Ok, I've got a leak in my pool pump. A couple actually.

First is around the top joint. Pictured here.



It's a very slow drip near the joint. We've had the house for 2 1/2 years and when we bought the pool inspector pointed out this rusted area and told me to keep an eye on it. He said that he would be weary of trying to replumb it until there was no choice because things might snap apart and I'd have to replace the entire pump. I think some JB Weld or epoxy should handle this one.

The main leak thought is here:



It's a small crack and water just seeps out in a continuous little stream. Not sure what to do about this one?

I'm reasonably handy so can try some stuff. Anybody run into a leak like this before? If so how did you handle it?

I've had similar leaks in the past. They sell putty in the store that works but it won't last. Mine started as a small leak and it gradually got bigger. I eventually had water squirting like 4 feet under a lot of pressure. If it's a slow leaks the putty will help. I also tried JB weld. I eventually had to replace the pump this past year because I was losing too much water. Go to Leslies or some other pool place and try the putty though.

Its time to retire your old pump.

I have had a pool for the past 18 years. I am not an expert but I have always done my own repairs. From the pics you posted, I would say it is time to replace the entire pump.

x3...think its time to move on to a new pump.

Yep I also tried fixing the pump housing and other parts of my pool equipment with putty, epoxy and wraps. They fill the hole but do not keep the crack from growing. Those fixes lasted from a few days to a few weeks before the crack greatly enlarged and I ended up losing a ton of water from my pool. If you see a small leak in the pump housing, its not going to stay small long, go ahead and buy the replacement parts.

Thanks for the tips. Right now I have a WhisperFlo WFE-8 (2 HP). I assume just replace with the same? Looks like the current model is $550 on Amazon right now.

Pentair WhisperFlo

I see they have a SuperFlo for much cheaper but am reading that despite it also being 2 HP it isn't as strong.

Is it any easy enough job to do myself? I had the pool company that built the pool replace the cleaner pump a couple years ago, but I have written them off so don't really want to call them. (Their scheduling/communication is horrible).

If you have any mechanical ability, the worst part is getting the PVC lengths just right. Which is greatly helped by flexible connectors. Should be a pretty quick job, maybe one extra trip to the hardware store mid repair if your list isn't complete.

Typical PVC primer and glue, let it set up to dry well enough. Teflon tape any threaded connections.

She gone.

Definitely time for a new one.

What do you use to get the existing PVC joints apart?

Odds are you are just going to have to cut them off and replumb. Thats about all i can say without seeing the full setup layout.

Check out SpectraLightUV. They are a Texas based company that sells Energy Efficient pool pumps. Their number is 888-895-7080. Ask for Hayden. He will be able to answer any questions.

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Odds are you are just going to have to cut them off and replumb. Thats about all i can say without seeing the full setup layout.

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Agree, I would bet that PVC is mostly going to tear or crack if you get a pipe wrench close to it. PVC is cheap and easy to work with, even consider rerouting if need be. Take a couple of good photos of the setup before you tear in to it.

An update, with some good news I think. After jogging my memory I realized that we actually replaced the pump motor right after we moved in because the old one blew a bearing (or something like that) and needed replacing. Judging from the markings the motor was manufactured on the 223rd day of 2013 so it is not very old at all.





So i think all I need is the volute side of things:
http://www.amazon.com/Pentair-WhisperFlo-Volute-Housing-357149/dp/B001F1WCRM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1454525972&sr=8-1&keywords=whisperflo+volute

For those that requested it, here is a couple pics of the complete set up.

I would just cut that T off on the discharge side of the pump and make a new one:

just guessing looking at it
2" pvc male adaptor ~$.75
2" pvc slip tee ~$1.50
2" pvc coupler ~$.75
2" x 3/4" reducer bushing (I'd get threaded) $1
3/4"x3/4" 4" long nipple $.50
3/4" threaded ball valve $4.00

long story less than $10 i could remake that discharge with parts in the back of my truck ( i do irrigation)

Ok, so just to clarify... Are you saying you would make a cut at A, right at the T, or disconnect at B and rebuild from there?

If (A) then how would I make the T work, since there is no PVC length to go into it from the filter side anymore.

If (B) then I also need a ~2' piece of 2" PVC to your list to make the run from the switch to the T joint.

I just saw this reply....Sorry for just now responding

If it was me, I would remove all the PVC from the pump to the filter and just rebuild that whole setup. I do irrigation work and after a few years you really cant trust pvc that has been open to the sun like that. Plus when you cut our the tee if you are not careful you run the risk of cracking the existing pipe. The time/minor cost saved by is not worth the risk or the peace of mind knowing its new pipe and fittings that will last longer. The parts list i had above should get you 99% of the way there. You would just need a couple of feet of 2 in pipe from the Tee to the filter connection.