Pool Pump Noise Reduction: How to Quiet a Noisy Pool Pump
Do you like enjoying a swim on these hot, hot days?
But is your noisy pool pump making humming noises and ruining your relaxation and pleasure?
If you didn’t wonder how loud is pool equipment before getting your own pool – chances are you are asking yourself the same question this moment.
But, is there a way to stop this ruckus from ruining your nice afternoon swim?
Or is your pool pump that loud that it is ruining not only your afternoon relaxation swimming but your naps as well?
And be sure that you are not the only one that is disturbed by the sound of it.
It’s mostly the pool filter noise you’re hearing – but no matter where it’s coming from, we agree that it’s not really pleasant.
Your neighbors can’t wait for the summer to be over, and for their peace to be restored.
That is not a solution, though.
The next summer will come, and why else do you have a pool in your backyard, if not to use it to the fullest.
If this problem is familiar to you, then I just might have a few tricks in my sleeve – no matter how loud is your pool pump or filter sound.
How to Quiet a Noisy Pool Pump
Since no one likes to be bathing in dirty water, pool pumps are an essential part of every pool.
A pump's function is to pump the water from the pool through the filter, where the water gets purified from any unwanted debris and germs, and then pumped back into the pool as clean and safe to take a swim in.
An important thing to have in mind is that the working pump can never be one hundred percent quiet, but if it is working properly, the noises it makes should disturb neither you nor the neighbors.
A properly working pump can even have a soothing effect. At least it does so for me.
Sometimes, when I close my eyes and float on the water, I imagine that I am on an ocean and that the waves are crashing around me.
Simply put, if your pool pump gets too loud, that you can’t even stand to use your pool, here are a few simple things that you can do to try and make it enjoyable again.
1. Reduce the Vibrations of your Pool Pump’s Motor
If your pump is too noisy, the vibrations are the first thing that you should give a thought.
Even though it doesn’t sound like a serious problem, vibrations can play a major role in making the noise.
And if you the noise pool pump is your problem – you should check for vibrations first as this might reduce the noise drastically.
Never underestimate the power of vibrations.
I told you a story about a deaf girl who sings so beautifully thanks to the vibrations coming from the floor a while ago.
These are powerful, keep that in mind.
At the base of your pump there are some bolts that can get loose sometimes, and when the pump is working, they may make some ruckus.
That is very unpleasant for an ear.
Luckily, this problem can be solved easily.
What you will have to do is turn off the motor of the pump, and tighten the bolts. As simple as that!
However, sometimes this will not solve the problem entirely, so you would have to do some other adjustments to make it work.
Completely remove the bolts, and then put some durable and soft material between the pump and the concrete.
This soft material is meant to reduce the vibrations by a lot.
My suggestion would be to use some rubber pads as the vibration insulator on the pump.
Once you have placed it, screw the bolts back on and secure the pump.
2. Clean the Skimmer Basket Regularly
Skimmer baskets are there to collect the objects that are unwanted in the clean water you swim in.
They usually collect things like leaves and similar.
When a lot of “trash” gets caught into skim baskets, the clogs happen and the pump cannot receive enough water.
For that reason, it makes more noise. It is practically “crying” to get her “food”- water.
It would be the best if you can clean the baskets approximately once per week.
However, if you empty the skimmer basket and you notice improvements – it’s highly recommended to empty it more than twice a week to improve the noise level of a pool filter.
Of course, if some objects get stuck in the baskets, try your best to take them out, since these clogs can play a significant part in making noise.
3. Try Raising the Level of Water in the Pool
Similarly to the clogs in the skimmer baskets when the pump is not getting enough water, it can be all the same when there is not enough water in your pool.
If the pump motor is not getting enough water, it can start overheating, which is not at all good for its life.
In other words, you should pay good attention to the level of water in your pool.
If it is not reaching the openings on the baskets, try to raise the level of water in the pool, to prevent the overheating, and make the life of the pump as long as possible.
4. Keep Your Pool Pump Basket Clean
Noise from your pool pump can also be caused by the debris, leaves, etc., that get stuck in the pump basket.
This is another thing that you should clean regularly.
Please, be careful when cleaning it.
The first and most important thing that you will have to do before you start cleaning the pump is to turn off the pump.
Only when you are sure that it is off you can take off the lid of the basket and start cleaning.
Take out the basket, and clean it from all the unwanted clog and debris.
When you have taken out all of the dirt that is possibly making the noise problem and cleaned the basket thoroughly, you can put it back, fill the pump with water, and place the lid on its place.
Once you have done so, you can turn the pump back on again, and let the air flow out of the filter.
5. Keep Your Impeller Clean
Since I mentioned that leaves can be caught in so many important parts of the pool pump and make the noise problems, let me tell you that they can be caught in motors’ impellers as well.
Once again, the flow of the water will not be as it is supposed to be to keep the life of your pump long and healthy, so some unwanted and unpleasant noises might occur.
Now what you would want to do now is turn the motor off. Safety first; always remember that!
Then use some kind of a hook to clean the debris that is stuck in the pump’s impeller.
This short video might help you with cleaning the impeller:
6. Replace the Bearings on the Pool Pump Motor
If you are still reading, and the problem is not solved yet, that there is something a little bit more serious that can be the problem.
It is possible that the motor bearings area failed, and that you will have to replace them.
Noisy pump might seem like a problem, but the actually problem may lay in the bearings.
This is often overlooked and no matter what type of DIY pool pump noise reduction you try out – it might not solve the issue.
Now, you can either have a professional replace them, which I would highly recommend, since it can be tricky to replace the bearings if you have never done it before, or you can try to replace them on your own.
If you use the wrong bearing, or if you accidentally place them incorrectly, this could do some serious and maybe even permanent faults and damage to the motor itself.
Another problem is that the bolts are probably corroded on the older pumps.
And other similar problems like tight impellers might occur too.
In any way, if you are willing to give it a try after all, here is a nice video tutorial on how to change bearings on the pool pump motor.
7. Replace the Whole Pool Pump
If after everything you have tried the problem is still there, there would be nothing more than to change the pump.
Of course, if your pump is fairly new, then it would be the better to have a professional give a look at it.
But if your pump has had a long and good life of serving your family, and your peace while taking a nice and refreshing swim, then it might be all the better to change it.
The repairing would probably cost you a lot of time and money, so I have given a look at some nice new pumps that might serve you well:
- Hayward 1 HP MaxFlo Standard Efficient Pump
- Blue Wave Tidal Wave Replacement Pump
- Pentair SuperFlo VS Pump
Click here for more in-depth reviews of the quietest pool pumps available on the market.
On Pool Pump Noise Reduction
These were some of the simplest and most important of steps that you should take to make your pool pump sound soothing and calm again.
As you can see, none of these are rocket science, and you can do it yourself.
The most important thing is to keep everything clean, and remember- safety first!
If you still don’t know why is your pool motor so loud – maybe it’s the right time to go DIY and either create a pool pump silencer or unfortunately, replace the motor for a quieter one.
Now you do not need to make a children’s party to mask the sound of the pump, but you can get outside, and enjoy the perks of your own swimming pool without having to worry about raging neighbors showing at your door.
Have a nice summer!
Pool Pump Noise Reduction: How to Quiet a Noisy Pool Pump
Pool pump making humming noises? In this pool pump noise reduction guide, we teach you how to quiet a noisy pool pump in 7 simple steps.
Instructions
- Reduce the Vibrations of your Pool Pump’s Motor
- Clean the Skimmer Basket Regularly
- Try Raising the Level of Water in the Pool
- Keep Your Pool Pump Basket Clean
- Keep Your Impeller Clean
- Replace the Bearings on the Pool Pump Motor
- Replace the Whole Pool Pump