Overheating Pool Pump?
Swimming pool pumps can suffer from various mechanical problems, but overheating problems can be some of the most challenging to fix. Prolonged overheating may damage your pool pump beyond repair, so if your pool pump is overheating, acting quickly to fix the problem is always important.
How Can You Tell if Your Pool Pump Is Overheating?
All pool pumps produce a significant amount of heat while functioning, and a pump that feels hot to the touch may function perfectly normally. However, your pump should not be so hot that you cannot hold your hand on it for a few seconds, and a pump too hot to touch is almost certainly suffering from overheating issues.
Fortunately, you don't have to risk a burn in this way if your pool pump is reasonably modern. The vast majority of modern pool pumps have safety cutoff switches and will automatically deactivate the pump if it overheats. If your pool pump frequently switches itself off after a few minutes of functioning, this usually indicates overheating issues.
What Causes Overheating In Pool Pumps?
Overheating problems in pool pumps can be from a number of underlying issues.
Motor Bearing Damage
The moving parts of a pool pump naturally create a lot of friction while the pump is active and have bearings to reduce friction and subsequent heat buildup. However, these bearings can become worn and damaged over time. They can also suffer from rust and corrosion, especially if the pump leaks.
If one or more of the bearings inside your pool pump is extensively worn or corroded, it may not be able to reduce friction effectively. This is one of the most common causes of pool pump overheating. Damaged bearings can also lead to increased noise generation, and you may notice that your pump emits an unusual squealing or rattling sound while it functions.
Insufficient Ventilation
Most pool pumps cannot rely on bearings alone to prevent excessive heat buildup and must go in a well-ventilated space to allow cooling airflow to reach the pump motor. If your pump is in a poorly ventilated space, such as a cramped closet or debris-filled trench, it may not receive enough airflow, causing persistent overheating problems.
Blocked Water Inflow
The pool water that flows through your pool pump is also important for preventing overheating, and a pool pump that does not receive enough water will rapidly start to overheat. Insufficient water flow frequently occurs when the pump's inflow filters clog with dirt and debris. It may also occur if the pipes that channel water to the pump are too narrow or were not installed correctly.
Blocked Water Outflow
For water to flow freely through your pool pump, it must also be able to expel water at an adequate rate. Blockages or installation issues in your pump's outflow pipes can force your pump to work harder to keep the water flowing, leading to increased friction and heat generation.
How Can You Stop Your Pool Pump From Overheating?
Many overheating problems in pool pumps occur because the pump doesn’t receive regular maintenance. If your overheating pump hasn't received service in a while, you may be able to fix the problem by cleaning or replacing its filters. You should also clear away any debris that accumulates around the pump housing, which can cause ventilation issues.
If you haven't done so already, you should also check the water level in the pool itself. If the pool water does not reach the inflow vents built into the walls of your pool, the pump will not receive enough water to prevent overheating. Topping up your pool's water supply can solve your problems quickly and easily.
However, if these simple measures do not fix the problem, or your pool pump was installed relatively recently, the pump may overheat because it was not installed correctly. At this point, you should call in a professional pool pump repair service to examine and, if necessary, reinstall the pump system.