Your pool should be a place of peace and relaxation after a long work day or a fun gathering spot for family and friends on hot summer days. It should never be loud and obnoxious unless those enjoying it are the ones making all the noise.
If your noise problem is the pool filter, you should address it as soon as possible to ensure the reasons behind it don't worsen over time. However, it is best to figure out what is causing the issue before you panic.
The solution may be much easier a fix than you think. If not, there are some great experts in Canada who are ready and waiting to help.
The Top 5 Reasons Your Pool Pump Is So Loud
Like everything else in and outside of your home, pools require maintenance and repairs from time to time. Sometimes you won't notice an issue arising because there are no signs to search for.
Luckily, if there is a problem with your pump, it will often let you know by making some pretty noticeable sounds. If your pump is loud, vibrating, clanking, or buzzing, there are five main culprits to consider when looking for pump repair and identifying the noise issue.
Catching these issues as soon as possible can maximize the life of your pump, fix your pool pump problem, and be much more energy efficient.
1. Clogged Skimmer Basket
A clogged skimmer basket is typically the number one reason your pool pump is so loud. A basket can become clogged before any floating debris ever makes it to the pump, clogging it up and making it work harder to pull in water.
When this happens, the pump will get loud. In this case, remove the filter basket and empty it. Then place it back into its spot and see if that takes care of the pool pump noise. The most common items to clog the skimmer of a swimming pool include:
- Grass clippings
- Leaves
- Large bugs and insects
- Small pool toys or floats
An excellent way to ensure your skimmer basket doesn't get clogged is by ensuring the door flap in front of it is properly working. You should also vacuum your pool frequently and skim the top of it whenever you notice large debris floating around.
2. Clogged Filter
If the skimmer basket isn't the issue, your problem may go further into your filtration system, and the filter itself may be clogged. Small particles, debris, and algae can pass through the skimmer basket and get caught inside the filter.
To fix this, you must remove and clean the filter cartridge or replace it entirely. This will quickly quiet your noisy pump problem.
If it doesn't work right away or doesn't completely solve the problem, you might want to consider checking the pump impeller; this is the small fan that spins the water through the filter.
Sometimes items like hair, grass, and other debris will get stuck on the blades making it hard for them to do their job.
3. Uneven Pump Placement
If your pool pump base isn't on balanced soil, it will cause the filter to vibrate, which will cause the pump housing unit to vibrate as well, creating an obnoxious noise. Check to make sure the pump is on even ground.
Even if the ground was level when installed, the soil could have moved or settled since then and needs corrections. Adjusting your pool pump to ensure the pump housing unit is even can stop the loud noises in a matter of moments.
4. Air Bubbles or "Cavitation"
Your pump should only ever suck in water. While air may seem harmless in almost every situation, air bubbles pulled through a pool pump can cause serious and sometimes costly complications.
When the filter gets clogged, or your pool water levels get too low, air can get sucked into the pump, which causes the filter to "run dry," and cavitation occurs. A dry-running filter creates some pretty significant damage, mainly to the pump impeller.
The heat created when the pump runs dry will ruin the impeller, losing pieces and creating loud clangs or rattling sounds. In this situation, simply replace the impeller.
The steam produced by the dry-running pump can also produce enough heat to melt your liner, which isn't as easy or affordable to replace.
5. Faulty Pump Capacitor
The job of your pool capacitor is to get your pool pump to the correct speed and then hand the task over to another power source. This particular part of a pump is often compared to the battery on a car.
If the capacitor attached to the pump motor is faulty, the pump will begin to overheat, and you will notice a buzzing sound. Capacitors wear down, with many requiring replacements after starting up about 5000 times or roughly every ten years.
FAQs
What is the leading cause of loud pool filters?
Your pool pump can be loud for many reasons. However, the leading causes are typically the filter/filter basket, air bubbles, or faulty capacitors.
Should pool pumps make strange noises?
A healthy pool pump will make a low humming noise. Aside from that, you shouldn't hear any noises at all.
If you hear a loud humming noise or other sounds from your pump, you should have it looked at because there may be a pool pump problem.
Can you fix a pool pump on your own?
Pool pumps can have easy fixes, such as clogged filters or skimmer baskets. However, it is best to call the professionals if you have difficulty finding the reason for the sounds or if the job seems too difficult to tackle yourself.
Contact Pool Pump Professionals Today
Ignoring loud or uncommon noises coming from your pool's pump or other pool equipment will almost always lead to significant damage and costly repairs. Why risk losing precious time and money when we are just a simple phone call away?
If you believe your swimming pool pump is going bad or are just concerned about its loud or unusual noise, our experts are ready to help you find the best solutions. Contact us today to ensure you can continue to relax poolside tomorrow and many more days in the future.