Pool pumps are essentially the heart of every pool. They filter dirt, debris and algae, and ensure only clean water gets back to the pool. Without a (well-functioning) pump, your pool water will probably turn green due to algae and plant growth or brown due to soil and dirt.
You may (understandably) choose to have a professional plumber install your pool pump, but it's more fun when you do it yourself. So here's our brief guide on how to install a pool pump.
Here are the tools you'll need when installing a pool pump:
- Pipe Wrench
- Pipe Cutters
- Screwdriver
- PTFE/Teflon tape
- Elbows for the pipes
- Primer
- Pool Heavy Glue
Step By Step Guide pool pump installation
Step 1: Do Some Prep Work
Before you start, you need to put some things in order to avert complications. The first crucial step is to turn off the power supply at the main switch. Secondly, build a shelter for the pump, to shield it from extreme weather conditions such as rain.
Be sure to include adequate ventilation to facilitate the flow of fresh, dry air at all times. This is especially important, as the pump will typically be having lots of moisture, chlorine, salt, and electricity, which, without fresh air, can react with each other leading to corrosion damage. You may also want to have your pump located at or near your pool's water level to ensure maximum efficiency.
Step 2: Attach the Pump to The Motor
The motor powers the pump, so the first step starts with connecting the two. This can be done using a screwdriver, and the nuts and bolts that come with the pump.
Step 3: Connect the Water Line to the Pump
The third step on installing a pool pump involves connecting its suction side (upper side) to the water coming from the pool. Here's where you will need the elbows, pool heavy glue and primer, depending on the diameter of both the water lint and suction pipes.
Clean the pool pipe using sandpaper and then a moist cloth to eliminate dust and let it dry for a few minutes.
Apply the pool heavy glue on the outer side of the pipe and the primer on the inner side of the pump's suction pipe, which is usually smaller in diameter. Immediately you do that, connect the two pipes together tightly, and hold for 30 seconds for the glue to harden.
Use the pipe-cutter to cut the pump suction pipe a few inches below the above-mentioned connection. At this point, attach the shut-off valve on the suction pipe to help regulate water flow in case of repairs or emergencies.
Thereafter, attach the elbow, preferably 1.5 inches in diameter, to the joint between the shut-off valve and the main suction pipe. The elbow restricts unnecessary expansion of the pipe when the temperatures are high.
Step 4: Connect Filter to the Discharge Pipe
Having done the inlet, the next course of action is to attach the pump to the outlet, (the discharge pipe). The same procedure in the above step also applies here. i.e., scrub and clean the pipe coming out of the pump, and apply the pool heavy glue to its outer side and coat it with the primer.
As said earlier, use unions to connect different pipes to not only give a nice look, but also allow for repairs and replacements in the future. On that note, generously apply the pool glue on the inner side of your union and firmly attach it to the pump's outlet pipe.
Clean the separate pipe heading to the pool and cover its outer side with glue and primer, then attach it to the union. Note that you need to do all the prep work before you start applying the glue to reduce the time the connections take.
A few inches under the union joint, cut the discharge pipe, fix a shut-off valve, then glue it all together.
Step 5: Test it out!
To see if your plumbing is on point, you need to put the pump to test. Put a basin under the pump's discharge line in the swimming pool then get some water in a jug, add some dirt and leaves to it, then pour it on the pump's strainer. You obviously can tell if your pump works well or not by looking at the water discharged on the basin.
Here is the deal...
A pool without a good pump is like a man without a heart - functionally dead. As such, it is essential for pool owners to know how to install a pool pump. This will not only save money, but also help in dealing with any emergencies on time.
Get started today!
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