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Pool Pump Loses Pressure After A Few Minutes [Causes & Fixes]

Are you frustrated about your pool pump losing pressure? We know how annoying that can be when you want to enjoy pool time. Therefore, we have to detect the causes to solve this. 

Why does the pool pump loses pressure after a few minutes?

This might happen due to a few different reasons. There might be clogs or dirt on the pool filter. Even debris stuck in the draining hose and motor might be the reason. There is a chance of leaks or cracks, which causes it to go off. Moreover, there might be air in the pump system causing this!

This was just the tip of the water. To know all the solutions to each of these causes, keep on reading. And you’ll know just how to fix it!

Why Does My Pool Pump Lose Pressure After A Few Minutes?

The pool pump pressure can go out for a few reasons. This problem is similar to the gas dryer going off. Because both of these turn off after a while. But fret not, it’s nothing you can’t fix. 

Grab your handyman’s hat, and let’s get fixing!

Check For Clogging Or Dirt

To start off, we’ll look at the obvious and major reasons first. That is we’ll first inspect for any debris or clogging. 

There are three places we need to clear: the filter, the hose, and the motor. If you don’t find debris in any one of them, move on to the next.

Clean Out The Pool Filter

First, wash all the pool filters, even the ones used on the pump. You can try to backwash it. This will make the unclogging process easier.

Make sure to look at the pump basket and impeller for debris too. Make sure to clean it well! 

Clean Out The Draining Hose

If you notice the hose line is folded, try to unfold it slowly. Then search for clogs in the hose line. In the case of a clog, use a reverse flow line. This will plumb out any and all the dirt is debris blocking the drain.

You can also use a clog eliminator for this. We have a couple of favorites we’d like to recommend:

Product 1
Product 2

These are the best clog eliminators in the market. You won’t be disappointed using these! 

Clean Out The Pump’s Motor

At this point, cleaning the motor is a great idea. Open it up and remove all the dirt or hair that might be stuck. Clean it properly and then close it. That is using the steps you took to open it!

Now that we’ve cleaned everything out, it’s time to test it. Do a quick run of the pump and check the PSI reading. 

If it’s in a range between 5 to 20,  it might be okay. These are usually designed to operate between the 5-10 and 10-20 PSI range. 10 PSI might be considered a normal pressure. 

With most of the pool systems, this fix alone might be enough. This can help maintain the water pressure level. But if this doesn’t work for you, move onto the next section. 

Check The Suction Line

Another reason the pump might be losing pressure is if there’s air in the system. This is due to the water level being too low in the swimming pool. 

Inspect The Suction Lid

For this, make sure the skimmer or strainer basket lid is tightly closed. Because if it isn’t, the airflow might be compromised. That might be due to way too much air in the system. Therefore close it, if you notice that it’s open. 

Make sure the skimmer or strainer basket is free of debris too. If you find any, make sure to clean it well. You can simply take it out and empty the waste. After you hose it down, put it back where it was.  

After that, you might have to fill your strainer basket and reseal it. Now, prime the pump to get it going!

Inspect For Leaks 

Here you’ll have to inspect the pipeline for leaks. Examine carefully in the o-ring, the impeller housing, the thread sealant, or the shift seal. 

Let the pump run and look for it. If you find any, repair the leak. You can also replace part of it. However, in some cases, the damage might be beyond repair. For example, the pipe is fully broken or the crack might be too big to repair. Then it might need replacing. And it’ll be solved.

If the line is covered by concrete, it’s best to ask for a professional’s help. 

Check For Cracks 

Now, you’ll have to see if the rubber seals are in place properly. That is if they are locked tightly. If they are, that’s great. But if not, you’ll have to fix it. 

Sealing these gaps with duct tape will improve the airflow by a lot! 

Test Test! 

Now after fixing this, the majority of the problems should be solved.  Just to be sure, you can run your pump and check it! 

If you’re still facing the same problem, your pump might be broken. You might have to replace it then.

 Contact a professional if you’ve exhausted every option and nothing works. 

Simply follow these easy solutions to solve your problems. You can also set up a pump timer to optimize your pool settings. This will further help in improving the pump’s functionality.

FAQs

Question: How can you tell if your pool pump is going bad?
Answer: Check if the pump is making any strange sounds. If there is a loud grinding sound, the bearings might be failing. Therefore, to fix this, you’ll have to remove the worn-down bearings. And repair it with a new one.

Question: How many years does a pool pump last?
Answer: A pool pump will last you about 10-12 years. The motors might need to be replaced. And if you use a modern one, the plastic might warp eventually. But it will serve you throughout that 10-12 year period.

Question: Does a pool pump use a lot of electricity?
Answer: Yes! As a matter of fact, it is the largest energy consumer besides air conditioners.  That is in an average home that contains a pool. It uses about 2500 kWh every year to filter and circulate the water.

Bottom Line

Well, this brings us to the end of this segment. Hope this answered your burning question. ‘Why does the pool pump lose pressure after a few minutes?’. 

The process is very straightforward, one would say. You’ll first have to unclog the filters, hose, and motor. In most cases, this alone solves the problem. But if it doesn’t, you’ll have to search for leaks and cracks. Once you detect those, patch them up or replace them!

Have a great day, goodbye!