My Swimming Pool Pump Isn't Pumping Water That Fast

Clean Filter

• Look at the pressure gauge on your pool's filter while it's running. The pressure gauge measures the internal pressure of the pool filter and signifies when it needs to be cleaned out. Backwash your sand or diatomaceous earth filter when the pressure rises 8 to 10 pounds per square inch (psi) above its normal operating pressure. The buildup of dirt and debris causes reduced circulation in the filter by preventing proper water flow.

Water Height

• Maintain a water level that will help optimize the pump's performance. Pool water should be maintained somewhere between the halfway and two-thirds marks for the skimmer opening's vertical height. Many pool skimmer openings have marking lines for your reference. A low water level can damage your filter and lead to slow or non-existent pump circulation. Pool filters are designed to suck in water, not air. If an uneven amount of water is being sucked into the filter, the circulation will not be consistent.

Baskets

• Clean out the skimmer basket regularly, especially after a storm or if your pool sits beneath a tree with falling leaves. This situation can create a thin layer on blockage in the skimmer basket as the leaves begin to collect inside the skimmer. As the skimmer performs its job, preventing large pieces of debris from entering the filter system, this will block water flow and lead to poor circulation. Clean the pump basket as well. This is located on the other end of the hose that connects to the pool skimmer. Open this basket and clean it out as this is where the debris from vacuuming is collected.

Pump

• The worst case scenario, if the above troubleshooting steps don't work, is that the pool pump motor is faulty. The motor is responsible for providing the suction power to the filter in order to circulate the thousands of gallons of water needed to keep the pool free of dirt and debris. The sign of a troubled motor is slow circulation, indicating that the unit is struggling and may be approaching the end of its usable life. The cost for a new motor depends on the horsepower. A larger filter and pool require a more powerful motor.