3 Tips for Troubleshooting Problems With Submersible Water Pumps

17 September 2019
 Categories: Construction & Contractors, Blog

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A submersible water pump is manufactured in a manner that makes it suitable for immersion into the water for pumping. Unlike other pump types, the submersible pump is superior because it is less susceptible to pump cavitation. Cavitation refers to the formation of air bubbles in the pump, which lowers the pumping capacity and leads to damage. Several types of submersible pumps in the market are designed for application in unique settings, including water wells and bores. Here are tips for troubleshooting problems with submersible water pumps. The information could be helpful to homeowners that have installed such pumps in bores and wells. 

Excessive Noise 

The common reason why pumps cause excessive noise is because of the cavitation issue. The water being pumped might cause the device to react to air bubbles. Such sound should cause concern because it means the efficiency of the pump is declining steadily. The characteristics of the water being pumped can also cause cavitation. Therefore, a technician should check for a mismatch between the pump and the water attribute. Reducing cavitation calls for an adjustment to the pump, which compensates for viscosity.

Overheating

Sometimes the motor of a submersible pump can overheat because of reasons such as overloading, high or low voltage, high water temperature and improper installation, among other issues. Overloading occurs because of a poorly sized pump fitted to the motor or due to misalignments. Furthermore, when foreign bodies in the water penetrate the pump, you are likely to experience overloading. Therefore, select the right motor size for the submersible pump based on the application. Overall, motor overheating is often a symptom of other issues. An expert should investigate and find out the real cause of the overheating to prevent motor failures, higher maintenance costs, repeated repairs and extended downtimes. 

Insufficient Water Flow

In some instances, inadequate water passes through a pump because of several reasons. The check valve of the pump might be the reason for this problem. For example, the valve might be installed incorrectly or fail altogether. Besides, the problem might be caused by air suction. In some cases, impurities trapped in the impeller can contribute to the slow flow of water through the system. An inspection of the pump can help a professional to narrow down to the real cause. Furthermore, proper placement of the pump is vital for optimal performance. Notably, reduced water flow could be caused by the lift specifications being too high compared to the submersible pump. Alternatively, the pump might not be fully submerged. 

Contact a technician who performs water pump repairs for more information.