Submersible pumps are a vital component of dredging equipment, which makes various dredging projects possible. Maintaining your submersible pump is vital for extending its lifespan, keeping it running efficiently, reducing downtime, preventing costly repairs and complying with the pump’s warranty. By following a handful of easy tips and steps, you can easily maintain your submersible pumps to ensure their best performance.
What Is a Submersible Pump?
Submersible pumps are an essential component of dredging equipment. With a submersible pump, the whole pump — motor included — is submerged under water or in slurry and operates to remove debris and sediments from bodies of water.
To effectively handle high concentrations of sediment and much, submersible pumps have a durable construction. They can withstand abrasive materials and heavy-duty operations. They are made with robust, wear-resistant materials to handle the harsh environments one encounters when dredging. Submersible pumps can be hydraulically or electronically operated and may have features like variable speed control to match specific dredging requirements.
Submersible pumps make several dredging applications possible, including:
- Maintaining harbors, marinas, channels and trade routes
- Maintaining and restoring lakes and ponds
- Environmental dredging
- Environmental remediation
- Flood control
How to Maintain Submersible Pumps: 4 Tips for Pump Care
Caring for your submersible pump requires a good maintenance schedule and a fair amount of commitment and intention. Streamline the process with these four tips for pump maintenance best practices:
1. Prioritize Safety Preparation and PPE
Prioritizing your safety before you inspect and clean your submersible pump is crucial. Before inspecting the pump or starting any maintenance tasks, you must safely disconnect the pump from its power source. Wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) is also essential for every step of carrying out the maintenance. Appropriate PPE may include gloves, eye protection and respiratory protection to protect yourself from breathing in sediment and muck residue when cleaning the pump.
In preparation for maintaining and cleaning the pump, do a visual inspection to ensure there are no signs of damage like leaks, cracks and abrasions. If you notice any extensive damage, contact a submersible pump expert before proceeding.
2. Clean the Debris
To clean the exterior, you may use a pressure washer on an appropriate setting to clear loose debris, sediment buildup and mud from the pump’s exterior. However, it is crucial to be mindful of sensitive components, and if you are unsure, it is better to use a few microfiber cloths and a mild cleaning solution.
You can then move to clean the impeller — the rotating steel disc. These blades are incredibly sharp, making it essential to wear gloves and work carefully while you clean them. Follow manufacturer instructions for removing the casing to access the impeller, then carefully remove any debris, such as stones or vegetation. You can use a wire brush to carefully clean hardened deposits. Cleaning the impeller is the perfect chance to check for any corrosion or other signs of damage. While you have the casing removed, take the opportunity to also clean it and inspect it.
As a final step for cleaning and removing debris, check the pump’s discharge line — the pipe that carries water away to a suitable drainage area. To clean it, flush the line with clean water to remove sediment and prevent an accumulation of debris that could clog the pump.
3. Inspect the Motor
Simple checks can suffice for maintaining the pump’s motor and are essential for determining if you need a professional inspection. You can do the following to conduct a simple inspection of the motor:
- If you have access to one, you can use a megohmmeter — or an insulation resistance tester — to measure the motor’s electrical insulation resistance. Low resistance can indicate that the motor is damaged.
- Examine the electrical connections for any sign of damage.
- Check that the cooling passages are not obstructed.
- Check the pump’s seals to ensure that water cannot enter the motor’s housing. Look for leaks or damage and follow manufacturer instructions for replacing the seal if needed.
4. Lubricate Bearings
This step is only necessary if the pump’s bearings are not sealed. If the bearings are accessible, you can lubricate them with a high-quality, appropriate grease. Look for lubricants that meet the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Submersible Pump Troubleshooting
Explore these common problems and how to resolve them.
Noise
A worrying noise can be the result of cavitation, where vapor bubbles form and collapse within the liquid being pumped due to pressure drops. Cavitation can cause vibrations that can damage the pump’s components and can result in reduced efficiency. You can troubleshoot by ensuring the intake is not blocked, reducing the pump’s flow rate or speed and increasing inlet pressure by reducing suction lift.
Noises may also happen if bearings are damaged, worn or not lubricated enough. You can simply lubricate the bearings and replace worn ones as needed to troubleshoot.
Power Supply Issues
Power supply issues can include everything from the pump not starting and power surges to cable damage, loose connections and overloading or running the pump beyond its rated capacity. Power supply issues should be taken seriously as they can cause lasting damage to the motor and can be a safety concern.
You can check the wiring and inspect the voltage using a multimeter, as well as check for signs of overloading — including overheating. It is imperative to disconnect the pump from all power supplies and use PPE for all your checks. The best route if you are experiencing power supply issues is to consult a professional.
Clogging
Clogging is a common issue as submersible pumps are constantly exposed to various types of solid sediment, grease and biofilm. Clogging can noticeably reduce the pump’s efficiency and can lead to motor damage. To troubleshoot, you can disconnect the pump from its power source, check the intake screen and impellers for clogged debris, and clean it carefully.
When to Contact a Professional
Submersible pumps are marvelous inventions — they are robust, powerful and intricate — and sometimes maintaining and troubleshooting them yourself is not sufficient. You should definitely contact a professional if you are ever unsure of how to safely maintain your pump, if you don’t have the correct tools and PPE, if the pump is experiencing electrical issues and if parts are damaged and need to be repaired or replaced.
Contact GeoForm International for Submersible Pump Care
Following a good maintenance routine is vital for getting the most out of your submersible pump and dredging equipment. At GeoForm International, we understand the importance of maintaining your high-quality dredging equipment to ensure efficient performance that streamlines your dredging operations.
We provide industry-leading submersible pumps and solutions, including dredge parts and repairs, for a wide range of industries. Our dedicated customer service team is ready to assist with any of your submersible pump maintenance questions and needs, and we offer support, troubleshooting and diagnosis over the phone and in person. When needed, we also offer support for re-powers and rebuilds.
Explore our services and products today, including our Dino6 Sediment Removal System — a cost-effective and portable submersible hydraulic dredge with a four-cylinder diesel engine and a 66-inch-wide cutter head. You can also contact us now for expert submersible pump maintenance services!