Hayward Pool Products - Contact Us - Frequently Asked Questions

Pumps

	What should I use as a lubricant for my o-rings and gaskets?
	Can I boost my motor’s horsepower for increased water flow?
	Can I replace my motor with a lower horsepower motor?
	Is it okay that my pump motor is warm to the touch?
	Do I need to keep grass, shrubs, and vegetation away from my motor?
	Can I run my pump without water?
	How does my in-ground Pump operate?
	Do I need to have a strainer basket in my pump pot?
	How do I winterize my pump?
	How many hours per day should I run my pump?

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What should I use as a lubricant for my o-rings and gaskets?

Hayward recommends a silicone or Teflon based lubricant for all o-rings and gaskets. Jack’s 327, by Hayward, is the best for the job. Other lubricants may cause premature failure and swelling of the o-rings and gaskets. NEVER USE PETROLEUM JELLY for a lubricant. Its’ oils will break down the rubber of the gasket or o-ring.

Can I boost my motor’s horsepower for increased water flow?

In most cases the answer is no. The size of the plumbing and all other equipment must be considered. Contact an authorized Hayward dealer with hydraulics experience for assistance.

Can I replace my motor with a lower horsepower motor?

Horsepower is matched with the impeller inside the pump. Having a larger impeller on a smaller horsepower motor will cause premature failure of the motor. It is better to replace it with the same horsepower.

Is it okay that my pump motor is warm to the touch?

Many pump motors are warm or somewhat hot to the touch. This is normal in most cases. All motors come with a thermal overload protection that will shut the motor off if it becomes too hot for safe operation.

Do I need to keep grass, shrubs, and vegetation away from my motor?

Always keep the pool equipment clear and ensure that there is nothing growing over the motor. If insects are a large problem in your area, treat for insects. The air circulation around the motor is crucial for proper operation. Failure to ensure proper air circulation will reduce the life of the equipment.

Can I run my pump without water?

Hayward Pool pumps should never operate without water. The pump seal assembly in the pump volute (The area between the strainer basket and the pump motor) protects the pump motor from pool water. This seal assembly gets hot and is cooled by the pool water. If the pump is running without water, the seal will overheat and melt, If left running without water for a long period of time, the heat generated could damage the PVC pipe and other system components.

How does my in-ground Pump operate?

Hayward in-ground pumps are self-priming centrifugal pumps.These pumps have a vacuum chamber, commonly known as a pump housing.
The pump housing must be filled with water in order to create a vacuum, resulting in the pump drawing the water out of your pool or spa. The pump housing will remain full of water while the pump is on, and will remain full or partially full when the pump is shut off.
When powered on, the motor will begin to rotate. 2-speed pumps will power on a pre-selected speed or with some controllers, it will cycle at high before changing to the lower speed. The motor spins the pump impeller, located inside the pump volute. While the motor is rotating, the tips of the impeller are hydraulically sealed inside the pump diffuser, which is responsible for self-priming.
Self-priming can only occur if the pump has a diffuser—all inground Hayward pumps have an internal diffuser. It helps to eliminate any air approaching into the pump housing from the suction piping. As all the air is removed from the system, you will notice bubbles returning to the pool through the return fittings. A full prime occurs when the bubbles stop returning to the pool and the pump basket is full of water. The filter pressure will rise as the pump reaches full prime. The actual gallons per minute (GPM) vary with the type of pump, horsepower, pipe size, distance from pool and other restrictions within the plumbing system.
Hayward self-priming pumps are very dependable and simple in design. They require a sufficient supply of water from the pool or spa, and no air in the suction lines. Air could come from a loose strainer cover, a leak in any valve, a pinhole in any suction line or a crack or loose connections in the underground piping.

Do I need to have a strainer basket in my pump pot?

Yes. Without the strainer basket, debris will clog the impeller in the pump volute causing the pump to cease moving water. Be sure to clean your strainer basket, as well as the skimmer baskets, so water flow is not obstructed and the pump is not overworked.

How do I winterize my pump?

To winterize a Hayward Pool pump, turn off the electrical circuit breaker that supplies power to the pump. Also, make sure that there is NO water left inside the pump. All Hayward pumps are equipped with drain plugs that will allow excess water to drain once the plugs are removed. Contact your local Hayward dealer for proper winterization procedures.

How many hours per day should I run my pump?

There are many factors to consider; bather load, gallons of water, pump horsepower, type and size of filter just to name a few. A good guideline is 8-10 hours a day. On the cooler days and early and late season, you can cut the run time down to 4-6 hours because there is usually less swimmers and cooler water requires less chemicals. In peak season, when it is the hottest, raising the run time to 10-12 hours per day will help to keep the pool clean and circulating during it’s time of heaviest use.