Maintenance August 2024 1 min read

Common Pump Failures and Prevention

Understand the top causes of pump failures — cavitation, seal degradation, alignment issues — and preventive maintenance strategies.

Cavitation

Vapour bubbles collapsing against the impeller erode metal and destroy performance. Maintain adequate NPSH margin, keep suction lines short, and watch for the tell-tale gravel noise.

Seal Degradation

Mechanical seals fail from dry running, misapplied seal plans, and abrasive media. Monitor leakage rates and replace with OEM-spec seals — not generic equivalents.

Misalignment & Vibration

Laser-align at commissioning and re-check after thermal cycles. Trending vibration data catches bearing wear months before catastrophic failure.

A Preventive Maintenance Plan

Quarterly inspections, annual overhauls for critical duty, and a stocked spares kit of seals, bearings, and gaskets keep unplanned downtime near zero.

Key Takeaways

Cavitation
Seal Degradation
Misalignment & Vibration
A Preventive Maintenance Plan

Need Technical Guidance?

Speak with our engineering team for a comprehensive technical audit and custom fluid system proposal.