Pool pump repair: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What pool pump repair is

Pool pump repair fixes a pump that is loud, loses prime, leaks or will not start. The pump moves all the water through the filter and heater, so when it fails the pool clouds up quickly and the equipment behind it can be damaged.

Signs you need it

  • The pump makes a grinding, humming or rattling noise that was not there before
  • The pump loses prime, and the strainer basket stays empty or fills with air
  • Water drips or sprays from the pump lid, the shaft or the seal area at the motor end
  • The pump will not start, trips the breaker, or hums without turning
  • Flow at the returns drops, and the filter pressure gauge reads oddly

What the pro does

  • Check the strainer lid o-ring, the basket and the suction side for air leaks before opening the motor
  • Test the motor, the capacitor and the power supply at the pump
  • Open the pump and inspect the shaft seal, the diffuser and the impeller for wear or debris
  • Check the bearings and the motor shaft for play or heat damage
  • Replace the worn parts, such as the shaft seal, impeller, diffuser, capacitor or motor
  • Prime the pump, run it, and check for leaks and strong flow at the returns

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Pump size, horsepower and whether it is single speed or variable speed
  • Which part has failed, since a seal or an o-ring costs far less than a motor
  • Whether the motor, control board or variable speed drive can be repaired or must be replaced
  • Age of the pump and whether parts are still available for that model
  • Plumbing changes needed to fit a new pump to the existing unions and pipe
  • Access to the equipment pad, including tight enclosures
  • Electrical work needed to restore power, which often calls for a licensed electrician

What a written quote should spell out

  • The fault found and how the pro tested the motor, the seal and the suction side
  • Each part named, with its model number or part number
  • Whether the pump is repaired or replaced, and the reason for the choice
  • Plumbing changes, unions or adapters needed to fit a new pump
  • Any electrical work, listed as a separate line for the licensed trade doing it
  • Start-up test results, including prime, flow and noise after the repair

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Which part failed, and how did you confirm it?
  • Can the motor be rebuilt, or does it need to be replaced?
  • Will a new pump fit my existing plumbing, and what changes are needed?
  • Is the new pump single speed or variable speed, and what controls does it need?
  • Do you check the power supply and the breaker before you replace the motor?
  • Will you replace the strainer lid o-ring and the basket while you are in there?
  • What warranty covers the motor, the seal and the labor?

Red flags

  • They replace the whole pump without checking the seal, the o-ring and the suction side
  • They will not show you the worn parts they removed
  • They say the motor is dead without testing it or checking the capacitor
  • They run the pump dry to test it
  • They quote a larger pump than the plumbing and the pool need, without explaining why

What you can do yourself

A homeowner can clean the strainer basket, check the lid o-ring for cracks, and make sure the suction side is clear of leaves and debris. Do not open the motor, the pump housing or the wiring, and do not run a pump that is dry or making a grinding noise. Call a pro for any pump that will not start, leaks, trips the breaker or needs a part replaced.

Licenses and permits

Pump repair often involves electrical work at the motor and the power supply, which commonly requires a licensed electrician. Check with your state or local licensing agency to see which licenses apply to the pro you hire and to any electrical work.

Pool pump repair questions

Why does my pool pump keep losing prime?

Air usually gets into the suction side through a cracked strainer lid, a worn o-ring, a leaking union or a low water level in the pool. A pro can pressure test the suction side and find the leak before the pump is replaced.

Should I repair or replace an old pump?

The choice depends on the age of the pump, the part that failed, whether parts are still available and the condition of the motor. Ask the pro to explain the repair and replace options in writing, with the reason for each.

Why is my pump so loud?

A loud pump often has a bad bearing, debris in the impeller, a failing seal or a motor that is wearing out. Turn the pump off and call a pro, since the noise can point to damage that gets worse while the pump runs.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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