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Spa Pump Guide
Guide For New Spa and Spa Pump Owners |
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1. Spa Pump Help Intro
2. Identifying Your Spa and Spa Pump Problems
3. Do You Need a New Spa Pump?
4. Choosing the Right Spa Pump For You
5. How to Install a New Spa Pump
1. Spa Pump Help Intro
If you’re reading this section, you’re probably experiencing a problem with your spa or
need help buying a new spa pump for the first time. Spa pumps are the most important
piece of equipment in your spa. Without the pump your spa would be a tub with water.
The spa pump not only delivers bubbles and powerful massaging streams of water to your tub,
but also aids in the circulation of the water through the spa filter, heater, and jets. If
you are experiencing a problem with your spa, it’s a good idea to point your finger at the
spa pump since it is a focal point in your spa’s mechanical system. In this help section, you
will find out if your spa needs a new pump or if you’re experiencing one of the many other
problems that may arise when owning a spa.
2. Identifying Your Spa and Spa Pump Problems
There are an infinite number of problems when dealing with spas and spa pumps; most of them
having to do with wear and tear. Below is a list of common problems and their solutions.
My spa pump is making noises. In this case your spa pump may be a victim of low or
no water flow. If that is the case then you will need to add more water to your spa. In a
little more serious case, your spa pump may have bad bearings, which is a common problem in
older pumps with leaky shaft seals. Replace the pumps bearings or shaft seal in the motor of
the spa pump. I recommend replacing the entire motor to avoid the cost of repair and constant
maintenance. See our SPA MOTORS page to get a great deal on a spa motor.
My spa pump is leaking water. Just like a leaky faucet, your spa pump may need its
worn O-rings replaced. This may also be caused by a damaged shaft seal or, in the easy-fix
case scenario, a loose plumbing fitting. These problems are relatively easy to fix, especially
the last mentioned. If you need more assistance, email us from our Customer Service page.
My spa pump motor turns on and off. This could result from a number of problems.
Some of the most common causes of this problem are overheating in the spa pump motor,
improper voltage supplied to the spa pump motor, and faulty connections in the electrical
connections. Check to make sure the spa pump is in a well-ventilated area and connected
to an outlet with the correct voltage.
3. Do You Need a New Spa Pump?
Check to see if you have any of the common problems above. If so, apply the quick fix. Most
problems with spas and spa pumps are caused by debris getting caught up where it’s not supposed
to be. Remember, the water that is spit out of the jets of the spas is the same water being
sucked out of the tub and run through the spa pump, leaf trap, impeller, filter, jets, and so on.
Dirty water can cause any of these to malfunction. The fix for that is to make sure you have
clean water flowing and maintaining those parts mentioned above, making sure they are clean
and clear of debris.
4. Choosing the Right Spa Pump For You
Spa pumps come in many different shapes and sizes. And we know, for a person who knows nothing
about spa pumps, buying a spa pump can be a nightmare. Follow these steps to Choosing the Right
Spa Pump and you’ll be on your way to becoming a spa pump expert. There are 5 criteria you
should take notice of when purchasing a spa pump:
1) Horsepower (motor) – The horsepower on your spa pump motor will determine
the action in your jets. The more horsepower you got in your motor, the more force you’ll
be feeling when relaxing in your spa. But before you go out and buy the spa pump motor with
the highest horsepower you should consider if your control and electrical system can handle
the new increased amount of power the new spa motor will draw.
When upgrading your motor to a higher horsepower, try not to increase your power by more
than 1. It’s a good idea to go from 1 HP to 2 HP, but not a good idea to go from 1 HP to 5 HP.
2) Spa Pump Speed (motor) – Most spa pumps come with 2 speeds, allowing you
at adjust the spas amount of water being shot at you. PoolEssentials.com offers you both 1 speed
and 2 speed pump motors for your spas.
3) Voltage (motor) – Take your pick at a 115V or 230V spa pump motor; they
only come with these two voltage options. Actually the determinant of this will be the
electrical outlet where you will be hooking up your spa. Determine your outlet voltage
and choose the corresponding spa pump motor voltage.
4) Center or Side Discharge (pump) – When choosing a spa pump you must
consider whether it is a center discharge or side discharge. Your spa pump that you intend
on replacing will look like one of the following. Take notice of the position of the
discharge component of the wet end. Purchase your new spa pump accordingly. The left is a side
discharge. The right is a center discharge.
5) PVC Pipe Sizing Part 1. (pump) – Follow this guide to determine whether your
spa uses 1.5” or 2” plumbing.
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1.5" nominal PVC pipe size will have a circumference (distance around) of just under 6
inches. The actual outside diameter (O.D.) of 1˝" PVC pipe will be about 1 7/8". |
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2" nominal pipe PVC size will have a circumference (distance around) of more than
7 inches. The actual outside diameter (O.D.) of 2" PVC pipe will be about 2 3/8". |
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6) PVC Pipe Sizing Part 2. (pump) - You can also use the images below to help you find what size plumbing you have: |
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5. How to Install a New Spa Pump
Installing a new spa pump is simple for people familiar with the spa anatomy. But like
most of us, we haven’t the slightest clue where to begin. The thought of installing one
of the most important components of your spa and the fear of breaking something in the
process sends shivers down your spine. If you believe that installing a spa pump is beyond
you, don’t hesitate to e-mail us for help.
For the brave souls who are willing to try installing the new spa pump, removing the old
spa pump is the first step to reaching the goal line. To do this we first want to look at
the way your spa is set up. A typical spa setup has a spa pump, control box and valves as
seen in the picture below.
Before we continue to the detachment of your old spa pump, make sure your spa is completely
disconnected from all electrical outlets. If your spa has valves that allow the removal of
your spa pump without draining, make sure those valves are closed. If your spa does not
have these valves, drain your spa before installation.
Now that you’re safe from electrocution and drowning yourself in a spa water wave, start
disconnecting your spa pump by unscrewing the unions at both ends of the pump. Once you
have those loosened, the pump is free and you may lift the pump out. You will want to
remove the cord of your old spa pump. This can be used for your new spa pump unless
you have purchased a new cord along with your pump. Cords come as an option when purchasing
a new spa pump from PoolEssentials.com.
As some of the smarter spa techs may have noticed, putting in your new spa pump is the
exact reverse process of removing the spa pump. If you have purchased the correct pump
all unions and spa pump components should fit perfectly into the old spa pump’s position.
All you need to do it screw everything back on and plug in your spa. If you had closed the
valves to prevent spa water from draining, reopen them and allow the water to flow into
your new pump.
If you need more help with spa pumps feel free to check out our other helpful pages: Waterway Spa Pumps, Vico Spa Pumps.
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