Templates

Pool pump preventive maintenance checklist

In short

This pool pump preventive maintenance checklist gives a maintenance team a sensible order of checks, from safe isolation through the strainer basket, seals, motor and flow, to logging the result. Run it as an inspection template in Cohiva Control and a failed item raises a work order automatically, with versioned, immutable records you can audit. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions and any applicable standards for intervals and measurements.

Pool pump preventive maintenance checklist

A pool circulation pump runs long hours and moves a lot of water, so small problems compound quickly. A leaking seal that goes unnoticed becomes a flooded plant room, and a strainer basket left full starves the pump and overheats the motor. A short, repeatable preventive maintenance routine catches these early. This checklist sets out a sensible order of checks for a maintenance technician, and shows how to run it inside Cohiva Control so the result is logged and any failure becomes a tracked job.

Treat the items below as practical guidance. For intervals, torque figures and any specific measurements, follow the manufacturer’s instructions and any applicable standards rather than a generic number.

Before you start

Safety first. Confirm the pump and its supply can be safely isolated, follow your site’s lockout procedure, and let the motor cool if it has been running. Have the asset record open in Cohiva Control so you can log readings against the right pump, and note the current meter reading if you depreciate the asset on usage.

  • Confirm the maintenance window and that the area is safe to work in.
  • Isolate the pump and motor and apply your lockout procedure.
  • Confirm you have the right asset selected in Cohiva Control.
  • Note any reported faults since the last service.

Check the strainer and suction side

The strainer basket protects the pump impeller. A clogged basket reduces flow and works the motor harder.

  • Close the relevant valves and relieve pressure before opening the strainer pot.
  • Remove and clean the strainer basket; check it for cracks or distortion.
  • Inspect the strainer lid seal or O-ring for wear and seat it correctly on reassembly.
  • Check suction-side fittings and unions for weeping or air leaks.

Check the pump and motor

With the suction side reassembled, look over the pump body and the motor.

  • Inspect the pump housing for cracks, corrosion and weeping at the volute.
  • Check the mechanical seal area for drips, which usually signal a seal due for replacement.
  • Listen and feel for unusual bearing noise or vibration once running.
  • Check the motor for overheating, dust build-up on cooling fins and clear ventilation.
  • Confirm guards and the coupling cover are in place and secure.

Check flow, pressure and the wider circuit

  • Read the suction and discharge gauges and compare against the normal range for this pump.
  • Confirm the pump primes and holds prime without drawing air.
  • Check filter pressure and note whether a backwash or filter service is due.
  • Inspect visible pipework and supports for leaks, movement or strain.

Log and close out

This is where the routine pays off. Record what you found while you are still at the pump.

  • Mark each item pass or fail in the inspection.
  • Capture photos of anything worn or damaged.
  • Log meter or run-hour readings if you track them.
  • Remove the lockout, return the pump to service and confirm normal operation.

In Cohiva Control, a failed item can raise a work order automatically, so a worn seal or a noisy bearing becomes a scheduled repair with the photo attached. Because inspection records are versioned and immutable once submitted, you keep a clear history of every service on that pump, which is useful both for reliability tracking and for the asset’s maintenance record.

Part of the Cohiva platform

Cohiva Control is part of the Cohiva platform. Aquatic and leisure operators often run it with Cohiva Complex for centre management, and finance teams connect it to Cohiva Crunch for the general ledger. Explore the platform at www.cohiva.app.

Frequently asked questions

How often should a pool pump be serviced?
Follow the manufacturer's recommended schedule and your own duty cycle. A high duty centre pump usually needs more frequent attention than a lightly loaded one, so set the interval to suit your equipment rather than a generic number.
Can I turn this checklist into a recurring job?
Yes. In Cohiva Control you can build it as an inspection template attached to a preventive maintenance schedule, so it generates a work order on a time or meter interval and tracks completion against the schedule.
What happens when a check fails?
A failed inspection item can automatically raise a work order, so a leaking seal or a tripped motor becomes a tracked repair rather than a note that gets lost. The inspection record itself is versioned and immutable once submitted.
Who should carry out the work?
Mechanical and general checks suit a competent maintenance technician, but any electrical work on the motor or supply must be done by a licensed and qualified person, following site isolation procedures.
Does the checklist make me compliant?
No. It supports your own inspection regime and keeps a clear record. Confirm your obligations and the correct intervals against the manufacturer's instructions, the equipment standards and your site's requirements.