Pumps don’t always work as intended. Your pump may fail to pump liquid, not start at all, suffer a low flow rate, low suction, pump overheating, or cause excessive pump noise or excessive pump vibration.
A qualified pump repairer will consider the issue you are experiencing, the way in which the pump is used, and carry out an examination to determine the cause of your pump failure or pump issues. Potential causes of pump failure or poor performance include:
- Corrosion. This issue is more common in older pumps and is unlikely to be the cause in a new pump that has just been installed. Corrosion occurs over time as the fluid being pumped and the metal result in a chemical reaction. It is most likely to occur in pumps without stainless steel components or if the pump has been wrongly selected for the job. Pump corrosion can affect how effective the pump is, and ultimately it can lead to failure. It may require a pump replacement.
- Fouling. Fouling refers to the build up of matter along the insides of a pump. This narrows the space that is available for the liquid to be pumped and can reduce the flow of a pump and therefore its efficiency. Generally, this issue occurs mostly when pumping liquids that contain particulate matter, and the fix may be a pump clean by your pump maintenance expert.
- Pump wear and tear. All pumps will eventually wear and tear, but this process may be accelerated by certain actions. When particulate matter can wear away at a pump’s internal surfaces, it can increase friction and make the pump need to work harder. Similarly, if a pump is mismatched and too much is demanded of it, bearings, seals and other components will suffer stress. A lack of pump maintenance heightens the risk of pump wear and tear.
- Cavitation. This cause of pump damage occurs when vapour bubbles are able to form in liquid, which then may collapse or implode under pressure and send shock waves through the pump that can be damaging to components. This may be caused when a pump is mismatched to the job, allowing liquid to drop below the liquid’s vapour pressure.
- Air entrainment. This is where air enters the pump rather than being formed within it. This can sometimes result in air bubbles imploded against the impeller or a pump running non-stop if it cannot reach its deactivation pressure level. Both of these conditions point to the need for a qualified pump supplier and installer.
- Poor pump engineering. This relates to the above point about the need for a pump expert to install your pump. In a centrifugal pump for example, improper engineering can result in an imbalance of liquid that places excessive thrust on the impeller and threatens impeller or seal failure.
If your pump is not working properly, contact Enviro Pump Services. Our pump service near me can troubleshoot your pump issue, undertake pump repair, pump maintenance, a Sydney pump service, handle your after hour pumps emergencies, and more.