Water pumps are essential tools for providing water supply both in residential and commercial settings. Besides supplying water, a water pump can be used to remove excess water in certain areas. Just like any other machine, proper maintenance is the key to keeping a water pump in good working order. Cleaning your pump is one critical maintenance practice you can’t ignore if you care about its welfare.
Cleaning removes any residuals, debris or any dirt clogged in the pump. If you notice any abnormal performance of your pump, don’t rush to call a plumber, cleaning may get everything in order. So, how do you go about it? Read on to learn how to clean a water pump.
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Requirements
Ensure you have the following before you get started;
- The water pump itself
- Screwdriver
- Pliers
- A piece of washing material
- Plenty of water
- Steel wool
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Procedure
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1. Disassembling the pump
Remove the pump cover. This is the part that protects the impeller and internal components of the pump. Depending on your pump model, the cover may have screws hence the need for a screwdriver or other protective measures.
Removing the cover exposes the impeller. To get it out, you need to remove the protective cap first using the pliers. Take down all the components of the impeller which include the blade, fastener, and a rotating metal bar.
It is advisable to take pictures of how everything is held together before taking the pieces out. It will help you to fit everything back together once you are done with the cleaning. You should note the direction the impeller is facing before removing it because it is positioned that way to facilitate the flow of water.
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2. Washing All the Parts
With everything laid out before you, clean them thoroughly while taking note of any debris or materials that could be clogged in the parts. A piece of washing material and water are enough to get the job done.
Use the steel wool to polish the impeller rotating metal bar to facilitate smooth running. If your pump is for supplying clean drinking water, sanitize the pump. Avoid using soap because it can leave a residue which can affect the taste and color of the water afterwards.
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3. Putting back everything together
When you are satisfied with the level of cleanliness of all the parts, start to assemble them back together. Start with the impeller. Put all its components (i.e. the blade, fastener, and metal bar) back and ensure they are tightly held to prevent them from coming loose during operation leading to damage.
Refer to the pictures you took earlier to ensure everything is well-positioned before closing the cap fastening it strongly. Put back the covering and ensure it locks into place. If you have the model that requires screws to hold the cover, ensure they are all placed in their respective positions and are well tightened.
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4. Time to Test Your Pump
Did you mess with anything during the cleaning process? Its time to tell this by testing the pump. Immerse the pump in a bucket of water and attach a hose. The hose is used to ascertain the water is flowing in the right direction.
A flow of water in the wrong direction indicates the impeller was not correctly positioned. You will be required to disassemble the unit again and reverse the blade. However, if everything seems to work fine, you are good to go. Congratulations, you have just managed to clean your water.
If the issue persists, you could refer to a guide on plumbing problems and solutions to fix them from HomeWarrantyReviews, to seek further help. Or, you could consider hiring a professional plumber to resolve the plumbing issue at the earliest.
Conclusion
How to clean a water pump is all that simple. No complicated procedures or tools are required to get the job done. All you need is patience and good observation skills. You will need to clean your pump regularly to avoid accumulation of dirt which can make hard to clean.
If you don’t use the pump often, clean it immediately after use to ensure it remains in great working condition. Cleaning your water pump is a simple maintenance practice but can get your pump in service for a long time. Don’t wait until your water pump clogs or fails due to dirt – do the cleaning now by following the above simple steps.