Can Pool Pumps Get Wet? Pool Equipment Tips

Pool pumps run water through their plumbing around the clock, but can they get wet from rain, garden hoses, or snow? I worked in the swimming pool industry for a few years, and you might be surprised by the way water can wreak havoc on pool equipment.

Pool pumps can get wet, but broken seals can cause water leaks that damage the motor, shaft seal, and capacitor. Check all of your pool pump’s seals and gaskets before it rains to ensure they won’t leak. Water leaks can rust the motor bearings, causing you to replace the motor.

Below, I’ll show you why water usually won’t damage a pool pump, but why you should take caution. Pool pumps can handle water in the plumbing and the basket. However, water should never breach the shaft seal or get behind the impeller.

Can Water Damage a Pool Pump?

Water can damage a pool pump by rusting the motor bearings, removing the lubricant from the shaft seal, and corroding the wire terminals. Additionally, leaky gaskets will allow water to damage the pool pump’s capacitor, which is necessary to power the pump.

I’ve seen plenty of pumps get ruined by water, which might seem ironic considering the fact that their sole purpose is to move water through a filter.

Here’s a list of potential damage water can cause to your pool pump:

• Excess water pressure can wear down the pump gaskets. This happens when your pool pump is set at its highest RPM (which is usually 3,450 RPMs). While many pumps can handle high-speed water circulation, older pumps should never run at max speed.
• Water can damage the motor bearings if it gets through the shaft seal. The only way I’ve noticed this issue is when the impeller, housing gasket, or pump seal (also known as the shaft seal) is broken or cracked. Once this happens, you’ll have to rebuild the pool pump. Always lubricate your pump’s O-rings and gaskets to prevent dry cracks.
• A worn capacitor gasket will let the water soak the capacitor wires and terminals. Many pool pumps have gaskets mounted on the side or top of the motor. The capacitor is the pump’s battery. If it gets wet, the pump won’t work (it usually buzzes a lot, too).
• Flooding can damage a pool pump, especially if the motor is submerged. In the Swim reports that trees, bushes, and other plants can trap water and soak the motor, too. You can prevent flooding and other sources of natural water damage by elevating your pool pump or keeping it far from plants (and your pool, if possible).

One of the quickest ways to know if your pump’s gaskets and O-rings wear out or leak is if the pool pump loses pressure. This happens because air bubbles get into the system, preventing the pump from having a watertight seal. It can also cause pool vacuums to slow down.

Can a Pool Pump Be Left in the Rain?

A pool pump can be left in the rain, but it’s best to cover the pump with a motor cover, a canopy umbrella, or a pool equipment enclosure. While pool equipment is designed to get wet, long-term exposure to water will eventually corrode the pump seals and soak the electrical components.

While a pool pump can be left in the rain, minor leaks can cause serious equipment problems. For example, it can cause pool heater gas leaks, filter PSI fluctuations, and clogs due to algae growth. Rain contains phosphates, which encourage algae blooms.

Sabine Pools also mentions small rainstorms can flood your pool motor. A flooded motor is practically impossible to repair. I’ve had several customers approach me with soaked pool motors, but they’re never worth repairing.

If you’re worried about leaving your pool pump out in the rain, I suggest covering it. The Blue Devil Adjustable Motor Cover works with almost any pool motor around. Place the cover over the pool pump, adjust the bracket, and enjoy your dry pump. It also prevents sunlight damage to the motor.

Consider these alternative options to cover your pool pump during a rainy day:

• Place a canopy umbrella over the pump to give it plenty of breathability without allowing water to damage the motor.
• Build a small wooden box around your equipment pad, ensuring it’s at least three feet above the pump and all other pool equipment.
• If you don’t plan to run the pump when it rains or snows, put a tarp over it (never operate your pool equipment with tarps or fabric covers, though).

Is It OK to Run a Pool Pump When It’s Raining?

It’s OK to run a pool pump when it’s raining, as long as there aren’t any leaks in or around the pump. Pool pumps can get quite wet since they have to push and pull thousands of gallons of water daily. Turn off your pump if it starts screeching or grinding since this is a sign of wet motor bearings.

Rain can cause all sorts of pool problems, but not too many of these issues cause pump motors to fail. If your pool pump is in good condition and its seals are tight and lubricated, there’s a very slim chance that water will damage the motor.

However, you should know the following concerns about running a pool pump when it rains:

• Rainwater can reduce your pool salt levels because it dilutes the swimming pool water.
• Running a pool pump when it’s wet or raining can bring air bubbles into the filtration system.
• Your pool cleaner floats when there’s too much air from the rain oxygenating the pool water.

While you might be worried about damaging your pool pump when it’s wet, optimal water circulation is crucial when it rains. Rainwater contains thousands of contaminants that get into the swimming pool, even if you have a cover (unless it’s a hard pool cover).

These contaminants can cause massive algae blooms and discoloration if you don’t run the pool pump. I always recommend that pool owners turn on their pumps during or right after a rainy day. This allows the pump to pump debris into the filter before it grows a lot of algae.