IV. Pump Leaks
Pumps can leak for several reasons. The most likely is the seal on the pump. The
seal is a 2 section construction. Basically the seal has ½ of the seal that’s a
ceramic ring with a rubber boot to seal in a seat on the main body or bracket of
the seal. The other ½ slides onto the impellor shaft and contains a rubber seal
and has a steel spring to compress both ½’s to seal. There are 3 rubber parts of
the seal that can leak.
Next possibility is the rubber o-ring that seals the 2 halves of the pump together.
If you have leak from there make sure the bolts or screws that hold the halves
together are tight or not stripped. The ½’s of the pump must be tight together.
Rarely but possible are the o-ring seals of the pump union seals. These are the
seals where the plumbing connects to the pump. This is call a union and has a o-
ring. Usually you can hand tighten the union and stop the drips.
Finally, in rare exceptions the pump body has a crack.
For me, I have found that replacing the whole pump makes sense. Often you
replace the part you think is leaking, fill the spa and turn it on and find it still
leaking. Therefore, it makes sense for time and effort to replace the pump. It’s the
only option I give my customers.
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