Why is my pool pump humming but not running?

A humming pump can have several causes, including a failed capacitor, a seized motor, a jammed impeller or another electrical or mechanical issue. The correct repair depends on what is actually preventing the motor or pump from starting.

Why are there air bubbles coming from my pool returns?

Air bubbles usually indicate air entering the suction side of the circulation system. Common causes include low water level, a leaking pump-lid seal, suction plumbing leaks, or leaking diverter valves and valve O-rings.

Can a leaking Jandy-style valve cause bubbles?

Yes. A worn diverter valve, valve lid or O-ring on the suction side can allow air into the system even when there is little or no visible water leak. That can create bubbles, noisy operation or loss of prime.

Why is my filter pressure high?

A dirty or restricted cartridge filter is a common cause, but high pressure can also result from a valve-position problem or another return-side restriction. We compare the reading with that pool's normal clean pressure and evaluate the whole circulation system.

Why is my pool pump losing prime?

Common causes include low water level, suction-side air leaks, pump-lid or O-ring problems, valve leaks, clogged suction lines or other circulation issues.

Should I repair or replace my old pump?

That depends on what failed, the condition of the equipment, repair cost, parts availability, energy use and expected remaining life. We explain both options when a repair is possible but replacement may make better long-term sense.

Do I have to replace my old single-speed pump with a variable-speed pump?

For many residential pool-pump applications, current federal efficiency standards mean that compliant replacement equipment is variable speed. The exact replacement depends on the existing pump, motor and application, so we verify the appropriate equipment rather than assuming every installation is identical.

Pool Pump, Filter & Equipment Repair

Pump not running? Air bubbles in the returns? Filter pressure climbing? Leak at the equipment pad? Turtle Pool Care diagnoses the problem and gives you straight advice on whether it makes sense to repair the equipment or replace it.

Request a Free Estimate Call 561-231-2221

Serving Wellington, Westlake, Loxahatchee & The Acreage, Royal Palm Beach, Greenacres, Avenir, The Club at Ibis.

Signs your pool equipment needs attention

Pump hums but will not start

Possible causes can include:

Failed capacitor
Seized motor
Jammed impeller
Electrical or control issue

Loud grinding, screeching or rattling

May indicate:

Motor-bearing problems
Debris in the pump
Mechanical wear
Other pump or motor issues

Air bubbles in the pool returns

Air bubbles at the returns or a pump that struggles to stay primed usually mean air is getting into the suction side of the system.

Low pool water level
Leaking pump-lid seal
Suction-side plumbing leak
Leaking valve lid or O-ring
Leaking diverter valve
Worn or leaking Jandy-style valve
Other suction-side fittings

Pump loses prime

Suction-side air leaks, low water level, blockages, pump seals or other circulation problems can all contribute to the pump losing prime.

Filter pressure is much higher than normal

Possible causes include:

Dirty cartridge filter
Clogged cartridges
Return-side restriction
Valve-position issue
Circulation restriction

Filter pressure unusually low

Possible causes may include:

Suction restriction
Pump losing prime
Clogged basket
Pump/impeller issue
Valve-position problem
Low water level

Weak flow from pool returns

Weak flow can have several causes, including the pump, cartridge filter, valves, suction restriction or a plumbing issue.

Water leaking at the equipment pad

Possible sources:

Pump seals
Unions
Valves
Plumbing fittings
Filter housing
Other equipment-pad connections

Pool light out, flickering or tripping protection

Lighting problems can involve the fixture, the transformer or control equipment, or the electrical protection. Diagnosis and repair should be handled appropriately rather than treated as a casual DIY electrical job.

Sometimes the first warning is the pressure gauge

Turtle Pool Care records the filter PSI and a photo of the pressure gauge during normal weekly service. That gives us a baseline for the individual pool and can help identify a change in filtration or circulation before the homeowner notices a larger problem.

Learn about Weekly Pool Service

Why are there air bubbles in my pool?

Air bubbles coming from the pool returns usually mean air is entering the circulation system somewhere on the suction side before the pump.

Low water level
Skimmer sucking air
Loose or leaking pump lid
Pump-lid O-ring
Suction plumbing leak
Valve lid or valve O-ring leak
Worn diverter valve
Jandy-style valve leaking air
Loose fitting before the pump

A suction-side leak can allow the pump to lose prime, reduce circulation and make the system noisy even when very little water is leaking out.

What we repair and install

Pumps and motors

Pump diagnosis
Motor problems
Pump replacement
Variable-speed pump upgrades
Seals and related pump components
Circulation issues

Cartridge filters

Filter diagnosis
Cartridge cleaning where appropriate
Filter-housing issues
Pressure problems
Damaged cartridges
Replacement filter cartridges

Valves and plumbing

Leaking diverter valves
Suction-side air leaks
Stuck or damaged valves
Valve lid and O-ring leaks
Equipment-pad plumbing leaks
Replumbing or correction of problematic equipment-pad plumbing where appropriate

Pool lighting

Lighting diagnosis
Replacement and upgrade work
LED pool-light upgrades where appropriate

Pool pumps, heaters, automation and salt systems

Pool pump repair

For pump-specific diagnosis, repair and replacement, including variable-speed upgrades, see Pool Pump Repair.

Heaters and heat pumps

For heater and heat-pump diagnosis, repair and replacement, see Heating & Cooling.

Pool automation

For automation installation, troubleshooting, repair and upgrades, see Pool Automation.

Salt systems

For saltwater diagnosis, inspection, replacement and installation, see Saltwater Systems.

Repair it or replace it?

Not every equipment problem needs new equipment. We look at what failed, the condition of the equipment, repair cost, parts availability, energy use and what you are likely to get from the repair before recommending replacement.

If a practical repair makes sense, we'll tell you. If the repair would put significant money into equipment that is near the end of its useful life, difficult to support or inefficient to operate, we'll explain the replacement options.

Actual failed component
Condition of the remaining equipment
Repair cost vs replacement cost
Parts availability
Age and supportability
Energy consumption
Likely remaining service life
Whether other components are also deteriorated

Replacing an older pool pump? Equipment rules have changed

Federal efficiency standards have changed the replacement equipment available for many residential pool pumps and motors.

For many standard-size pool-pump applications, replacing an older single-speed pump or motor now means moving to compliant variable-speed equipment rather than installing a comparable new single-speed replacement.

Variable-speed pumps can operate at lower speeds for normal circulation instead of running at full speed all day. That can significantly reduce energy use compared with an older single-speed pump while also allowing circulation to be matched more closely to the pool's needs.

High filter pressure doesn't always mean the pump is bad

Filter pressure is interpreted relative to that pool's normal clean pressure.

When the PSI rises significantly above the normal clean reading, the cartridge filter may be loading with debris and restricting flow.

A pressure problem can have other causes, including valve positions, plumbing restrictions or circulation problems, so we look at the whole system rather than replacing parts based on one number.

Equipment brands we install and service

Turtle Pool Care installs and services equipment from major pool-equipment manufacturers including Pentair, Hayward, Jandy, Thermeau and Intermatic.

Pentair
Hayward
Jandy
Thermeau
Intermatic

Turtle Pool Care is a Fluidra ServicePro.

Pool light problems

Light will not turn on
Flickering light
Intermittent operation
GFCI trips
Old fixture due for LED upgrade

Pool lighting combines water and electricity, so diagnosis and repair should be handled appropriately rather than treated as a casual DIY electrical job.