Understanding water pump repairs and maintenance

Got a water pump that needs fixing and unsure if you should call an electrician or a plumber? Maybe you’re thinking of installing a water pump and not sure who to call first. Here are a few things you need to know about fixing a water pump and how an electrician can help.

Do I call a plumber, an electrician or do it myself?

Water pumps are a mix of plumbing and electrical, which can sometimes make it hard to know who to call when you need help with water pump repairs.

Before you get caught in the to and fro between trades, it’s important to know the golden rule  – which applies to any appliance or equipment – hard-wired devices are connected directly to the electrical framework of a building and must be worked on by a registered electrician.

Not only will this keep you safe, it’s the law in New Zealand.

Why it’s worth getting in the professionals

While it may tempting to do a DIY job, it’s a smarter choice to go with a professional. An electrician has a much greater understanding of not only how to safely work on the water pump, as well as disconnect and reconnect the pump, but can also quickly solve the problem – ideally with a permanent solution. An electrician will know what to look for and how to quickly identify the issue which should mean fixing the water pump can happen quickly and efficiently.

How to avoid the breakdowns: Water pump maintenance

Regular maintenance on water pumps

A regular maintenance schedule for water pumps and irrigations systems is a good way to avoid costly emergency call-outs and major breakdowns. Set up a regular maintenance schedule with your electrician, and you’ll know that things like safeties, earths, and contacts are in good shape as well as panel settings and drives are all functioning correctly.

Frost protection

A good water pump can easily set you back a few thousand dollars, so it’s not an item that you want to be replacing too often. Frost is a water pump killer, particularly in the cold Central Otago winters. Some simple frost protection can help protect your expensive investment.

Residual water in the pump expands while metal can contract in sub-zero temperatures. This can lead to burst hoses, cracked casings, and in some cases, having to replace the entire water pump. Frost protection for your water pump during winter can help prevent major headaches.

Check for watertightness

When your electrician installs a water pump or comes to repair your water pump, one of the most important things they’ll check for is watertight electrical connections. If there is a water leak into the electrical supply or into the pump, it can create a failure requiring a big repair job or pump replacement.

Emergency power supply

Emergencies happen. Whether it’s a freak snowstorm that brings down powerlines or a mains failure your water pump is at the mercy of mains power supply. If you rely on your water pump to run your property and you couldn’t survive for a few hours, let alone a few days without it, you’ll need to consider a generator as a backup option.

Installing a generator is a relatively straight forward process. After purchasing a generator, you’ll need to get an electrician to install a generator switch that meets your supply needs. Once you’re all set up, you can relax knowing you will always have a backup option to keep things running.

Installing a new water pump

Time for a new water pump? Here are a few things your electrician can talk you through if you’re thinking of putting in a water pump.

Getting power to site

You’ll need to get power before you can get a water pump. Part of the process of installing a new water pump is determining where there is available power and if it will require running new cables, this is most likely if the water pump is to sit in a shed or out-building. Running new cables require digging a trench – and making sure no other services are accidentally dug up in the process.

Your electrician will determine the distance and load and calculate what is required to get power to the water pump’s location. It can be a big job, and the right electrician will take you through all of the planning and installation.

Is there enough power supply?

If you’re installing a new water pump, you’ll need to check there is enough power supply to meet demand. You may have enough water supply, but do you have the power supply. An electrician will determine whether there is the correct power available to run the pump or if it’s necessary to install additional lines.

Water pump location

Should be enclosed. Frost protection

If you’re handy, you can connect water pipes to a simple water pump yourself. But in many cases, it may be worth getting the plumber in. But any hard-wired water pumps will require an electrician to do the job.

Need help installing a water pump or water pump repairs?

Give us a call, we’re happy to talk you through water pumps particularly if you’re on a lifestyle block or rural property.