How to Unclog Your Pool Pump Impeller! (and warning signs)

Worried your impeller is clogged? In this video, we'll show you the warning signs (low PSI, slow moving pool vacuum, low pump pot) of a clogged impeller, and also how to fix your clogged impeller! It's important to keep your pool pump running great, and this video will help show you how!

True Method is a swimming pool service, maintenance, and repair company serving the Scottsdale and Phoenix area!

True Method Pool Care Experts
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Watch some of out other videos:

Backwashing your swimming pool filter

How to extend the life of your motor

[akasgsvirgil]

Folks, don't stick your hand or a hand tool in the pump without first turning off the main power to the pump. Turning off the switch is not enough as some systems have a setting that automatically turns the pump on and can turn the system on while your hand or hand tool is in the pump. I've seen it happen and its not good. Whenever you're working inside a pump that's connected to main power, ALWAYS turn off the main power to the pump first before sticking your hand or a tool inside the pump. The inconvenience of having to reset a clock or some other automated feature is well worth not ruining your pump or suffering possible severe injuries.

Next, cleaning out the impeller port is often not enough. Debris small enough to pass through the pump strainer and yet, large enough to become lodged in the actual impeller itself will significantly reduce water flow through the pump. In this case, the pump will need to be taken apart where the motor and the basket are joined and the impellers will have to be cleaned out. Its not a difficult process but, it is tedious especially when it comes to reassembling the pump.

[JaredBallou]

This is only 2 and a half minutes, but has more useful info than most 20 minute videos. Thanks!

[juliopancheto]

Thank you so much!! I was going to call a pool company to figure out why my pressure was low (6psi). After watching your video, I followed your video and now my pump is running at 20psi. You saved me $$$$ - thank you!!

[vareckwalla]

Man, this has been an issue for years with our pool. No one ever told us about the impeller. Always had low pressure to the polaris, jets had air and our chiller would barely pump water unless at max (sometimes just stop). Cleaned it out for the first time and WOW!! Solved all the problems. This should be the first thing they teach you to do when you get a new pool. Thanks for the video!!

[oldhssst]

Very easy to follow video, very helpful! I really like the cut away to see what you are doing with the screwdriver. Thanks for posting!

[mayorb]

The acid test is to close/block all suction lines and fill the pump pot with as much water as it will hold. Turn on the pump with the pump pot lid off.
The water in the pot should be sucked down immediately. If it does, not an impeller clog issue.

(Maybe a lid o-ring issue which I would have already checked.
Suction leaks and clogged impellers show the same symptoms).

If it goes down less than immediately, we have a clogged impeller.
It would be great if jamming a screwdriver around would resolve this every time. That works for what is in the face of the impeller, but does nothing for debris that is wedged in the vanes of the impeller.

That's one of the things I love about your first pump, the Challenger. No tools needed to open it. I can get in and out of one in a few minutes.
Your second pump, the WhisperFlo, a bit trickier. I have to get behind it and pull out 6 bolts.
Because I've been in this racket long enough to know, that just because I pull leaves out of the impeller face doesn't mean deeper clogs are not in the vanes of the impeller.
Just my 2 cents.
Best regards!

[allandawe]

Greetings from Spain. My pump was down to about 30% power, and after trying everything I knew without success, I found your excellent advice on YouTube. Now back to full power. Thank you so much!

[lucamraule]

You just saved me a HUGE headache. Suction was down at least 60% and after trying everything, this finally got things up and running. Thank you!

[funnyhaha]

So it’s pollen season in central Florida. My water flow through my jets and spilling over from the spa was extremely slow. All baskets clean and filter cleaned. I saw this video and tried cleaning the impeller. It worked like a charm and now it flowing like it did when it was brand new. Easiest repair job ever. Thank you for posting.

[urslageorge]

Thank you!!!! Low suction and was shopping for new pump. Watched your video and had my pool pump fixed in 10 minutes. Thank you.

[TheCandyHole]

OMG thank you for showing the impeller fans, my pressure was low and I cleared all the baskets and thought it would be an expensive fix.
You not only pointing out the impeller clearly & concisely, but also showing a cut out side view of it was the problem, THANK YOU!

[margogould]

I thought I needed a new motor and pump, tried everything else but your video took me down the right track . I got several handful of pepper leaves. Now the water flow and suction is better than when it was new . THANK YOU BOB

[kevinsambleson]

I have this problem today and I thought I was gonna have to call the pool company to come in for a service call. This was exactly my problem and this video solved it for me! So happy!

[MicDropBBQ]

I ordered a new pool cleaner and it was moving kinda slow, just like the old one. I decided to see what the issue could be, and I ran across your video. Low and behold, there was all kinds of stuff in there! Now my little sprayer fountain squirts across the pool again AND the cleaner moves fast! The power of YouTube!

And I thought MY videos were useful. Man, you just saved my summer! Bought this house almost three years ago and NEVER cleaned it. Been cleaning the filters like crazy, thinking it was a filter issue. Nope. Leaves and gunk trapped on this piece. Pulled it all out in a single clump and voila!

Thanks for saving summer...and my pool pump!

[stephanoszunez]

The cut-out is extremely useful for visualisation. Thanks for the video!!

[taureanlivermore]

I’m a pro now! I followed the instructions to the “T” and it worked like a charm. My wife thinks I can fix everything now, and she doesn’t know this video taught me the pool part!

[subsonicflighttraining]

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I had a big accumulation of pine needles that clogged up hoses when cleaning the pool for the first time this year. The flow was reduced and I kept checking hoses. Then I thought, "can they get in the motor, 1 minute of your video solved the problem. Learned something new today about impeller blockage...

[davidsalazar]

Thank you so much, learned something new today. 2yrs as a pool owner 😅
Pool pressure slowed down I was worried and did this pressure back to normal. Thank you

[thomas]

Thank you! I just got my pool filter system back up and running thanks to your video. Took only and short period of time as you described. 👍

[glennes]

I tried everything I could think of. Was waiting for a Pool Service to come when I discovered your video. I had my doubts but did what your video showed and Varoom! Works better than ever! Thanks so much!