Is your filter pressure running low or does your pump motor sound strained? Was your pool pressure fine a week or so ago? Do you have an automatic floor vacuum that is barely moving on the pool floor? If you answered “Yes” to any or all of these questions, your pump impeller could be clogged with debris. This especially holds true if you have palm trees around your pool as the fine hairs of the palms tend to clog things up. The location of the pool pump impeller is shown in this cut-away of a pool pump.
Click Here to View our Replacement Pool Pump Parts
Damian Posted: 7/20/2022
having a trouble finding why I cant prime my filter. First the skimmer basket is full of water. which pushes it into the pump and my pump basket fills. But then the skimmer fully drains and then the pump basket emptiesReply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 7/22/2022
If the pool's water level is correct, the skimmer shouldn't drain entirely of water. Is the pool's water level halfway up the skimmer opening?Reply
Nick Posted: 5/15/2022
Thank you! This was exactly the information I needed to solve my impeller problem. The explanation was very clear and specific. Compliments to you for the good deed. You made my day better. NickReply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 5/23/2022
Awesome! Thank you for reading.Reply
Carlo Posted: 5/13/2022
Hey guy’s, I had the same problem, low pressure. I did step by step and we couldn’t believe how much stuff we pulled out of the pump. Now it runs perfect. You saved us a ton of money! Thank you so much!Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 5/25/2022
Awesome! Saved money is the best money.Reply
Loren Posted: 5/11/2022
3 Pool Stores, 100s of $$ , changing out DE and cleaning the grids because algae bloom is a way of life due to poor filtering…and being told by 2 technicians I need a new pump, (mine is 2 yrs old) and I need new manifolds, grid, that I have air leaks…so I re plumbed my system…. Not 1 supposedly learned person I asked about the diminishing flow during filtering mentioned this issue with my propeller. I’ll be out there first light to clean out my pump…oh please let this be the issue ??Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 5/26/2022
Was the impeller the cause of your low flow issue?Reply
Gia Posted: 4/27/2022
Hi, got a question on Step 10, please. So when I put water in the pump basket and fill to the top to help it prime, while I remove the water hose and put on the pump lid, the water I just put in there drains, such that the pump basket is only like 30% full anymore by the time I am ready to turn on the pump! Sometimes there are big 'gulp' noises as the water leaves the basket (lid off at that time). Is this normal? If normal, then where does that water drain to, and how can I ever correctly prime the pump if the water won't stay in the pump basket? Sorry if this sounds stupid, I am a newbie with just enough confidence to be really dangerous...Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 5/11/2022
How To Determine Why a Pool Pump Won't Prime. I'd go through the linked guide to narrow down the possibilities causing the priming issue, The dropping water level after you remove the pump could be partly due to water displacement of the hose.Reply
John Posted: 4/4/2022
Thank you thank you thank you ! Was ready to call AHS. I saw this forum and WHAMO ! Had pressure at about 5 Richter gauge. I followed instructions and cleaned the impeller and put her back together pressure shot up like you would not believe. Thanks again.Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 4/14/2022
You're welcome; glad to help.Reply
Bobby Lewis Posted: 3/26/2022
I've can't remember when such clear advice was given before asking of anything in return. Thank you so much. When I buy a pool part I'll buy it through you guys if at all possible. If that's tough because I still have to get someone out in Lake Worth, FL to do the install and they have something on their truck then I'll get some pool supplies. Thank you for your generosity with advice. I'm grateful. -BobbyReply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 3/28/2022
Thank you, Bobby. We're happy to help in any way we can.Reply
Jeff Posted: 5/2/2021
Thank you ... I was struggling until I saw this videoReply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 5/13/2021
Awesome!Reply
Marilyn Posted: 2/25/2021
Thank you! My neighbor's pine tree is the culprit. The needles go right through the skimmer basket and the pump basket. 15 minutes of clean out and we're back to circulating perfectly!Reply
Anonymous Posted: 1/2/2021
I’ve seen many videos, this is the first that explains the propeller-which was the culprit all along. Thank you!Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 1/4/2021
Great! Thanks for reading.Reply
Chris Posted: 7/18/2020
Great advice. Thanks. It worked perfectly.Reply
Tina Posted: 6/22/2020
This fix seems simple however, what can be used as an alternative to a wire hanger when there are no wire hangers available?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 10/6/2020
I digress, you can use a plumbing snake. There is a higher chance of having a wire hanger on hand than a plumbing snake though.Reply
Craig Olson Posted: 6/12/2020
Saved my bacon today. Thanks for the helpful information.Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 10/20/2020
You're welcome. Thanks for reading!Reply
Jenn Posted: 5/24/2020
Best site ever! I cannot believe how much stuff was jammed in there!!Reply
Brad Posted: 5/12/2020
Inyopools saves the day yet again!!! Thanks for all you post. You’ve saved me thousands in maintenance calls. Thank you again!!!Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 11/10/2020
You're welcome! Thank you for reading.Reply
David D Posted: 4/7/2020
Thank you so much! This video saved the day!!!Reply
Jessica Posted: 4/7/2020
This saved us today. The water is moving so much better after cleaning out the impeller. It didn’t even seem like a lot of debris. Thank you!!Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 4/7/2020
Awesome! You're welcome.Reply
Mark Posted: 3/15/2020
Thanks for the advice. I had low pressure too and yep the issue was the pump impeller was clogged. Pressure is back now and the pool cleaner is doing its job again. So easy to fix!Reply
Michelle Posted: 2/8/2020
Thank you so much for the advice! My pump basket had a crack in it and let a bunch of leaves through to the impeller. Your instructions were perfect! My impeller is clean and my pool is back to normal.Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 2/10/2020
Awesome! Thanks for dropping byReply
Jim Posted: 1/11/2020
Wow, your trick if cleaning out the impeller was $$$! Than you so much for all your i site. My Saturday is now complete. Great website. Thank you, jimReply
bob h Posted: 11/28/2019
Thank you. Was ready to order a new pump today... and on a whim scanned internet and found this article. My impeller WAS clogged. Not much... but enough to restrict water flow. Thank you so much. Amazing.Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Robert M. Posted: 12/4/2019
Thanks for the feedback, Bob! We're glad you found this guide beneficial.Reply
M Allen Posted: 11/25/2019
Thank you for this video, it was exactly the problem I had and I followed your directions exactly and was amazed at how easy it was to unclog. My pool pump pressure is normal again. :-)Reply
Alison Langley Posted: 11/2/2019
Great tip - thank you for sharing. Worked perfectly.Reply
Christine Wood Posted: 7/30/2019
You're instructions saved me a lot of money. I'm a single 46 year old woman and I followed your tutorial, it fixed my pool pump with no issues!!! Thank you!!!Reply
Christine Wood Posted: 7/30/2019
You're instructions saved me a lot of money. I'm a single 46 year old woman and I followed your tutorial, it fixed my pool pump with no issues!!! Thank you!!!Reply