When to replace pumps?

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mattamatt

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Apr 23, 2024
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Beechhurst, NY
Chlorine
Salt Water Generator
The pool guys couldn't get my pumps to prime and said they're old and need replacing. I was able to prime the filter pump after they left, but not the waterfall.

I just inherited this pool last year so I don't know how old they are, but they do look old.

How can I tell if/when the pumps need to be replaced? Are there any risks to running it till it dies?

Thanks!
Matt
 

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If the pump runs, lack of priming is more often a clogged impeller, suction side air leak, other plumbing problem on the suction side, or valve misset.

Pumps don't wear out where the motor runs but it does not prime.

Show us complete pictures of your equipment pad.

Check the impeller for clogs and debris either by reaching into the pump, with the CB off, or unbolting the volute to examine the impeller.

Do you have air bubbles in the pump basket or out the returns?

www.troublefreepool.com

Suction Side Air Leaks

If you see air bubbles coming out of the return lines in your pool, you likely have a leak. Some signs that a suction side plumbing leak has occurred include: Read more
www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com
 
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Hello,

It looks like my pumps need to be replaced - one won't prime, the other is very loud and disturbing my neighbors. Both are quite old. I've opened them up to see if there's anything obviously wrong but couldn't find anything.

The pool store quoted me $4k for 2 Hayward VSP 700 series, and another ~$1500 for labor. I'm sure I can find pumps for cheaper on my own but does the labor sound reasonable? I am not confident replacing them myself with zero electrical or plumbing experience

Thanks!
Matt
 
mattamatt said:
Hello,

It looks like my pumps need to be replaced - one won't prime, the other is very loud and disturbing my neighbors. Both are quite old. I've opened them up to see if there's anything obviously wrong but couldn't find anything.

The pool store quoted me $4k for 2 Hayward VSP 700 series, and another ~$1500 for labor. I'm sure I can find pumps for cheaper on my own but does the labor sound reasonable? I am not confident replacing them myself with zero electrical or plumbing experience

Thanks!
Matt
Click to expand...
The labor sounds very expensive. It would be helpful to post a photo of your current pumps and plumbing.
What type of pumps are they now? One flows to the filter. what does the other pump do?
The electrical is hooking up 3 wires. The plumbing may be a little more challenging depending on what needs to be altered to fit to the new pump.
 
What pumps do you have now? No one can tell you how much it should cost without that and pictures. If you stick with the same product line/brand sometimes the plumbing is minimal. Sometimes not. I just replaced a 20 year old Pentair Whisperflo with an Intelliflo and the suction was the same elevation so that made it really easy. To raise or lower the suction, I would have been digging a bit and replacing two expensive Jandy valves along with plumbing. On your new pumps, if they don't come with unions, insist they are installed at both ports of the pump. Mine were just threaded in with silicone.

That seems like a lot for both parts and labor. You can google that pump to see what it retails for. The electrical is just three wires like someone else said. The pool store is undoubtedly subbing out the pump install so there is going to be mark up. On top of that, you're paying a luxury tax of sorts for anything to do with a pool, same as Corvettes, SCUBA diving and golf. Try reaching out to some pool pros directly. Major brands will have a directory of pros for you to look up on their websites. A rule of thumb I've seen with pool pros is you can Dang near double the part price to get a total installed cost.
 
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mattamatt said:
The other one is for the waterfall

Here are photos of the pumps and equipment
Click to expand...
There are unions on each side of both pumps which makes it easier to remove but the key part is how does the new pump line up to the existing pipework. There is a very short run to the multi-port valve in front of the filter. Potentially need to redo all pipework from pump exit to the multi-port valve.

The waterfall pump is much easier because the exit plumbing can be easily adjusted.

It would take a little time for the main filter pump to plumb in a new pump but the waterfall pump will be much easier. If you are not comfortable doing plumbing then you need to pay for the services. Have you contacted a second pool service company to get a second quote?
 
I've talked to another company near me but they won't even service a pool they didn't build.

Another thought I had was to see if a family friend could do it, as he is both an electrician and plumber. However I don't think he has done much, if any, pool related plumbing. But perhaps that may not be essential...

As for the new pumps, any recommendations? Or should I go with what was suggested?
 

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mattamatt said:
As for the new pumps, any recommendations? Or should I go with what was suggested?
Click to expand...
I am not familar with the Haywood pump products. I tried to look at their website but couldn’t find a “700” series pump.
If we can get the exact model, then the data sheet would have the dimensions from the ground to the centerline of the pump suction and then you can measure what is existing. That would tell us if any of the suction pipes would need to be adjusted.

mattamatt said:
Another thought I had was to see if a family friend could do it, as he is both an electrician and plumber. However I don't think he has done much, if any, pool related plumbing. But perhaps that may not be essential...
Click to expand...
I think he could do it if experienced with PVC - it is not that difficult. The key will be cutting the existing PVC pipe such that you can join back onto it in front of the multi-port valve. (mainly the pipework from the pump to the multi-port valve).
 
HermanTX said:
I am not familar with the Haywood pump products. I tried to look at their website but couldn’t find a “700” series pump.
If we can get the exact model, then the data sheet would have the dimensions from the ground to the centerline of the pump suction and then you can measure what is existing. That would tell us if any of the suction pipes would need to be adjusted.
Click to expand...
All they said in the quote was "Hayward Super Pump Variable Speed (700 Series)". I'm assuming it's this or similar.
I'm not married to Hayward though, so any other suggestions would be appreciated! Especially if they're more affordable
 
mattamatt said:
All they said in the quote was "Hayward Super Pump Variable Speed (700 Series)". I'm assuming it's this or similar.
I'm not married to Hayward though, so any other suggestions would be appreciated! Especially if they're more affordable
Click to expand...
Thanks. I could not locate it. The centerline of pump suction intake to ground is 7.75”. Measure existing pump and that will determine what needs to be done to drop in the new pump.
IMG_0657.png
 
I need to replace my pumps soon (one for the filter, one for the waterfall).
I know next to nothing about the pump market so I'm looking for any recommendations that won't break the bank. Attached is what I currently have

Thanks!
Matt

edit: I made a new post asking for recommendations since this one was originally for asking when to replace them. But the posts got merged
 

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You must be clear if you intend to DIY the install and make any PVC adjustments. There is no point in recommending pumps to you if you cannot install it.

If you need to have a Pool Service install the pumps then you end up paying their prices.

Pump Basics - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com

PVC Repair - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com
 
Lots of folks are happy with the B+D VS pumps...

Variable Speed Pumps | Energy-Saving CircuPool Pumps

www.circupool.com www.circupool.com

My concern is how it will fit in your pump's space. Your filter pump is shoehorned under the MPV pipes, and VS pumps have a control panel on the back of the motor. The pipes may restrict access to the pump control panel.

You should review the pump you will get with your installer and ensure he knows how to place it.

Calimar/Circupool/BD/Blue Torrent Pump - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com
 
It looks like there should be enough room behind the pumps.

Is more HP strictly better? Do I need the same for both pumps?
I'm looking into the B+D and found this which seems too good to be true. Am I missing something? It's over $1000 on Amazon.

edit: looks like that's not their real site. But they don't have pumps on their real site
 

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mattamatt said:
Is more HP strictly better?
Click to expand...
A higher HP VS pump allows you to run it at a lower speed for a given flow. The pump uses less electricity and is quieter.

Modern VS pumps are run low and slow to provide whatever flow is needed for filtering, skimming, cleaning, or heating the pool.

mattamatt said:
Do I need the same for both pumps?
Click to expand...
Probably not.

A VS pump is a variable HP pump. You adjust the speed and HP to whatever is needed.
 

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