Nothing lasts forever.  Eventually your Orange County pool equipment will need more than just regular maintenance.  Deciding on a pool equipment repair or a pool equipment replacement doesn’t have to be tricky.  To help you decide, we will focus the next few posts on the types of problems you can have with the major components of your pool sanitizing, heating, and circulating systems and how to determine if it makes sense to pay for a pool equipment repair or should you just replace the equipment.  Fist let’s look at the pump.

Pool Pump Problems

Your pool pump is critical to keeping your pool water circulating so it can be properly sanitized and heated.  Your pool pump is made up of two components that work together to move water:  the motor and the pump.

Pool Pump Motor. This is the workhorse.  The electric motor on the “dry” end of your pump.  It provides the energy necessary to power the “wet” end of your pump where the water is actually moved.  Symptoms of problems with the motor include:

• failure to start up
• smoking
• making loud noises or screeching sounds
• overheating

If your pump has any of these symptoms call Beachside Pool Service for an estimate on repair or replacement.

Pool Pump.  The “wet” end of the pool pump is connected to the “dry” end by a seal.  The wet end of the pump is where the motor converts energy to water movement.  It has an impeller, diffuser, basket, gasket, and seals.  Symptoms of problems with the pump end include:

• leaking
• water not circulating

Most problems on the wet end can be traced to a clogged impeller or a leaking gasket or seal.   If you see leaking or the pump turns on but water doesn’t circulate, call Beachside Pool Service if you are in Orange County.  You can get a free estimate on repair or replacement.

Pool Pump Repair or Replace?

OK, so you know the problem is with the pool pump or the pump motor.  So how do you know if it is time to pay for repair or replacement?

Pool Equipment Repair – The Pump

So, if your pump motor or pump is less than 5 years old, this is almost a no-brainer.

 

Pool pump motors and pumps should last at least 10 years.  If your pump is 5 years old, get it repaired!

If the cost of the parts for repair is minimal, go ahead and have the pump repaired.  Beachside Pool Service can give you a complete breakdown on parts and labor.

The final factor is the cost of plumbing.  A new pool pump may require extensive plumbing if it doesn’t match up with existing plumbing.  If extensive plumbing is necessary and the pump is only 6 years old, it might make more sense to have the pump repaired.

Pool Equipment Replace – The Pump

So, when does it make sense to go ahead and replace the pool pump motor or pump?  Are cost and age the only factors to consider?

If the pump motor is less than 5 years old and it is a one or two speed pump, it might make sense to replace it with a variable speed pump.  Once speed pumps are no longer allowed under California law; and a variable speed pump can save you money in energy costs over a two speed pump.  The energy savings can make up for the cost of the new pump quickly.

If your pump is not properly sized, it makes sense to replace it with a properly sized pool pump.  If your pump is undersized, it must work longer than designed just to keep the water circulating, clean, and warmed.  Repairing an undersized pump will just result in further repairs.  If the pump is oversized, you are using more energy than necessary.  It might make sense to replace it with a properly sized pump.

If the pump is more than 5 years old, consider the cost of future repairs against the cost of the replacement.

Start with a Free Quote

To get all the information you need to make your decision, call Beachside Pool Service at (949) 939-0023.  Your pool pump problem will be expertly diagnosed and a cost for repairs provided.  You can trust Beachside Pool Service to recommend the best option.  Whether it is a pool equipment repair, replacement, or just regular pool service Beachside Pool Service are the experts.  Pools, spas, fountains, and water features: if it has a pump and water, Beachside can service or repair it.