Yes, it’s still freezing cold in New England, but let’s get into summer mode here for a moment and think about sitting by the pool on a sunny day, sipping a cocktail.

The pool is your relaxing zone. It is a comforting space to forget  all your worries. Imagine yourself sitting by the pool, isn’t it the perfect place to rejuvenate?

But like they say, there is no pleasure without pain. Your swimming pool also requires timely maintenance. Especially the pool pump.

The Pump is the most worked equipment of the pool. Depending on the size of the pool, the most common pumps are three horsepower or less and have two threaded connection at the piping system where the water is drawn in and then pushed out. This is the area where leaks usually occur.

You can prevent further damage when the leakage is properly identified and repaired. This is helpful for you to save money on repair bills, equipment replacement and down time.

The pump maintains the chemistry of chemicals and water. The water is directed from the pool to the filter, heater and chlorinator so that it can be filtered, heated and sanitized before re-entering the pool. The pool pump should therefore always be checked for any leakage at regular intervals.

If you are not able to prime your pump then the cause could be leakage. It is important to determine the nature of the leak. Here’s how you can do it.

Check the main seal

If the leakage is not from the pipe connections and despite that you find water under your pump, then it may be due to main seal leak. The main seal is in the middle of the pump. Leakage at this place calls for a new main seal and pump service.

Check for unusual noise

As the pool pump grows old, its bearing gets damaged. This results in leakage. This can be mended with a new main seal and bearings. When faced with a problem like this, it would also be wise to consider replacing the pump itself.

Can you fix leakage?

Pool pump leakage has three types. The pump leakage occurs at the pump piping connections and the motor connection. When leakage is on the suction side, where the water comes into the pump, it is termed as air leak.

The leakage is termed as water leak when it is on the discharge side,  where the water is pushed out. Lastly, leakage can also occur when the electric motor attaches to the pump. This problem arises with the shaft seal.

Amongst the three, the most common type of leakage is where the motor attaches to the basket housing. A home owner with basic mechanical skills can fix a leaky pool pump by finding the source of the leak and obtaining a new gasket or O-ring based on the brand and model of the pump. If you are uncertain what to do though, give us a call and we are happy to help you to find and fix your leak.

When installing a new motor gasket or O-ring, the first thing we would do is shut off the inlet and outlet valves of the corresponding pipes of the pump and filter systems. This prevents water from flowing back during repairs. Then we remove the bolts and dislodge the motor from its housing to pull off the motor gasket or O-ring. We apply automotive grease onto the rim, align the replacement gasket to the freshly greased rim and press it into place. It makes sense to also apply more automotive grease to the end of the motor shaft before putting the motor back and re-attaching it to its basket housing.

Let’s test the functioning of the pump

Turn the pump on and let it run for few minutes. If a minor leak is still present then let’s shut off the pump and tighten the bolts. The Pipe Doctor will not leave your house until the problem is solved! If there is another source of leakage, we will find and fix it!

Give us a call before the season starts! 

call: 508-775-6670

email: cmurphy@plumberscapecod.com