{7 Hacks} To Make a Pool Pump Quieter Than Ever Before

Imagine yourself relaxing by your pool on a hot summer day. The sun is shining, and the water looks inviting, tempting you to take a nice refreshing swim.
But all of a sudden, the peace and quiet are ruined by the loud noise coming from your pool pump. It’s really annoying, and you just want to make that noise go away.
No worries! In this guide, we are going to show you 7 proven ways to make your pool pump quieter.
Let’s get started!
Why does the pool pump make noise?
Have you ever wondered why your pool pump makes noises?
Pool pumps are fairly simple machines, but there are a few common problems that can make them noisy or behave differently.
Here are 5 reasons that could be causing your pool pump noise.
1. The impeller may be damaged
The most common cause of a a loud pool pump is the impeller. The impeller is what pushes water through the filter and back into the pool.
There are various reasons why the impeller can get damaged, such as debris getting stuck in the blades or normal wear and tear over time.
If it’s damaged in any way, it can make a lot of frustrating sounds as it spins.
2. The strainer basket may be full
The strainer basket is located on the top of the pump and its job is to catch debris as the water flows through the pump. When the basket gets filled up with debris, it can contribute to the noise.
In fact, as an expert in pool pumps, I’ve encountered many noisy pool pumps, and I’ve found that a clogged strainer basket is often the second most common cause of a noisy pump.
Often, leaves and other debris gets caught in the basket and cause it to become clogged over time. So, before you try any other solution, make sure to check and clean the strainer basket. It’s a simple task that can make a big difference in reducing the noise.
3. You may not have installed the pool pump properly
Sometimes, the cause of noise in your pump can be traced back to improper installation. When a pool pump is not installed correctly, it can result in vibrations that can be quite irritating.
Improper installation can involve various factors. For example, if the pump is not securely fastened to its base or if the mounting surface is uneven, it can result to vibrations when the pump is running.
Also, if the pump is not aligned properly with the plumbing system, it can cause strain on the motor, which may contribute to the noise.
4. The motor mounts may be loose
Another common cause of pool pump noise is loose motor mounts. This issue is easy to identify and fix, but if ignored, it can lead to more problems.
This includes premature wear on the bearings, which causes the motor shaft to become misaligned with the impeller blades.
5. Worn Bearings
Over time, the bearings in a pool pump can wear down, which cause more friction and noise. This is particularly common in older pumps or those that haven’t been properly taken care of.
The bearings are important because they help the pump’s impeller rotate smoothly. When they start to deteriorate, the friction between the moving parts increases, resulting in unwanted noise while the pump is running.
How to make a Pool Pump Quieter? 7 Hacks to Quiet a Pool Pump!
Here are the 7 pool pump noise reduction tips. By following these simple steps, you can effectively minimize the noise coming from your pump.
1. Install the Pool Pump correctly
It’s important to ensure that your pool pump is installed correctly. If it’s not installed correctly, the water flow passing through the pump can be amplified and increased noise levels of your pool pump.
In some cases, an improperly installed pool pump can also lead water damage and other costly problems, so don’t neglect to fix it.
You can watch this video that demonstrates the proper steps. If you notice anything wrong with your installation, make sure to fix them accordingly:
And when mounting the pool pump, I will recommend you to use anti-vibration rubber feet or pad which will help kill the noise.
Anti-vibration rubber pads are specifically designed to reduce vibrations and noise generated by machinery. They work by absorbing and dampening the vibrations that occur during operation, thus reducing the overall noise level.
Our Soundproofing team found that; anti-vibration pads reduce noise levels by up to 23.5dB.
Here I am linking some of the best Anti-Vibration pads that you can buy:
2. Clean the Skimmer Basket
As I mentioned earlier, a clogged skimmer is one of the most common cause of a loud pool pump.
The skimmer basket is where water from the pool enters the pump. When it becomes completely clogged with leaves, debris, and other particles, it slows down the water flow into the pump.
This has two disadvantages based on my experience:
- First, it will to increase energy use.
- And second, it will make the pool pump louder.
It’s normal for the skimmer basket to get clogged in every pool pump. Anyway, I recommend you to clean the skimmer at least once a week. The cleaning literally takes a few minutes.
Here’s how you can clean your pool pump’s skimmer:
- Turn off the pool pump.
- Remove the skimmer lid.
- Take out the skimmer basket and empty its contents.
- Place the basket back into the skimmer.
- Install the skimmer lid, and you’re done!
3. Clean Your Pool Pump’s Impeller Regularly to Reduce Noise
An impeller is the rotating part in a pump that draws water into the pump and forces it out. It’s like the heart of a pool pump, capable of moving thousands of gallons of water every day.
Most of the noise from a pool pump comes from the impeller. If the impeller is damaged or blocked, it can become even noisier than usual.
That said, keeping the impeller clean is crucial for your pump. However, it is not always easy to find the right time to clean it.
To get an idea of how often you should clean your pump’s impeller, take a look at your pool pump and see the number of hours it pumps water per year.
For example, if it runs for seven hours each day, you’ll need to clean the impeller approximately every ten days.
Here is a video that will help you clean your pump’s impeller.
Also note that the impeller should not be broken, if it is broken replace it with a new one.
4. Replace Pool Pump Bearings to Reduce Noise
Sometimes, there may be a problem with the parts you can’t expect. And in a pool pump there are actually a lot things that can make the pump noisy.
Among them the most unusual problem that can happen with your pump is with the bearings.
In a pool pump, these little wonders are responsible for keeping the motor shaft and impeller shaft spinning smoothly with minimal friction.
However, just like any hardworking part, the bearings in your pool pump can wear out over time and require replacement. And when they reach that point of exhaustion, they can cause your pump to emit all sorts of interesting noises—spinning, grinding, or even whining sound.
So, if your pump starts serenading you with these noises, it’s a sure sign that it’s time to give those bearings a well-deserved retirement and replace them.
5. Tighten loose screws and bolts on your pool pump
Believe it or not, these little guys can be the culprits behind the vibrations coming from your pool pump. But don’t worry, tightening the motor mounts is as easy as tightening the lid on a jar of pickles.
However, I must confess, this solution may not effective as other options to soundproof your pool pump.
Now, let me clarify that loose screws and bolts causing noise in your pump is not a very common. Nevertheless you should definitely check and tighten the loose screws and bolts of your pump, it will help a bit to quiet your pool pump. I recommend checking it once in a month and tightening them.
6. Build a Pool Pump Noise Reduction Enclosure
Every pool owner wants their pump to be quiet but most of them fail to do so because they look for internal problems but once they find no internal problem they leave the pump noisy.
They should also think about doing something externally. And if you found yourself in the same trap where your pump seems perfectly fine but the pump continues to make noise, fear not!
You still have two options:
- You can replace the pump with a new quiet one.
- Or, you can build a noise reduction enclosure.
Now, hold your horses, my friend! Building a noise reduction enclosure isn’t as simple as tossing a blanket over your pump.
You don’t need any technical expertise, but keep in mind that creating a high-quality noise reduction enclosure may require a bit more investment.
You can get an idea of how your pump enclosure should be like by watching this video:
And you can learn to build the enclosure for your pump by watching this video:
7. Replace the pump with a quieter one
The most easiest way to quiet your pool pump is to replace it with a quieter one. If your pool is very old and noisy and you are interested in replacing the pump instead of doing something else, then you should replace it.
Now, I get it—picking the perfect pool pump can be a bit overwhelming. But worry not, my friend! We’ve got your back with a recent blog post that reveals quietest pool pumps. Take a peek right here: Best Quietest Pool Pump
How to Make a Pool Pump Quieter: FAQs
Here we’ll answer some of the burning questions frequently posed by pool owners like yourself. Let’s dive right in and shed light on these FAQs:
Q1. Why is my pool pump so loud?
Ans: If your pool pump is too loud, it might be due to various reasons such as aging, motor issues, clogged filters, or loose/damaged parts.
Q2. Which is the best way to quiet a pool pump?
Ans: The best way to quiet a pool pump is build an enclosure. In fact, an enclosure can reduce the noise level by up to 30 decibels, making it the best way to quiet your pool pump.
Q3. What is the average life of a pool pump?
Ans: The average life of a pool pump is about 5-7 years, It is not necessary that an expensive pump will last longer than the cheap one.
Q4. Is it possible to use a variable-speed pool pump to reduce noise levels?
Ans: Yes, using a variable-speed pool pump can help to reduce noise levels. These pumps are designed to run at lower speeds, which produces less noise compared to traditional pool pumps that run at a single high speed.
My final thought on making a pool pump quiet
In conclusion, achieving a quiet pool pump is not an impossible task. By identifying and addressing the root causes of the noise, you can definitely make your pool pump quieter.
Whether it’s through proper installation, regular maintenance, replacing worn-out parts, or even considering a quieter pump, there are options available to suit your needs.
That it for: How to make a Pool Pump Quieter?
We sincerely hope that the tips and suggestions provided have been valuable to silence your noisy pool pump. Thank you for taking the time to read through this guide.