The pump is the heart of the pool system. It pulls water from the pool through the main drains and skimmers and then circulates it through the filtration system, heater (if applicable) and chemical treatment before pushing it back into the pool through the return jets.
Based on regular use, a pool pump can last on average 10-12 years, however, there are a number of factors that affect its lifespan. By having scheduled pool pump maintenance, you can reduce the likelihood of needing a pool pump repaired or replaced.
Throughout a pump’s lifetime, small parts such as screws, sealants, and O-rings will break down and need replacement. This is normal as the pump ages. It is important to replace these components when required as these are relatively routine jobs. For Pool Owners that want to get the most out of their pool pumps, performing routine repairs/replacements as they come along such as these is the best method. It’s much more affordable than replacing the pump entirely.
In addition to these routine repairs/replacements, there may come a point in a pump’s lifetime where the motor may be required to be replaced. This may be the case when one or more of the following sounds are heard while the pump is running: grinding or screeching noises (worn-down motor bearings, humming (defective capacitor), clicking (internal electrical problem) or silence when turned on (motor failure).
Whether your pump is making loud grinding noises or delivering low water flow, our technicians will troubleshoot the problem and take the necessary remedial measures.
There comes a time where it is more cost-effective in the long run to completely replace a pool pump than repair it. If a pump or its parts are discontinued, it is time for a new pump. It would be insufficient to invest in repairing a pump only to find out that the parts required for the repair no longer exist. If the pump is older than 12-15 years old, then it is time for a new pump. By this time there are more efficient pumps on the market that will save pool owners money in the long run.
Riverside Pool and Spa technicians have run a number of pool pump replacements. We recommend and work only with high-quality pool pump models that provide energy efficiency value for money over the long term.
Riverside Pool and Spa will carefully consider your needs and requirements and help you make the best equipment choice.
A crucial component in pump selection is pump size. An undersized pump struggles to properly circulate the pool water and needs to run much longer than normal causing an abnormal amount of stress on the pump. This drastically reduces the pump’s lifespan. The stronger the pump, the easier it circulates the water through the system with a reduced amount of stress on the pump.
How often pool owners run their pump has a direct effect on its lifespan. The more the pump runs, the more wear it experiences. In addition, the type of pump plays a role as well. Pool owners use one of three types of pool pumps.
Single-speed pool pumps are the industry’s workhorse units. They have been around for decades and deliver proven performance and reliability and are the most affordable option of the three types of pool pumps. Their one flaw is that they only run at one constant speed meaning a significant cost in energy while running.
These come with full-speed and half-speed configurations. The half-speed setting consumes less energy resulting in energy savings for pool owners. Two-speed pumps are a good option for pool owners who are not quite ready to purchase a variable-speed pump but want more than a single-speed pump can offer in terms of energy savings.
This kind of pump comes with various speed settings that can be ‘dialed in’ to suit the needs of your facility. Often, variable speed units deliver the ultimate energy savings, pool efficiency, and long-term value.
