A pool pump motor serves as the heart of your pool filtration system as it keeps your pool from moving through the system.
After all, if the pool pump fails, your pool will become grimy, and the risk of having algae bloom will skyrocket. It is why it is essential to know if your pool pump motor is running correctly to avoid all of these issues.
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How long will a pool pump motor last? A pool pump motor usually lasts for about 8 to 10 years before it needs to be rebuilt or replaced. If you hear some noise, screeching front, and rear bearings, these are the signs that there is a need to do something.
If you wish to know if how long can a pool pump monitor lasts, continue to read this article. I will also be discussing the best time to replace your pump motor.
How Long Do Motors Last?
A pool pump is among the most integral parts of the pool filtration system, and when installed properly, it can last for 8 to 10 years.
This kind of longevity will depend on how it is properly installed and configured.
You will notice loud noises, screeching front and rear bearings as years gone by and this is a good sign that you need to do some repair or replacement.
Some people replace their entire pool pump when only the motor is bad. It is because the plastic part on the pool pump does not necessarily wear-out of fail.
It could last for the pool’s life with occasional replacement of the small parts like the skimmer basket, pump lid, O-rings, or drain plugs.
Meanwhile, rebuilding a motor is a replacement of the bearings and the seal of the shaft. It is a wiser direction if the motor is only a few years old.
A pool motor pump has bearings that are sealed and do not require a lot of lubrication and maintenance.
When it comes to different sizes of bearings and seals, several motors use different sizes.
Pump motors are built for continuous duty, but you will be able to prolong its life if they are shielded from weather and lots of moisture. One way to do that is to remove the pump during winter and put it in storage.
This way, you can prevent the rust that develops between the stator and rotor on pumps when it is left outside.
When To Replace A Pump Motor
If you are reading this article, there is a good chance that your pool pump is down. The anxiety is up, and any moment the algae bloom will start to rupture, and before you know it, your pool is infected.
There are two things to look out to figure out if your pump motor is down: sound and silence. Here are some few signs that your pool pump motor needs replacement:
Grind Or Screeching Noises
When it comes to the pool pump motor, it is easier to pinpoint some of the primary causes.
You will hear some grinding and screeching noises. It means that the motor’s bearing is getting worn down.
Suppose your pump sounds like an electrical motor and more like a jet, then your bearings are bad.
Regardless of the age of the motor, these bearings can rust or freeze from the water internally.
It usually is caused by some leaky shaft seal, flooding, or some sprinkler spray. Bearings are known to be the joints that help spin the shaft freely.
The good thing is bearings are easy to replace, and it is less expensive than getting a new one. If you are leaning on this route, you need to have a specialized bearing puller to remove the bearing.
As always, you can contact your local pool maintenance provider to help you with the replacement.
Humming Sound
Another sound to look out for is some humming. It is because of the defective capacitor that used to store electrical energy. The capacitor in the pump will overheat and can cause power surge.
This little barrel stores electrical discharge to be dispersed to either kick start or make sure your motor is running.
There are two types of capacitors, the first is run that is silver, and the other one is the start, which is brown.
Brown capacitors are caused by a surge in power or overheating. It is pretty easy to fix by a generic homeowner.
Clicking Sound
If you hear a clicking sound, it is more likely from the motor tripping the beaker. It means that internally there is already an electrical problem. Once your motor starts to trip the beaker, it is on its last legs.
When a motor is flipping the beaker, there will be a clicking sound related to a deeper electrical issue.
No Sound At All
Usually, a pool pump motor due to its action can create minimal sound from its movement. If the motor is receiving adequate power from its breaker but still not responding, it has an internal failure.
You need to check first your power source, and if that is fine, then no, your pump is not resting. It means that it is dead, and the silence is a sign that the internal workings of the motor failed.
For instance, the shaft has frozen, which means that a motor has reached a point beyond repair.
Conclusion
Overall, a pool motor pump usually can last for a while. It is a combination of proper installation and proper maintenance throughout the year.
It is easier to decide whether or not it is time to replace or repair your pump.
There are apparent circumstances that you will encounter to know if your pump needs a replacement or repair. For instance, you can check for loud noises, age, and malfunction.
There are some cases where it only needs a little bit of troubleshooting to fix some minor issues. As mentioned above, always consult with your pool maintenance provider to get the best deals out of them.
