How to Clean a Water Pump – Whether Centrifugal Or Submersible Pumps

Water pumps are essential parts of a household to ensure constant water flow. They require regular maintenance and cleaning for them to function effectively. An uncleaned water pump will cause contamination of the water, leading to illness. If this is your first time thinking about cleaning your water pump and you have no clue, this guide will explain to you exactly how to clean your water pump.

How to Clean a Water Pump - Steps


Step 1: Prep Your Field of Work

Cleaning your water pump is not a challenging task. It is relatively fast and straightforward, depending on your speed and skill. Before you begin cleaning, you should wear a protective cloth to avoid water splashing on you, or dirt creating a mess on you. Ensure you are working on a clean space and nothing can get in the way.

Step 2: Remove the Pump Cover

Water pumps have various types and designs, for example, the centrifugal pump and the submersible water pump. These pumps come with covers that secure the pump's interiors. If your water pump is reinforced and sealed with screws, use your screwdriver to get them out. Detach the promoter cap of the impulses.

Step 3: Begin Washing

This is the most challenging work, which surprisingly takes a few minutes to complete. Using a clean rag, clean each component of the water pump one by one until there is no debris on the metal.

You can polish the impulse rod using steel wool, ensuring gentle strokes to prevent scratching. If the pump is used for water dispensers or anywhere where food comes into contact, do not use excessive soap to wash the interior of the pump, since it may leave soap residues.

Step 4: Reattach the Promoter

After checking the water pump parts, reinstall them and ensure they are clean and safe. Secure with the cover and tighten it adequately.

Step 5: Assess Your Water Pump

Fill a bucket with 5 gallons of clean water and use it to test if the pump is functioning accordingly. You can also use a hose to confirm the smooth flow of the water. If there is ant challenge, you can open the pump again, check for any missed part and rectify.

How to Clean Your Centrifugal Pump

The cleaning quality of centrifugal pump influences the quality of mechanical issues in the device. The bonded parts and the plating covers should be cleaned to the highest standards. The centrifugal pump should be cleaned in parts. If you don’t clean in parts, maintenance could pose a challenge. Below is how to clean your centrifugal water pump in details.

  • Clean rust and debris on the pump housing’s joint surfaces.
  • Check if the seal tube is open and clean it.
  • Graze off the rust accumulated on the interior and exterior surfaces of bearings, seal rings, and impellers. Clean them with compressed air or water.
  • Get rid of grease, wash the bearings, and tidy the oil ring as well as the oil level gauge. Use gasoline to clean the ball bearings.
  • The unassembled parts should be covered by oil after cleaning. 

While cleaning centrifugal water pump parts, ensure corrosion of precision parts does not occur. The standards of the degree of cleanliness should be met entirely. Ensure your safety and protection of the environment.

How to Clean Your Submersible Water Pump

  1. 1
    Switch off the electricity flow to the water pump. This eliminates the chances of an electric shock while cleaning your water pump.
  2. 2
    Wear gloves to keep you clean. Check inside the well for the location of the pump. Removing the water pump may be a little tricky. Therefore, get someone to help you remove it gently. The other person will hold the rope tied to the water pump and pull it up.
  3. 3
    Check for the water inlet which is usually located between the top and the bottom of the water pump. Brim a bucket with water and mix with detergent. Shake the filter and pump rapidly in the water to get rid of the debris. Use a thin brush to clean the interior parts that are hard to reach.
  4. 4
    Clean the stubborn dirt using rubbing alcohol on a dry cloth. Rinse the pump with clean water and if the filter is extremely dirty or spoilt, consider replacing it.
  5. 5
    Reattach the cleaned filter to the water pump and the tubing’s end to it as well. Carefully return the pump into its original position in the well. Switch the electricity to confirm if the pump is still functioning correctly. Replace the cover after ensuring its working correctly.

Cleaning your water pump regularly is one method of maintaining its durability and efficiency. Besides cleaning, there are various other ways you can maintain your water pump to keep running efficiently for long. Tip for maintaining and cleaning water pumps include;

Daily water pump maintenance

You should consistently check to ensure that the speed of flowing water matches the horsepower output. Check, for fissure, wear and tear, or leakages.

Monthly maintenance

Monthly maintenance is aimed at reducing unnecessary repair costs. It includes;

  1. 1
    Ensuring the pump is raised steadily on the base.
  2. 2
    Assessing and mending seals.
  3. 3
    Oil bearings according to specifications.
  4. 4
    Checking and changing the motor couplings for efficient transfer and output. 

Annual maintenance

This is preferably conducted by professionals since they are well trained in the field. Technicians perform various exercises such as;

  1. 1
    Repairing and restoring bearings.
  2. 2
    Assessing the pump to fine-tune.
  3. 3
    Correcting any other faulty parts.
  4. 4
    Conduct vibrations and temperature tests to ensure the motor is functioning appropriately.

Elevating efficiency via maintenance

Your pump should get regular maintenance to avoid overhead and avoidable damage. You can use a small booster pump to support the output.

Special gears for pumps

A vibration analyzer should be used to discover abnormal water flows and ensure it is running correctly.

It is crucial to ensure that before cleaning and maintenance, the electricity flow is switched off.

Bottom Line

Regular cleaning of your water pump, whether centrifugal or submersible, ensures proper functioning of the machine. It also ensures your water is not contaminated with rust or dirt from the metals. I hope now you know How to Clean a Water Pump although If you feel uncomfortable cleaning your pumps on your own, you should hire professional water pump cleaners to assist you.

About the Author Seth Gold

Seth Gold is a Blogger and Writer, Writing for the last 3 years on Home improvement, DIY, Gardening, and many more things where people get the latest free product information and buying guide.

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