Pond pump problems & how to fix them.
Ponds, pondless waterfalls, and fountains are low-maintenance additions to any Oklahoma landscape. All needing a pump to operate and most running 24/7. Eventually, even the best equipment can have issues. Learn how to troubleshoot your pump to keep your water feature in tip-top shape. If you are having pump issues try these quick fixes to get things running smoothly in no time.
- Pond pump only operates some of the time.
Cause: You probably don’t have enough water in your pond or fountain.
Fix: “Just add water” sounds too good to be true, but sometimes that’s all you need to do. Keep in mind that pumps must be submerged in water in order to work properly. Low water levels can activate a pump’s thermal shut-off. Once the pump has cooled down, the shut-off will deactivate and the pump will start running again. Keep enough water in your system to avoid this on-again, off-again drama. This is one of our most common phone conversation. - Pond pump doesn’t run.
Cause: This can be caused by an interruption in the power supply. You might have a crummy electrical connection, a tripped breaker, or a blown fuse.
Fix: Make sure your electrical connections are working and have been installed and tested by a qualified electrician. Keep in mind that if you’re using long extension cords, you might experience a drop in voltage at the pump and a jump in the amps. This can heat up the pump and burn out the motor. - Pond pump pushes only a small amount of water.
Cause: You might have debris in your plumbing.
Fix: It’s time to clean. Disconnect the pump from the pipe. This will let the plumbing drain – and debris to flow out. Inspect the plumbing to make sure there’s no more gunk in there. When in doubt, give it a good rinse. - Pond pump hums but very little water is moving.
Cause: Debris might be stopping the impeller. Fix: Again with the debris! Unplug and remove the pump from the pond. Take a look at the pump to make sure there’s no gunk mucking up the impeller. Look for rocks or sticks that might be lodged around or above the impeller. Remove whatever junk you find.
While you have the pump out of the water, lay it on its side and plug it in. Make sure the impeller spins before you put it back in the pond. If it’s not spinning, use a screwdriver to give it a little push.
Professional Pond Pump Help
If you’re “done” with your pump, or if you don’t even want to deal with it, we can help. Continental Ponds is happy to troubleshoot your setup and help you prevent future issues. Contact us online or give us a call at 405-834-2291