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Do water pumps need servicing and how do you maintain them?

Water pumps are the workhorse of many gardens, farms and commercial settings throughout New Zealand, particularly in highly populated areas like Auckland and regions like Northland and Canterbury. Water pumps keep the water flowing, the stock watered, the dairy shed clean, pastures and crops growing and irrigation systems around New Zealand are dependent on them.
With such dependence, it makes perfect sense to keep your water pump Canterbury in tip-top condition. Logically, we know that service at maintenance is key to both the performance and longevity of our water pumps. In practice, servicing and maintenance of water pumps fall into two categories: preventative maintenance and corrective maintenance.

Preventative maintenance
As the name suggests preventative maintenance of water pump Northland aims to prevent a problem from happening. It is important to develop a regular checking schedule where you visually check the pump for any signs of wear and tear, inspect things like bearings and joints and check if the pump is well lubricated.

Corrective maintenance
Corrective maintenance relates to correcting a problem with your water pump after the problem has emerged. Obviously, this is not the preferred option as a broken water pump leads to a range of problems such as downtime on the factory floor, the cows not getting milked or gardens dying. It can also lead to disrupted water supply, not ideal at any time but especially when it relates to drinking water. To avoid unexpected problems, a preventative maintenance approach is best.

So what do you look for if there is a problem with your water pump?
Blockages
If you have noticed a reduction in the amount of water being delivered, then it is quite possible your water pump is becoming clogged. The size of your water pump needs to be able to handle any solids that are likely to pass through. It is important to choose the right water pump for the right job, make sure adequate filtration is in place and check your pump regularly to avoid valves and impellers blocking.

Strange Noise
One of the earliest signs something is amiss with your water pump is it begins to sound different. If you regularly check your water pump you are more likely to pick up on this before a more serious problem develops. Your water pump should sound like a consistent hum or whirring when it is running normally. Clunking, crunching or popping sounds are never good and will likely need investigation by a professional water pump service repair person. Fortunately in New Zealand, they can be easily accessed at Think Water stores such as Auckland, Canterbury and Northlands.

Vibration or shaking
If your water pump is excessively vibrating or shaking it will need further investigation. The solution could be as simple as realignment and rebalancing. More serious problems could cause permanent damage and should be addressed immediately.

Rust or Corrosion
Rusting or corrosion of the pump causes structural damage to the water pump. Look for any obvious signs of cracking or discolouration to avoid pump failure, weakening of pump components and contamination.

Overheating
Water pumps can overheat for a number of reasons. Perhaps you are overloading it and asking it to do too much for its capacity, perhaps the power source is not appropriate for the pump or there could be internal problems like rubbing or wearing parts. Overheating is never good and needs prompt attention.
Your water pump expert at Think Water will be able to help you develop a service and maintenance schedule for your water pump. In much the same way as you would regularly service your car based on either the time since your last service or how many km the motor has done, a water pump service schedule also relates to time and usage. Always remember that preventive maintenance is the best way to go and put reminders in place so you don’t forget to get your water pump serviced.
For help with this contact your nearest Think Water store:
https://www.thinkwater.co.nz/store-locator/