| The average lifespan of a pond pump is two | | | | The fifth step to troubleshooting your pond pump |
| years and will cost you an average of $500. But, | | | | is checking the electrical source and its |
| of course this statistic does not help you if your | | | | connections. If the pump is not making any noise |
| pond pump has stopped working leaving your fish | | | | or vibrating it is good idea to check the power |
| gasping for breath. Perhaps you are gasping after | | | | source. Often after an electrical storm or heavy |
| seeing the cost of a new pump. Fortunately, most | | | | rain a GFIC outlet trips, turning the power off. |
| pumps that stop working can be fixed by a little | | | | Reset the breaker by pressing the button labeled |
| pond pump troubleshooting. | | | | "reset" on the outlet. GFCI's are very sensitive, |
| A pump can evidently stop working when it does | | | | but are important as they protect people from |
| not have enough water. Often waterfalls | | | | receiving a shock in case of an electrical |
| connected to ponds will reduce significantly in flow | | | | malfunction. |
| simply because a pump hidden in a skimmer area | | | | If the breaker continues to trip the pump usually |
| is not receiving enough water. Visually look at the | | | | has one of two problems. Often seals on bearing |
| pump and insure that the pump is completely | | | | pumps allow water to enter into the inner |
| submerged. Of course, this sounds basic. But the | | | | workings of the pump causing the pump to trip |
| number one reason for a pump failure is the lack | | | | the breaker. A simple slit in the cord due to traffic |
| of water. Often mats, nets and other such | | | | or weight on the cord can allow water to enter |
| barriers must be cleaned regularly to avoid build | | | | after the morning dew or a rain storm. |
| up of excess debris. | | | | If the impeller in the pump does not spin freely it |
| The next item to check is whether the pump | | | | can cause the breaker to trip, causing a power |
| itself is clogged. Mechanical skimmer boxes were | | | | surge. If this is the case. It is time to buy a new |
| developed primarily to house the pump and keep | | | | pump. There are no manufacturers that have built |
| it from clogging through the use of several | | | | pond pumps with repairs in mind. It is much more |
| barriers. Chances are if your pond pump is in the | | | | cost effective to replace the pump with one that |
| bottom of your pond it will clog on a regular basis | | | | carries a good warranty of 3 years or better |
| and will require attention often. Visually look into | | | | than to fix it. |
| the end of the pump and with the pump | | | | The value of a "good" pump is in its warranty. |
| unplugged spin the impeller and clean with a jet of | | | | Many bearing driven pumps used in ponds today |
| water from your hose. | | | | are nothing more than retrofitted sump pumps |
| Rarely do older ponds have vapor locks. | | | | used in basements. These are usually backed by a |
| However, it is still worth noting. Pond pumps are | | | | one year warranty. The challenge for pond pump |
| designed to pump water and not air. So if an air | | | | manufacturers face is to develop pumps to run |
| bubble gets trapped in the plumbing of the pond | | | | twenty four hours a day. The best pumps today |
| the pump can become vapor locked. In this | | | | are energy efficient, high flow magnetic pumps |
| instance, the pump impeller would be spinning but | | | | that come with easy exchange policy and last |
| no water would be coming out. A vapor lock can | | | | over 3 years. |
| be fixed by tilting the pump to allow air to escape. | | | | |