Swimming Pool Service Tip: Unclogging Your Impeller

Your pool pump impeller is what creates the flow from your pool to your filter and returns out . This post will show you how to clean your swimming pool pump impeller. Your swimming pool pump impeller is what creates the flow from your pool to your filter and returns out . When the impeller is clogged it reduces the flow. A clear indication of reduced flow from a clogged impeller is… your pump pot might not have full prime. This means your pump basket will not be full with water.

Another indication that you might have a clogged impeller is your pool pump gauge might be reduced. So if it normally set at 30 and it's running at 20, this could be an indication of a clogged impeller or your vacuum might not be working as efficiently or as as normal.

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iPoolsaz
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scottsdale, AZ

In this video we’re going to show you how to clean your impeller.
You can watch the video here:

Using the device, insert into the basket and pump area and scrape for vegetation, debris, and other things that might be blocking your impeller. Lots of debris can be in the impeller especially during the spring with blowing winds and vegetation.

You can watch the video here on youtube:

After you have checked your impeller and removed your debris place your basket back in. You fill up with water to prime, and you put your lid back on making sure the O-ring has not fallen off or is missing.

Next, turn the motor on to ensure priming.

So how often should you check your impeller? Check it on a weekly basis when you check your pump basket for debris. Take a few extra moments to check and clean the impeller. It will help with the flow and to keep your pool crystal clear, ready-to-swim!

Check out some of our other videos:
How often should I drain my pool:

Chemical Inventory List for the Summer:

Chlorine Tabs:

If you have questions about your impeller or any other swimming pool service, maintenance, or repair questions give us a call at 1-[phone]

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How to check and clean your swimming pool impeller

[davidhiraldo]

This guy is amazing. After watching this video I called him and I asked him a question and he was very polite and professional. I told him that I am in NY and it doesn't stopped him to answer my question and help me out. He told me that he is in Arizona.

[janmorrow]

I love his no-nonsense and to the point video! Frustrated viewers don’t need wordy solutions! This was well done! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[bryancoppens]

Roger, THANK YOU for assisting! Not just with impeller cleaning but your vast technical experience in the industry. It is helpful to have skilled technicians such as yourself out there to assist others who are learning new skills each and everyday. Over the years I have found that if I do not learn something new, almost everyday, I am most likely not doing something right. Keep up the effort, summers here, look forward to more videos come fall time!

[lorenpender]

Thank you! You saved me a service call to the pool company. So easy. I have been looking after my pool since 2001 and did not know about this. I will make it part of my checks from now on.

[robertanderson]

Thanks for your vidio. Followed your directions and it fixed my low presure prblem. Good Job

[eddie-xils]

Roger thanks so much. I've had a pool for over 40 years and didn't know this.

[suzannegeddes]

OMG! Thank you. I have spent the last 3 weeks trying to work out why the pool hasn't got a strong filter. Checked absolutely everything (except the impeller😩). I learnt something today and am forever thankful. Cheers to you.

[greentea]

thank you for this and especially for taking the time to show how it looks being cut in half...was very informative!!

[rotfan]

Good demonstration with the side view showing the screwdriver going inside the impeller.

[TimionHjellum]

Thank you. I found what was a plastic bag in the impeller, along with other miscellaneous stuff. I used a wire hanger with a small hook at the end. Perfect!

[MarkFauntleroy]

Perfect video to help explain a simple fix to what would otherwise seem like a perplexing issue of a pump that won't prime and a system that won't reach full pressure. Thanks!

[troweskii]

Thank you big-time I feel like this is the problem I'm having with my pool I'm new to this pool stuff but I'm getting the hang of it thanks to guys like you helping me and I appreciate you taking the time to make this video👊🏾

[zeroo]

My psi was literary zero and after doing this.... omg stoked!!! worked like a charm! thank you from the bottom of my heart.

[maitai]

Thank you Roger! Pump is working perfectly now after unclogging the impeller. I will make this a weekly maintenance check from now on. Keep up the good work!!

[thelooch]

I'm a first-time pool owner, this is my first season. Had no idea the impeller even existed, and thus haven't cleaned it. It was super clogged. This solved my low pressure problem. Huge help, thanks man.

[milosmanojlovic]

Maaaan you just solved MY issue . My pump was making a super off/odd LOUDER noise when I turned it on tonight. So I KNEW man somethings up. Did the screwdriver. LOTS N LOTS of GRASS came right out . Flipped on the switch sounded normal. N all is well now. THANK YOU!!

[dougarent]

I had low pressure, 8 psi when it is usually 12-15, and I knew it wasn't a suction line clog because it was low pressure when in both spa and pool modes. I checked the impeller but not as this gentleman instructed, so I didn't find the clog. I cleared the impeller of leaves and now it is working perfectly again. Thank you True Method and the YouTube community for helping me fix everything in my house and on my vehicles and saving me thousands of dollars.

[Rangia]

Saved me a ton of time. I used to pull the motor side off my old pump and clean it that way. I just tried it this way and was done in 5 minutes.

[planouser]

Yes!! I also had a louder than normal sound out of the pump. This was the problem. Thank you!!

[Ultratteal]

I was away for a few weeks and when I came back my pump pot was full of debris and I cleaned it out and the pump would not prime. I checked several things like the intakes and pool floor drain to see if something was clogged. I was starting to think the pump had overheated and was damaged, and I was going to have to spend hundreds of $ on a new pump. I came across this video and tried it. Bang, that was the issue. The intake had a bunch of debris in it and after cleaning it out with a small screw driver, the pump took off and primed immediately. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE VIDEO! It really saved me to hassle and expense.