Having a pool is all fun and games when it is sparkling clean, but the moment it becomes filthy and algae infested, it can be the bane of your existence. Pool problems typically crop up during the summer since this is when it gets the most usage. Therefore, it is vital to take your care and maintenance a notch higher to prevent inconveniences that will force you to shut your pool down.

Homeowners tend to focus on ensuring that the filter in is an excellent working condition as this component is responsible for eliminating grime from the pool. However, the pool pump is just equally important. If the pump if inoperable, water will not be circulating in your pool, which means the filter will not be capable of performing its duty either! So which rookie mistakes will shorten the life of your pool pump?

Neglecting the pump basket

When it comes to cleaning out the debris from pool components, people tend to have their pool filter at the top of their list and forget about other critical parts such as the pool pump. Your pool pump may not primarily function to clean out the water, but as it circulates this water, all the surface debris is directed into the pump basket so that it does not interfere with the functioning of the pump itself.

Therefore, it should be unsurprising that over time this basket will also require cleaning out as the dirt keeps accumulation. Failure to sanitise the pump basket periodically can pose a severe risk to the pump, as the flow of water is steadily impeded. Not to mention that the dirt will also eventually make its way into the filtration system and could cause unnecessary clogs.

Running the pump inconsistently

A seemingly harmless practice that pool owners develop over time is not paying attention to how long they have their pump running. Subsequently, you will find some people are guilty of running their pump for excessively long durations whereas others do not give the pump adequate time to perform its job. Both these practices will shorten the life of your pump for a couple of reasons.

Firstly, long durations of pumping can quickly cause overworking of the component and subsequently cause it to succumb to overheating. Short run times, on the other hand, means the water is not being circulated adequately and can translate into an increase of debris in the pool. It is advisable to come up with a set schedule with your pool contractors depending on the size of your pool and the volume of water to ensure optimal run cycles.