You’re probably all too familiar with the pains of owning a pool and trying to figure out how to soundproof a pool pump. I love my pool, but I often ask myself, will my pool pump ever be silent?
It may be frustrating, but pool pumps will never be silent. However, you can soundproof a pool pump to a significant extent by investing in proper equipment like vibration pads and keeping your pool clean.
Unless you find the constant noise of your pool pump intoxicating or even therapeutic, I suggest you read on.
Also read: How To Soundproof A Noisy Water Pump In A Few Simple Steps
How To Soundproof A Pool Pump
I have mentioned earlier that pool pumps will never be silent. But why? Why can’t my pool pumps ever be as quiet as air?
Unfortunately, for pool pumps to work, they will probably need an engine and rushing water.
All those processes cause the pool pump to generate noise. However, as promised earlier, we can do something about that noise, albeit not eliminating it entirely; we can still make it not less prevalent than before.
Below is a list of all probable causes of excessive noise delivered by your pool pump.
Do note that if your pool pump still makes excessive noise even without the catalysts listed below, inquiring a pool pump technician about the noise will be the most rational solution.
1. Clean out Debris
Pool pumps need to be run for up to 12 hours a day on hot days or at least 4 or 5 hours a day in winter months. This long-standing operation means that pool pumps will garner debris over those periods, which causes noise.
To lessen the noise, you may check to see if debris such as twigs, leaves, and even insects are clogging the pump.
Whenever your pool pump garners debris, you may notice that your pool pump will be working harder as it needs to exert more effort in pumping in water—the clogging results in even more noise.
Skimmer baskets are purposely catching debris. However, if the skimmer baskets are not maintained, your pull pump will exert more effort in pumping as the debris will eventually obstruct the flow of water. Cleaning skimmer baskets at least once a week is optimal.
If you do not know, pool pumps, aside from the skimmer baskets, also have their baskets. Called pump baskets, these filters are used as secondary gates to prevent any debris from ever reaching the pumping mechanism itself.
Most of the time, the pump baskets are hard to open or hard to remove. It is heavily encouraged to contact a professional to do this task for you, especially if one lacks the physical tools or the expertise to do this independently.
All these things lead me to my second point, closely related to obstructions. It happens whenever the pool pump does not get enough water, which is called pool pump cavitation.
2. Ensure Water Level within Limits
Pool pump cavitations happen whenever not enough water is getting to the pool pump.
Cavitations can happen for many reasons; it may be because of debris or of low water levels. Nevertheless, always note that cavitations will not only make your pool pump noisier it may damage your pool pump as well.
Whenever the pool pump suffers in deprivation of water, it may overheat, eventually ruining the motor.
Other possible effects may be with the shaft seal failing or having the impeller separate from the shaft thoroughly. Not only that, but now, your pool pump will run consistently noisier than before.
Pool pump cavitations usually happen whenever the water level of your pool is low enough that not enough water reaches the pump. An easy fix is to ensure that the water level is always higher than the skimming baskets.
If you take a closer look at the skimming baskets, you may notice a MAX and MIN warning sign.
Keeping the water level above MAX will be fine, albeit losing some water from the opening between the skimmer and the rim of the pool. However, keeping the water level below MIN spells disastrous effects for your pool pump.
3. House the Pool Pump
You may not know this, but you can house your pool pump to reduce the sound coming out from it.
The logic behind this is by housing your pool pump, you will be able to attach soundproofing materials to it. Ensuring that the sound from the pool pump will not leave the housing is crucial to remove noise.
There are many soundproofing materials one can use to reduce the sound from the pool pump. For example, one can use silicone mats to serve as the base for the pool pump to sit on.
With two to three layers of silicone mats, one can be sure that any humming, vibration, or noise coming from the pump will indeed be absorbed by the mats.
You can use wood to house the sides of the pool pump with galvanized iron used as the roof. Acoustic foams can then be put on the sides to minimize the sound from escaping the housing.
Please ensure that the accommodation has enough space for heat to release as heat building up in the housing may cause a fire hazard.
There are also other options for housing, mainly vibration pads. By installing vibration pads, minimizing vibrations coming from the pool pump is possible, at the same time, dampening the noise output.
4. Get Back To The Basics
If there’s one thing people always forget to check, it’s always the basics. Ensuring that your pool pump is not directly in contact with any loose material such as rock floorings and metal bars, you can minimize any noise created from the vibrations of the pool pump.
Additionally, loose screws can also add up with the formula and create a high-pitched sound, even with anti-vibration pads.
By securing your screws and bolts once every three months, you are not only minimizing the noise coming from your pool pump, but you are also minimizing the possible weak points within your pump.
These weakness points may accumulate in time, and the damage may leave you with a pump that’s due for repair.
5. Use Cartridge Filters
Traditional sand-filled pool filters are notorious for their loud operating noise. The extra process in which water coming from the pool is rerouted to a port before it reaches the filter results in additional noise.
By using cartridge filters, you enable your pump not to require a port, reducing noise. Cartridge filters also come with the liberty of being easily maintained compared to the changing of sands along with the traditional sand-filled pool filters.
6. Buy a Quieter Pool Pump (Last Resort)
If any of these options still leave your gears ground due to the sheer amount of noise your pump generates, you can opt for the last resort. The last resort is to buy a quieter pool pump.
Although this is costlier, this will ensure that all your noise problems will vanish immediately– like air. Whenever in the market buying pool pumps, always look for variable speed pumps.
Variable speed pumps always run at low speeds unless prompted, thus reducing overall noise.
Compared to regular speed pumps, which either run at full speed or no speed at all, variable speed pumps also cost electricity and are much more efficient at pumping.
The Hayward SP2303VSP MaxFlo VS (see it on Amazon) is one of the most robust pool pumps on the market. Also a variable speed pump, the Hayward SP2303VSP MaxFlo VS is known for its efficiency and durability.
Another excellent model to buy is the Pentair 342001 SuperFlo. Also robust and powerful, this pump also saves up to 80% of your electricity cost compared to your regular pool pump.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pool Pumps.
Should I keep the pool pump near or far from the pool?
Keeping your pool pump, not in proximity of the pool is essential because some pool pumps are not waterproof. Yes, despite its water pumping duties, some are not waterproof. Also, keeping your pool pump away from the pool is essential to reduce the noise heard by pool-goers.