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Electric Motor Troubleshooting: How to Tell if a Motor Is Bad

Whether you own a duplex or manage an apartment building that stretches for an entire New York City block, the integrity of your water pump is essential. When a pump’s electric motor fails, it causes both disruption for tenants and unexpected work interruptions for you. At Antler Pumps, we deal with this type of problem all the time and know what to do. Here are four signs your pump’s electric motor is malfunctioning.

No Water Pressure

A crisis for tenants

One of the most obvious signs that something is wrong with your water pump is a lack of water pressure. At worst, your tenants may receive no water at all, which is a disaster for people who need to bathe, cook, and clean.

Often, the electric motor driving the pump is at fault when this happens. You may not be able to turn the pump on at all, or it may run for a minute and then shut itself off without coming on again when it should. The result is the same: empty taps or just a trickle of water.

The first thing to check if tenants complain of no water pressure is the place where the water enters your building. Sometimes there is a neighborhood-wide water problem or a clog near the start of your water service.

Next, assess the pump and motor. If they are not running as described above, it’s time to call in the experts to see if the pump needs repair or replacement. The causes for this malfunction include:

• Electrical power failure or wiring issue
• Motor overheated and shut off automatically as a safety mechanism
• Needs oiling and/or bearings replaced (see the section on noise, below)
• Pressure problems (relay switch or contacts, sensor tube clogging, clog in pressure control base, or pressure control switch broken)

If the water pressure is fine in some units but not in others, there are a couple of common explanations. One is that your piping has become clogged in certain areas, limiting the amount of water that can be delivered. A call to your plumber is then in order.

Another reason is that the pressure is insufficient for reaching the upper floors, a frequent occurrence in taller buildings. In this case, installing a booster pump or using pressure-equalizing methods (often needed with rooftop tanks) can solve the problem.

Pump Runs Continually

Noise and energy waste

You should know the typical cycle for your particular water pump. It may run more frequently during high-demand periods at each end of the day, but it should usually run intermittently when water demand is lower.

If your pump motor is running continually, it’s often a sign the motor is bad. This causes excess wear and tear on the motor and pump system (which itself can cause overheating and pump failure), but it can also create an irritating noise for tenants (see below). It may also be running up your electric bill unnecessarily.

A pump motor that runs all the time, especially if it never did so before, warrants a call to your pump specialists before the pump fails completely.

Intermittent Hot and Cold Water

Another tenant nightmare

Perhaps even worse for tenants than water that won’t turn on is getting all lathered up in a nice hot shower, only to have the water turn ice cold. This typically happens if the pump from the hot water boiler malfunctions or fails. It can also occur during high water use times of day if the hot water pump is not sufficient for the demand or size of the building.

This problem often comes on slowly if it’s due to water pump failure versus an insufficient pump size to maintain pressure. As the hot water cuts out more frequently, you’ll start to hear from tenants how unacceptable it is. You may even experience it yourself if you live in the building. In the winter months, tenants may experience insufficient heat, if the boiler also supplies their radiators.

Don’t wait until this is costing you money. Tenants who aren’t getting proper water supply may pursue legal channels if the situation is not remedied. When your hot water starts failing, check out your boiler pump motor. Any of these observations mean it’s time to contact your pump experts:

• Pump not running at all
• Pump cycle stopping too quickly
• Pump not running as often as it should
• Pump running continuously when it normally cycles
• Pump making an unusual noise
• Pump too hot to the touch

Excessive Noise and Vibration

A nighttime aggravation

As mentioned above, a pump that is excessively noisy or vibrating is an issue for tenants. You may notice that tenants don’t hear the pump motor noise during the day, but when it’s quiet, the sound keeps them from sleeping. You may even hear complaints from adjoining buildings.

Unusual or too much noise from your pump motor means something is awry. You may hear grinding or shearing noises, indicating loose parts, the need for lubrication, or bearings that need replacement. Sometimes the motor is nearing the end of its lifecycle and needs to be replaced entirely.

Excess vibration is typically remedied easily by securing the motor and pump more tightly. You may need a larger base, improved fasteners, or vibration dampening materials.

Are you experiencing problems with your water pump motor like the ones above? Is your pump motor on its last legs or due for routine maintenance? Reach out to Antler Pumps, “The NYC Pump Guys,” by calling 212-534-2500 or using our online form to schedule an appointment.

We perform new pump installations, repairs, annual maintenance and emergency service for your convenience. Additionally, Antler Pumps has its own repair facility, where we can diagnose and fix motor problems to get you back to normal as soon as possible.