When it comes to water treatment, an effective pump is critical to a successful application. Without the efficient moving of water, thanks to the right pump, a variety of problems can occur. This is why it’s vital to choose a high-quality pump, as well as ensure it’s regularly checked by a professional.

Making sure your pump is maintained is a necessary part of the job. Naturally, pumps suffer more wear and tear the longer they’re used for. If your pump is a little older, it will likely need regular repairs or even a full replacement. But, how do you know if your pump is in good condition, and how can you keep it that way? We’ve listed 8 of the most common factors that significantly shorten the lifespan of water pumps. With the helpful advice below, you’ll be able to save time and money by ensuring your pump lasts as long as it can.

1. Driver Alignment

The driver alignment is one of the most important parts of your pump because it manages the rotation of the pump’s essential components. Without the correct driver alignment, a smooth and steady flow is all but impossible.

If the driver does seem to be misaligned, it’s much easier to fix if you catch it early on. The longer your driver continues to operate out of alignment, the greater the risk of damage to other parts of the pump. To ensure it’s working as it should be, you should check your driver alignment regularly.

However, if there is damage to the driver’s blades or vanes, the alignment is likely beyond repair. In this case, a replacement water pump is the only way to go.

If you need some advice on the best practice for repairing and replacing pumps, the Egger Pumps UK team are always here to help. We can assist with pumps and control valves, as well as recommend the best systems for your job. Our Turo® vortex pump, in particular, is a customer favourite.

2. Fluid Properties

One of the main factors in long-term damage to your pump is the water that flows through it. Fluid properties are commonly determined by where the fluid has come from. Any fluid pumped, or that stays inside the pump, will have a slow but sure effect on the way the pump works.

For example, if a fluid contains dissolved or partially intact solids, your pump is going to have to work harder to move them. After a significant amount of time, this wear and tear will cause damage to the delicate components within your pump. Limescale is another major culprit for damage to the inner workings of your pump, and this build-up can quickly become unsalvageable.

To combat these problems, a filter is an affordable and easy line of defence. You should also take a moment to review the quality of any liquid passing through your pump, to make sure you’re operating the pump correctly.

3. Impeller Balance

If the function of a water pump is to move water, then the impeller, which pushes the water through the pump, is its most crucial component. A good way to check on the balance of your pump’s impeller is to focus on water delivery. If the delivery is choppy, with large gaps of time in between, your impeller may be unbalanced. A touch of grease on the impeller can solve the problem, however, it may be easier and more efficient to simply replace the impeller.

4. Oil Contamination

As above, grease is a common solution to many problems. We often reach for the grease to keep our water pumps in good working order. However, unbeknownst to you, grease may be doing more damage than good to your pump.

Your pump’s intricate components can be hampered by sticky grease, gumming them together and stopping the pumping process. To successfully prevent this from happening, regularly check your pump and clean up any excess grease from the instruments. This is another problem that can compound over time, so the more effort you put into preventing it, the longer your pump will last for.

5. Pipe Strain

Pipe strain can lead to a lack of pressure in your pump. This not only causes increased damage to the pump but also means the pump must work at a lower efficiency. This is one of the easiest issues to fix, only needing a simple bend in the pipe to release any strain.

However, pipe strain can also be caused by other factors, such as overloading the pump with water capacity. If this is the case, the best way to overcome pipe strain is to invest in another pump, so as not to overwhelm the existing treatment system.

6. Pump Speed

Pump speed affects many different components of your pump, but in particular, it is directly related to the pressure your pump will need to operate at. If your pump speed is too high, it can lead to lots of problems for your pump’s mechanics. If you need to pump at higher speeds, invest in a high-speed pump over a low-speed pump.

7. Radial Force

The radial force is the force your pump has to operate under, determined by other factors on this list. Too much force and your pump will start to degrade. Although this is inevitable, you can keep on top of the damage caused by radial force by making regular checks and replacements.

8. Suction Pressure

Suction pressure is the pressure required to begin pumping liquid from its point of origin. So, if you need to pump water up an incline, you’ll need more energy than if you were pumping on a flat area or a downward slope.

The more energy your pump needs to move liquid, the more suction pressure your pump will have to generate. This can cause significant wear over time, meaning pumps that are pumping water uphill should be replaced regularly.

Closing Thoughts

Now you know what kinds of things can affect your pump’s longevity and how to combat them. Fortunately, modern pumps are designed to work well despite these factors, so rarely will they cause your pump to completely stop working. However, to ensure this is the case, regular maintenance is your best bet for a long-lasting life for your pump.

If you’re looking for experienced and reliable industrial pump suppliers, Egger Pumps UK could be a solution.