How to Seal a Suction Side Pool Pump Air Leak

A suction-side air leak on a pool pump can keep the pump from operating as it was designed. The suction side of a pool pump is also called the inlet side or the wet side. The pump impeller creates suction, moving the water through the pump and the rest of the system at a specific flow rate. The flow rate determines the filtering and heating efficiency of the pool. An air leak can negatively affect the pump's ability to achieve the proper flow rate.

Things You'll Need

• Spray bottle
• Dish soap
• Grease marker
• Dry rag
• Squeeze tube of silicone caulk
• Damp rag

Instructions

1. Identify where the air leak is coming from by spraying soapy water from a spray bottle onto the pump housing and plumbing connections. Mark the leak with a grease marker.

2. Turn off the pump and let the water drain out. Wipe the surface of the pump housing and plumbing connections with a dry rag, especially in the location of the air leak.

3. Squeeze some silicone caulk onto the area of the leak from a squeeze tube. A squeeze tube is much easier to work with in this situation than a caulk gun.

4. Spread the silicone into the area of the leak and around it in all directions to ensure that it seals. Use your finger to smear the silicone into the surface where the leak is located. Wipe off excess silicone from your finger and the surface of the pump parts with a damp rag. Allow the silicone to dry for 24 hours before resuming regular pump operations.