Pump Repair Parts: Repair Your Pump Instead of Replacing It

Dade Pump & Supply, DBA De Ruiter Electric Motor Company, is more than an online pump and motor supplier. We opened our doors in 1960 repairing and servicing pumps and electric motors in South Florida.

Over the past 66 years, Dade Pump has grown from a local repair shop into an internationally recognized source for pump and motor repair, replacement parts, technical assistance, and new equipment. Our experienced technicians, large inventory, manufacturer relationships, and commitment to customer service allow us to help customers solve problems and reduce unnecessary downtime.

One of the most valuable ways we can serve our customers is by helping them determine when a pump can be repaired instead of replaced.

For many pumps, replacing a worn mechanical seal, gasket, impeller, bearing, or other serviceable component can be significantly more cost-effective than purchasing an entirely new pump.

Is It Better to Repair or Replace a Pump?

When a pump stops working properly, the first question many customers ask is, "Should I repair it or replace it?"

The answer depends on several factors, including the condition of the pump, the availability of replacement parts, the cost of repairs, and the cost of a replacement unit.

In many cases, a pump failure does not mean the entire pump needs to be replaced. Common components that may be replaced during a pump repair include:

• Mechanical seals
• Gaskets and O-rings
• Impellers
• Diffusers
• Bearings
• Shafts
• Wear rings
• Seal plates
• Motor components

If the primary components of the pump are still in good condition, replacing worn parts may extend the life of the equipment and save money.

The Problem With Disposable Equipment

Today's marketplace offers an enormous selection of low-cost pumps and motors. While the initial purchase price can be attractive, not every product is designed with long-term serviceability in mind.

Our technicians regularly see pumps that are difficult—or sometimes impossible—to repair because replacement parts are unavailable or incompatible. In some cases, the design of the equipment does not allow individual components to be serviced economically.

For example, a pump may require a mechanical seal with an uncommon size, have limited replacement parts available, or use a design that integrates multiple components into a single assembly. When replacement components cannot be sourced, a relatively minor failure can result in replacing the entire pump.

This is one reason Dade Pump continues to value repairable equipment. A quality pump that can be serviced with readily available replacement parts may provide better long-term value than a lower-cost product that must be discarded after a minor component fails.

Find the Right Pump Repair Parts With Exploded View Diagrams

One of the biggest challenges when repairing a pump is identifying the correct replacement part.

A customer may know that a pump is leaking, making noise, or losing performance, but determining the correct mechanical seal, gasket, impeller, or other component can be difficult without the proper part number.

To make the process easier, Dade Pump has added exploded view parts diagrams and parts breakdowns to many product pages for commonly purchased pumps and components.

An exploded view diagram allows you to see how the individual components of a pump fit together and identify the manufacturer part numbers associated with those components.

How Exploded View Pump Parts Diagrams Help

An exploded view parts breakdown can make pump repairs easier by helping you:

• Identify individual pump components
• Locate manufacturer part numbers
• Determine which parts may need replacement
• Compare replacement part pricing
• Evaluate the cost of repairing versus replacing the pump
• Identify available repair kits

Instead of searching through multiple catalogs or trying to identify a part based only on its appearance, an exploded view diagram provides a clearer starting point for locating the correct component.

What Is a Pump Repair Kit?

Depending on the manufacturer and pump model, replacement parts may also be available as a pump repair kit.

Repair kits typically include several commonly replaced wear components needed for a particular repair. Depending on the equipment, a kit may include items such as:

• Mechanical seals
• Gaskets
• O-rings
• Wear components
• Other manufacturer-specified service parts

Repair kits are not available for every pump or manufacturer. When a repair kit is available, it may be listed with the pump parts information or near the bottom of the parts breakdown.

Using a manufacturer-specific repair kit can simplify the repair process and help ensure that compatible components are used together.

Compare the Cost of Pump Repair vs. Replacement

Before automatically replacing a pump, it can be worthwhile to compare the cost of the repair.

If the pump has experienced a relatively minor failure, replacing a few components may cost substantially less than purchasing a complete replacement unit.

Factors to consider include:

• The age and overall condition of the pump
• The condition of the motor
• The availability of replacement parts
• The cost of the required parts
• The cost of labor
• The price of a replacement pump
• The importance of minimizing downtime

Of course, not every pump should be repaired. If major components are severely damaged, parts are obsolete, or the cost of repairs approaches the cost of a new pump, replacement may make more sense.

However, when the pump body, motor, and major components remain in good condition, repairing the equipment can often be the more economical option.

How to Find Replacement Parts for Your Pump

The best place to start is with the pump's manufacturer and model number.

If possible, gather the following information before searching for replacement parts:

• Manufacturer name
• Pump model number
• Serial number, if available
• Motor information
• The part number, if known
• Photos of the equipment or damaged component

Once you have identified your pump, check the product page for an available exploded view diagram or replacement parts breakdown.

If you cannot find the information you need, our team can help identify available replacement parts and determine whether a repair kit or individual components are available for your equipment.

More Than Just Pump and Motor Sales

At Dade Pump, our repair experience influences the products and replacement parts we sell.

We understand that a pump failure can mean lost productivity, interrupted water service, facility problems, and costly downtime. Helping customers identify a replacement mechanical seal or repair kit can sometimes get equipment back into service without the expense of replacing an entire pump.

Dade Pump & Supply, DBA De Ruiter Electric Motor Company, is an EASA-approved repair shop headquartered in Miami, Florida. We are an authorized distributor and repair center for many of the brands trusted by professional installers and end users.

Our manufacturers and brands include Baldor, Goulds, Franklin Electric, Pentair, Myers, Sta-Rite, Berkeley, Techtop, Flint & Walling, AMT, Flomatic, PD Water / Pearl, and many more.

Repair Parts Can Help Reduce Downtime and Save Money

We don't believe every equipment failure requires throwing away a pump and starting over.

When replacement parts are available and the equipment is in good condition, a properly completed repair can extend the life of a pump and reduce the cost of ownership.

Whether you need a mechanical seal, gasket, impeller, repair kit, or help identifying a part from an exploded view diagram, Dade Pump is here to help.

With more than six decades of hands-on experience repairing pumps and motors, our team understands the value of keeping quality equipment in service whenever possible.

Before replacing your pump, take a look at the parts. A repair may be the better option.