It is important for you to learn how to troubleshoot some of the problems that may afflict your water pump. That knowledge may help you to avoid disruptions in pump service as you wait for technical help to arrive. You may also reduce the amount of money that you spend on service calls. This article discusses how you can fix some of the common problems that your water pump may develop.

Grinding Noises

Your water pump may emit a grinding noise as it operates. Such a noise may be caused by cavitation (compression of air within the pump). You can stop this grinding noise by making sure that the strainer of the pump is unclogged. You can also place the strainer inside a bucket so that the accumulation of debris is reduced. Make sure that you submerge that bucket in the water. The grinding noise may also result from a suction hose that is too long. Such a hose is likely to trap air that will result in cavitation. Reduce the suction hose's length to the shortest possible length.  

Low Discharge Capacity

You may notice that the water coming from the pump is flowing at a very low pressure. This problem may be caused by several factors. First, the discharge hose may be so long that the pump is unable to keep the discharged water pressurised to the desired level. Secondly, the discharge hose may be having a very small diameter. The impeller of your pump may also be worn out. Address the specific problem that could be causing the drop in discharge pressure. For instance, use a shorter discharge hose in case you had selected a very long one. Replace the pump impeller in case you inspect it and find that it was cracked or bent by cavitation.

Leaking Water Between the Engine and Pump Case

There should never be any water leaking between the engine and the pump case. Any leakage that you see in that area is an indicator of a damaged mechanical seal. This problem is usually caused when you run the pump dry. It can also result from allowing abrasive liquids, such as detergents, to run through the pump. This problem can be fixed by replacing the worn seal with a new one.

As you can see, some water pump problems can be fixed without calling an expert. Use the suggestions above to reduce how often you call service technicians to fix your pump. You should also follow the troubleshooting instructions given by the manufacturer of your pump to boost your ability to detect problems with your pump.

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