How to prevent debris from getting into your water pump?
Unfortunately, water pumps can get clogged with dirt or debris, and that can cause the pump to stop working correctly. To keep your pump working at full capacity, you need to keep it free of dirt and debris. Let these tips help you.
- Make Sure Connections Are Tight
On a regular basis, you should check how hoses and other elements are connected to your pump. If those connections are crooked or not secure, debris can sneak in through the cracks. Occasionally, unscrew and reconnect these components or invest in new couplers or fittings as needed.
- Turn Off and Clean If Not Working Correctly
If your water pump is making strange noises or not pumping at the volume it should, you should turn it off. You don’t want to accidentally burn out the motor. Then, clean the pump and see if that fixes the issue.
- Know How to Take Apart Your Pump
To adequately clean your water pump, you need to know how to take it apart. Ideally, you should know how to remove the lid and take out the impeller. When debris sneaks into your pump, that can accumulate around the blades of the impeller and slow down the pump.
If you don’t have the owner’s manual for your pump, you may be able to get a copy from the manufacturer. Some companies post manuals for their water pumps online so you can get instructions on how to take it apart.
- Clean Filters
If your water pump has a filter, clean that on a regular basis. If the filter gets full of debris, the water trying to get through may eventually push some of the debris past the filter. That is a lot less likely to happen if your filters are clean.
Also, make sure to replace the filters if they have holes or aren’t working. Consider putting in a finer filter with smaller openings if you consistently are finding debris in your pump.
- Keep Sump Pump Holes Clean
In some cases, you may have a water pump that you use to remove water from your basement. This is called a sump pump, and it typically sits in a hole. If the hole is full of debris, that can get into your pump. Check this hole on a regular basis and scoop out dirt or debris as needed.