What You Should Know About Submersible Pump Repair

Submersible pumps, like any other type of mechanical equipment, need ongoing maintenance to stay in good condition and to produce lasting, reliable results over their designated lifespan. These pumps operate in difficult conditions, being submerged directly into liquid like water, storm water or sewage, which means it is possible they will experience wear and tear or breakdowns that necessitate submersible pump repairs in Missouri.

Here’s a quick overview of some of the most common problems that occur with submersible pumps, and some quick fixes you may be able to try before calling out a professional.

Motor not starting

If your motor isn’t starting at all, your very first step should make sure there’s actually power to the unit. Check for a tripped circuit breaker or blown fuse. If the problem happens intermittently, it could be a result of corroded fuse receptacles. You can also check the voltage at the pressure switch contact points—if there is debris or corrosion, this could be the source of the problem. Finally, see if anything is obstructing the pump, such as sand. Clear away any debris and see if that resolves the problem.

Lack of water

You need to have a certain amount of water running through the pump system for it to operate. If you have a lack of water, it could be a failure in the check valve, or improper check valve installation. If not, the pump may be air bound, in which case you may just need to change the positioning of the pump. It’s possible your pump isn’t fully submerged, or that you have too high of a lift requirement.

Continuously running motor

The opposite problem of a motor not starting is a motor that never stops. This could be indicative of a leak in your system, which will result in a need to replace leaking or damaged pipes and checking the water level. You may also have a faulty pressure switch, causing the motor to either cycle too quickly or to stay on. Finally, the issue could be that the pump screen is blocked or the check valve is stuck, so inspect both of those parts as well.

Tripping overload protector

Overload protectors can be a bit fussy. If they’re located in direct sunlight, that may cause enough extra heat that makes them trip, so put the box in the shade instead. You might also have incorrect voltage, especially if the protector is using temporary power.

Lots of noise

A little bit of noise coming from a submersible pump is normal, but if that noise becomes excessive, you should perform a couple simple inspections. First, check all the valves running in line to the pump. Something might have changed in those valve settings, causing the flow to change and dropping the head pressure. The issue may also be cavitation, or bubbles being formed in the water that’s moving and causing a loss of efficiency. Check the driver and pump alignment, or adjust the pump as needed to adjust for any conditions in the water that may cause cavitation.

For more information about submersible pump repair in Missouri, contact Enviro-Line Co., Inc. today.

Categorised in: Submersible Pumps