Salamander Pumps FAQs

First find out if the leak is from the pump, the hose(s), running down the pipe or from above the pump.

If the hose is leaking, you could fit a new hose or washer depending on the nature of the leak. When then pump is leaking, it’s useful to find out where from; quite often this can be from the body O-ring or shaft seal. With some of our pumps, a kit can be purchased that will allow you to repair the pump. However, it’s best to call for technical support first. If the pump is under warranty, please do not open up the pump or tamper with it in anyway, as this will invalidate your warranty. Please contact our PumpWise Technical Support Team first.
 

Usually when a positive head pump begins to turn on and off during use, it is down to the natural flow of water running through the pump. The flow switches require a minimum of 1LTR/30SECS to activate them, so it’s worth checking this. You can also test the pump by attaching a couple of washing machine hoses to the outlets of the pump and activating the pump into a bucket and see if it works.

If it’s a positive head pump, it may be that there is damage to one or more of the impellers. If it’s a negative head pump, there may be a restriction or blocked filter on the pump or damage to an impeller.

This depends on the pump type. 
For positive head pumps:
• Check the fuse/breaker.
• Check the flow through the outlets and ensure there is a minimum flow rate of 1LTR/30SECS running naturally through the outlet. A quick way to test the pump would be to attach a couple of washing machine hoses to the outlets of the pump and activating the pump into a bucket and see if it works.
• Another test that can briefly be performed would be to remove the pump from situ, plug it in somewhere we know works and turn the pump upside down – if it starts, we know the pump is ok and can be turned immediately back the correct way where it should stop.

For negative head pumps:
• Check the fuse/breaker.
• Ensure the pump is in the correct mode.

Air is the enemy of all shower pumps and if trapped around the impellers, can seriously impair performance and eventually lead to pump failure. The hot connections to the cylinder and the shower pump must allow any air in the system to filter up to the vent and away from the hot shower pump inlet. The alternative to help combat this problem is to fit a flange on top of the hot water cylinder. (Many of our pumps will require a flange to be fitted. Please refer to the pumps’ warranty installation guide handbook prior to installation)

Unfortunately, this tends to mean the pump is failing to turn so further investigation would be required. If the drive shaft turns freely, it may be worth trying to replace the capacitor. Check for damage around impellers and anything that could stop the rotation of them.

Usually when a positive head pump begins to turn on and off during use, this is down to the natural flow of water running through the pump. The flow switches require a minimum of 1 litre in 30 seconds to activate through the outlet, so it’s worth checking this. You can also test the pump by attaching a couple of washing machine hoses to the outlets of the pump and activating the pump into a bucket and see if it works ok.

If this is a positive head pump, a delay usually suggests that there is not enough natural flow to allow the pump to initiate. Check the natural flow of water to make sure it is over the minimum required.  The low flow could be down to a blockage on the filters, shower head, twisted shower hose or possibly some negative head.

If a negative head pump is installed, check the pump is in the correct mode of operation and that there are no restrictions after the pump causing the pressure drop to be sensed slowly.
 

If the pump is activating and there is low or no pressure at the shower, you would need to check for restrictions in the pumps filters, shower head, hose etc.

Check the flow through the outlets and ensure there is a minimum flow rate of 1LTR/30SECS running naturally through the outlet. A quick way to test the pump would be to attach a couple of washing machine hoses to the outlets of the pump and activating the pump into a bucket and see if it works.
 

For positive head pumps, isolate the outlets coming from the pump – if the pump stops, the water is going somewhere it shouldn’t be in the system. Therefore, check things like the vent pipe and make sure it’s not filling the cold water tank up for example.

If using a negative head pump, first do an isolation test on the pump. Once reset, isolate the outlets of the pump and see if the pump continues to hunt. If the pump remains turned off, then it’s usually a small pressure drop in the system after the pump. If it continues to hunt, then it would be worth checking the pressure on the pressure vessel with the pump uninstalled.
 

Unfortunately, this tends to mean the pump is failing to turn and further investigation would be required. However, as this involves taking the pump apart, please make sure the pump is out of warranty as removing any part of the pump would invalidate the warranty.

If the pump is out of warranty, remove the end of the pump and if the drive shaft turns freely it may be worth trying to replace the capacitor. Check for damage around impellers and anything that could stop the rotation of them.
 

Salamander Pumps water pumps are designed for quiet, smooth running. There is no such thing as a silent pump, but we come close. If you are experiencing noise problems, then use your installation instructions and check the following:

• The pump is positioned as close to its source of water as possible (e.g. Hot Water Cylinder).
• It has been correctly piped, using the right flanged connection to the hot water cylinder.
• The pump AV couplers are not bent or strained in any way.
• The pump does not sit on bare floor boarding or shelving.
• The pipe work is secured to the wall, not pushing down on the pump.
• Too many elbow fittings in the supply pipe work to the pump will cause resistance (machine bent pipes have virtually no resistance).
• All isolating valves are fully open and are a non-restrictive type e.g. Gate Valves.

In addition to the above, mounting the pump on a paving material, which rests on top of carpet, is a good way of stopping transference of motor vibration into the fabric of the building.