How to use your senses to detect faulty pool equipment

Sight

As demand for low-chlorine pool sanitisers grows, more and more pool owners are turning to salt water chlorinators to maintain water clarity without the harsh chemical side effects. And a clear sign that your pool pump is leaking is if you see a build-up of calcium under your pump.

"If your pump is leaking, the first sign will be the water coming from the pump and/or a calcium build-up under the pump where the wet end (water side of the pump with a lid) meets the motor. If this is unattended, the water ingress will progress to noise because the water goes from the seal into the bearing and, once that happens, it progresses further into the windings," says Swimart State Franchise Manager Bruce Everett.

"What happens is that the calcium develops on the seal as the pump stops and starts. The calcium then damages the seal causing grooves, and these grooves allow water to leak through into the bearings, motor, and windings.

"If you don't act quickly enough and replace the seal, the motor will eventually be damaged and the pump will need to be replaced.”

Sound

Nobody likes a loud swimming pool pump – least of all your neighbours – but it could cause more than a few headaches for everyone. Is the noise coming from the motor or the wet end of the pump? Does it sound noisier than normal or is there a screeching sound?

If it’s the former then the pump might be vibrating on the concrete pad it’s sitting on while the high pitched, screeching sound could indicate an issue with the motor.

"The sound of a noisy pump often means that the bearings are going,” says Bruce. “These are high wear and tear parts within the motor and, although they are relatively cheap to replace, if left unattended they can result in the pump requiring replacement.

“It’s important to note that early detection is the key.”

Smartphones aren't just for selfies!

If you don't feel comfortable unscrewing your leaky pool pump and taking it to your nearest Swimart store, simply take a few photos of it – zooming in close to where you see a crack or calcium build-up – and email them for further evaluation instead.

To make your life easier, Swimart repairs and services a vast range of pool equipment brands and models, and our trained technicians can do most of these in-store. We can even come to you if that is more convenient. Call us on 1300 991 104 to find out more.