How do I Clean a Pentair Whisperflo Pool Pump Impeller?
When a pool filter is running properly, it should run quietly and efficiently. However, if you find the water pressure has diminished and you have already performed routine cleaning in the filter housing, the problem might be a dirty impeller. In the Pentair Whisperflo pool pump, the impeller is the heart of the pump. When working properly, it creates a powerful suction to pull the water into the pool filter. When your Whisperflo is not working properly, your water pressure will diminish, and you must clean the impeller to improve performance. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Screwdriver
- Sponge
- Scrub brush
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Instructions
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Turn off the pool filter and unplug the pump. Open the Whisperflo pump basket lid. The impeller on a Whisperflo pump is housed behind the pump basket. Reach beyond the pump basket toward the impeller to see if you can dislodge any dirt or leaves that are affecting the impeller's operation. After removing the debris, replace the lid, plug in the pump and turn on the filter. Check whether the filter appears to operate efficiently.
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Shut off the filter and unplug the pool pump again.
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Plug the skimmer and the return openings in the pool. The goal is to stop the water from entering the filter/pump assembly.
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Remove the Whisperflo pump from the filter housing. Once the pump is removed, you can look down into the pump. There you can see the impeller and any dirt, debris or leaves that are affecting its operation. Reach in and pull out the dirt. If you feel that this fixes the problem, then reattach everything and start the filter again. If not, you have to go even further in the impeller cleaning process.
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Take the Pentair Whisperflo apart. You want to be able to fully access the impeller, so you must loosen the screws that connect the pump assembly to the back end of the pump. Once you remove the pump assembly, you'll be able to access the impeller. In Whisperflo pumps, the impeller sits behind the diffuser assembly.
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Clean the impeller. If it's not too dirty, a simple sponging off will do. However, if it is extremely dirty with caked-on dirt, use a small scrub brush. Be careful not to damage the impeller, as it is an integral part of the Whisperflo pump assembly.
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Put everything back together, re-attach the pump to the filter housing, remove the plugs from the inlet and the skimmer, turn the pump on and check to see that everything is operating properly. Also, check the ground beneath the Whisperflo pump for leaks. If it's leaking, tighten the connecting screws.
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Tips & Warnings
Unless you're familiar with the inner workings of a Whisperflo pool pump, it is not recommended that you take it apart. Leave that to the pool professionals.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Pool image by apeschi from Fotolia.com
