The water is moved (in and out) when the pump is started and the impeller begins to spin around. Through centrifugal force the water is either pulled in or forced out. The water that is forced out (effluent) moves to the next system which is normally the pool filtration system.
Types of Pool Pumps
There are a variety of pool pumps available. Generally, the type of pump selected for any given pool is one that can circulate the pool water in an 8-hour period. But, there are other considerations that have to be dealt with as well
Most pool pumps are single-speed pumps. This means that when they are operated they operate at maximum speed at all times. While this type of pump is tried and tested, it does consume more energy than the newer types of energy efficient variable-speed pumps.
With variable-speed pool pumps, you can adjust the pump to meet various demand levels. For instance, you can reduce the speed when water is simply being moved through the heater and increase the speed when running the water through filtration and other water features. By adjusting the speed of the pool pump so that it only works as hard as it has to for any given task, operating costs are reduced as well as reducing wear and tear on the motor thus saving on pool pump repair costs too.
Additional Features
Swimming pools that have added features such as an attached spa will require larger pool pumps. The same is true for pools that have waterfalls or water features. It is very important to consider these additional water features when selecting a pool pump.
Larger, commercial-sized pools will also require pumps that are able to handle added demand. Again, selecting a pool pump that does not have enough horsepower to handle this amount of water will result in poor efficiency as well as higher pool pump repair costs. It is far better to get the proper size of pump right from the start than to try to save a few dollars by buying a smaller-than-needed pump.
Pool Pump Problems
There may be times when you need pool pump repairs. Some of the more common problems owners experience include:
· Pump does not pull in water
· Loss of pump suction or air leak
· Pump leaks water
· Pool pump motor does not work or is loud
The above are just a few of the problems that a pool pump may have. You may be able to handle simple maintenance of your pool pump (ie, cleaning debris from the pump screen or basket). In other cases, your pool pump may require the repair services of a professional (such as replacing an impeller). If you are experiencing issues with your pool pump, contact Azul Pool and Spa today. We have experience and knowledge you can trust!