Pool Pump Not Working? What to Check Before You Call

A pool pump that stops working usually has one of four problems: no power, a clog that starves it of water, an air leak that stops it priming, or a failed motor part such as a capacitor or bearing. Check the power and the baskets first. They're quick, and they solve a lot of calls. Anything inside the motor is a job for a pool repair company.

In a Phoenix summer the pump often runs many hours a day, so a pump that quits in July can turn a clear pool cloudy within days. Here's the order to work in.

Check the power and the timer

Look at the breaker for the pool equipment and at the timer or automation panel. A tripped breaker, a timer knocked out of schedule after a power outage, or an automation system stuck in service mode will all look like a dead pump. If the breaker trips again as soon as you reset it, stop. Leave it off and call someone. A breaker that keeps tripping points to a wiring or motor fault, and resetting it over and over can make it worse.

Empty the baskets

Turn the pump off first. Empty the skimmer basket and the pump basket at the front of the pump. Monsoon dust, palo verde blossoms and leaves pack these quickly, and a full basket starves the pump of water. A pump that runs without enough water can overheat and damage its seal.

Look for air in the pump basket

With the pump running, look through the lid of the pump basket. A basket that never fills with water, or that shows a steady stream of bubbles, means the pump is pulling air. Common causes are a low water level below the skimmer opening, a cracked or dry lid O-ring, or a loose fitting on the suction side. Topping up the pool and checking the lid O-ring are fine for a homeowner to do. Leaks in buried plumbing are not.

Signs the motor needs a pro

• The motor hums but the shaft doesn't spin. Often a failed start capacitor. It sits next to live wiring, so leave it to a pro.
• A loud grinding or screeching noise, which usually means worn bearings.
• Water dripping from under the motor, which usually means a failed shaft seal.
• The motor is too hot to touch or shuts itself off after a few minutes.

A pool repair company can tell you whether the motor, the seal or the whole pump should be replaced. If your pump is old, ask about a variable-speed pump. They cost more up front but use less power over a long Arizona season.

When to call

If the power and baskets check out and the pump still won't run or prime, it's time to call a pool repair company. Our city pages list local companies by Google rating: Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler, Tempe, Glendale and Peoria.