June 12, 2017
Share this postHow do you know whether to repair or replace a broken pump?
Six key factors to consider
The age and type of pump
- An older pump system is not going to be as efficient or as reliable as a newer model with up-to-date, state of the art technology.
- Some pump types have a longer life than others.
- If there is life left in your pump, and you can live less efficiency for the time being, a repair is going to be most cost-effective.
- Most new pumps offer much greener and more energy-efficient solutions. A replacement could therefore save more money over time through efficiency, than a repair.
- Look at the risk of the repaired pump failing again because it has a shorter life span. If it failed, what would be the impact and cost to your organisation? If the impact and cost are relatively slight, then it’s worth a repair. If they are significant, then a replacement is going to provide much better insurance.
If you are unsure, talk to a pump specialist to find out more about the efficiency of what you have in place.
The pump’s run time
- The longer the pump’s hours of run time, the more wear and tear it will have borne.
- If the system has been running flat out for a number of years, it is more likely a replacement pump will be the best option
- If the system has been in place for years, but doesn’t run all the time, the pump may be in good condition and a repair is all that’s needed
Analyse the ongoing costs of maintenance, repairs and downtime, and compare them with the cost of a new system. Invite us for a free site visit, and we will be able to do this for you.
How many repairs
- If your pump system has already been repaired, especially if more than once, it is more likely that a replacement will be the best option
- If it’s the first time it has needed a repair, then this is likely to be the right move
Ease of installation
- Some installations are easier than others
- Does the new pump fit the available space left by the old pump? If yes, a replacement is an easier decision. If no, the decision will depend on some of the other factors involved
- Will there need to be costly reworking of the system, to make the new pump work effectively? If yes, it’s clearly an argument against a replacement that needs to be weighed up against the other factors
Regularity of failures
- If the system is failing regularly, there may be something wrong with the pump that needs more analysis than the simple decision of repair or replace
- It could be a faulty product in the first place; if it is covered under a warranty agreement the supplier should solve the problem for you
- The pump may not have been installed correctly, and if so, some reworking could be all that you need
- An analysis of the system is advised. Don’t put up with regular failures – there is no reason why a good, well-installed system should not work with no interruptions
Again, we will analyse this for you if you call us to discuss a free site visit
Lead times, disruption and down-times
- Not all pumps are easily available from stock; can a new one be obtained within a reasonable lead time? A delay could prove costly, so an interim repair may be the only option
- Is it a critical pump with no back up? A pump repair is likely to be less immediately disruptive than a replacement
- If the risk of further failure would be even more disruptive than installing a replacement system, it’s worth scheduling the replacement
- A good pump engineering team will fit their schedule around your quiet/shut times, such as school holidays or overnight
There is no right or wrong answer to whether to repair or replace. There is a careful weighing up of factors after intelligent analysis.
Here are Dura Pump, we will give you free advice.
Choosing Dura Pump means investing in reliability and safety for your facility. Talk to an expert about your needs
