Water feature pump clean in Exeter
Professional water feature pump clean services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60-£85
Typical Duration
1-1.5 hrs
Location
Exeter, Devon
Water feature pump stripped down and cleaned properly - all the gunk and debris removed so water flows like it should. Tested before going back in, so you know it actually works.
When Your Feature's More Dribble Than Display
You remember when your water feature actually flowed nicely? Made pleasant sounds? Looked good?
Now it's barely trickling, or stopped altogether. The peaceful water sounds have become "is it even on?"
Nine times out of ten, it's not the pump that's died - it's just clogged solid with algae, leaves, and debris. Clean it properly and it works again.
💡 Pro tip: Water feature pumps get clogged fast in autumn - leaves are the killer. Quick clean before winter saves the pump.
Why Pumps Stop Flowing
They suck in water constantly. Eventually they suck in enough debris to block themselves.
| ✅ After Cleaning | ❌ When Clogged |
|---|---|
| Water flows strongly | Barely trickling or stopped |
| Quiet running | Grinding or rattling noises |
| Feature looks alive | Stagnant, algae building up |
| Pump running efficiently | Working hard, achieving nothing |
What's Involved
🔧 The Process
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Remove | Pump disconnected safely from feature |
| Strip | Taken apart, all debris and algae removed |
| Clean | Filter cleaned/replaced, impeller freed up |
| Test | Run it before putting back to confirm it works |
| Reinstall | Back in feature, flow adjusted properly |
📦 You're Left With
- Pump that actually moves water again
- Feature flowing like it should
- Advice on how often to maintain it
Pricing Guide
| Job | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Standard pump clean & test | 1 hr | £60 |
| Very clogged pump or pond setup | 1.5 hrs | £85 |
| With filter replacement | 1 hr + materials | £60 + filter cost |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. Replacement filters typically £5-15 depending on pump model.
Perfect For...
✅ Barely flowing - pump's struggling
✅ Strange noises - grinding or rattling
✅ Stopped altogether - might just be blocked
✅ Autumn maintenance - before leaves kill it
Why Choose Us for Water feature pump clean in Exeter?
Pump stripped and debris removed properly
Filter cleaned or replaced if needed
Tested before putting back in
Honest advice if replacement's needed instead
What to Expect
Step 1: Remove & Assess
Pump comes out of the feature carefully. I check if it's clogged or actually broken - cleaning fixes most issues.
Step 2: Strip & Clean
Take it apart properly - you'd be amazed how much crud gets inside. Filter cleaned, impeller freed up, all debris removed.
Step 3: Test & Reinstall
Run it in a bucket to make sure it actually works before putting back. No point reinstalling a dead pump. If it works, back in it goes and flow's adjusted.
🔧 DIY Tips
If you want to clean your own water feature pump:
🔧 What you'll need
- Bucket of water (for testing)
- Old toothbrush or small brush
- Hose or tap for rinsing
- Screwdriver (some pumps, not all)
- Replacement filter if current one's shot
🔌 Safety first
- UNPLUG IT before touching the pump
- Really, unplug it - electricity and water kills
- Wait a minute after unplugging before touching
- Keep electrical connections dry when reconnecting
🧽 Cleaning process
- Disconnect and remove pump from feature
- Most pumps have a cover that twists or clips off
- Remove the impeller (the spinny bit) - usually just pulls out
- Clean everything thoroughly - brush, rinse, repeat
- Check the filter/foam - clean or replace
- Reassemble carefully
🔍 What to check
- Impeller spins freely - if it's stiff or stuck, clean more
- No cracks in casing - water leaks where it shouldn't
- Filter intact - broken filter lets debris through
- Cable condition - frayed cable = replace pump
⚠️ Common DIY mistakes
- Not unplugging before touching (dangerous)
- Losing the tiny parts when you take it apart
- Reassembling wrong - it won't work properly
- Forgetting to clean the filter
- Testing it dry (always test in water)
💡 Pro trick: Take photos as you disassemble. Makes reassembly much easier when you can see where everything goes. Also helps when buying replacement parts if you need them.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🍂 Autumn trap: Leaves + water feature pumps = disaster. If your feature's near trees, you'll be cleaning it more often. Some people net their features in autumn.
Pump's dead even after cleaning? It happens - they don't last forever. Budget pumps (under £30) might last 2-3 years. Decent ones (£50+) can go 5-10 years. I'll advise on replacement if cleaning doesn't revive it.
Pond pumps with filter systems? Usually more complex but same principle - they get clogged, they need cleaning. If you've got UV filters and multi-stage setups, might take longer to service properly.
Hard water area (which Exeter mostly is)? Limescale builds up inside pumps over time. Descaler solution helps - same stuff you use in kettles. Soak, rinse, reassemble.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does water feature pump cleaning involve?
I disconnect the pump, strip it down, clean out all the debris and algae that clogs it up (there's always loads), clean or replace the filter, test it before putting back in, and make sure the flow's back to normal. Most pumps just need a good clean rather than replacement.
How often should water feature pumps be cleaned?
Ideally twice a year - spring and autumn. Spring gets it ready for summer use, autumn clears out the debris before winter. If your feature's surrounded by trees or gets lots of leaves, might need it more often. You'll know when flow drops noticeably.
What if the pump's completely stopped working?
Could be clogged solid (fixable with cleaning) or actually broken (needs replacement). I'll clean it first - that solves most problems. If it's genuinely dead, I'll let you know and can advise on replacement pumps. They're not expensive for basic ones.
Can you clean pumps for ponds as well as fountains?
Yes - same principle. Pond pumps tend to get grimier because of fish waste and pond sludge, but they clean up the same way. If you've got a filter system as well, I can check that while I'm at it.
Do I need to empty my water feature to clean the pump?
Usually no - I can disconnect the pump and work on it separately. The feature stays as it is. Only time you'd empty it is if the whole thing needs cleaning, which is a different job.
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