5 Pump Problems Leisure Centres Can’t Afford Right Now
- katherinefuad
- Jun 19
- 4 min read
Updated: Jun 20
Can Your Building Pumps Handle the Summer Surge? Here we offer our take on the five common issues that our clients working in the leisure centre space face during the busy season — and provide our 'deckpro' tips on how you can stay one step ahead of these.
With the UK in the grip of a heatwave and the school holidays just around the corner, leisure centres are gearing up for one of the busiest periods of the year. From packed-out swimming pools to extended opening hours, the pressure on your facilities—and your pump systems—is about to rise.
When circulation, HVAC or wastewater systems can’t keep up, it’s more than just a maintenance headache. Downtime means disappointed customers, lost revenue, and increased pressure on staff. 🥵
The good news? Most pump problems don’t come out of nowhere. With the right planning and support, they can be prevented before they cause disruption.
1. Unplanned Downtime Causes Havoc for Leisure Centres
The problem: Sudden pump failure is one of the biggest disruptors for facilities teams. Whether it’s a failed pool circulation pump or a problem with HVAC, the knock-on effects can force partial or full closure of facilities—right when customer demand is at its highest.
How to prevent it: Planned preventative maintenance is key. Regular checks can spot issues like worn bearings, electrical faults, or misalignment before they escalate. Even simple wear-and-tear can be caught early, saving you time and stress later.
👉 deckpro tip: Book in a maintenance visit as soon as possible. The summer schedule is filling up fast, so make sure you secure your spot before the schools break up next month!
2. Ageing or Obsolete Equipment
The problem: When systems are operating as they should, it's easy to push them to back of mind. But, we often come across pumps that are over a decade old, and not only does this increase the risk of breakdowns, but sourcing replacement parts becomes trickier and more expensive over time.
How to prevent it: A system review can help identify which pumps are nearing the end of their life. You don’t have to overhaul everything at once—but a phased upgrade approach can spread cost while improving reliability and saving costs in the longer run.
👉 deckpro tip: Modern pumps are usually far more energy-efficient. For example, in one UK leisure centre, switching to inverter-driven pool pumps led to an 82% reduction in energy use. Read the full case study here.
3. Reactive Repairs Eating Into Budget
The problem: Operating on fixed budgets means every emergency call-out chips away at your annual spend. And when budgets are tight, it’s tempting to defer upgrades or maintenance—creating a vicious cycle.
How to prevent it: Tailored maintenance plans give you more control over spend, reducing the number of unexpected costs throughout the year. Preventative servicing may feel like an upfront investment, but in the long run, it’s often the more economical choice.
👉 Did you Know?: According to the British Pump Manufacturers’ Association (BPMA), renewable pump systems—if they’re correctly specified and well-maintained—can consume 25% to 50% less electrical energy compared to typical installations, where oversized or inefficient designs are in place. Read the full article here.
4. Difficulties Finding the Right Support
The problem: Pump systems are specialised. General contractors often don’t have the expertise to diagnose complex issues—or they focus on fixing symptoms rather than addressing root causes.
How to prevent it: Work with a team that understands both the technical side and the operational needs of a leisure facility.
That means engineers who appreciate that closing a pool isn’t just inconvenient—it’s a revenue risk and a public perception issue.
👉 deckpro tip: Find a contractor who looks beyond the fault and understands how your whole system operates.There’s a big difference between someone who replaces a part and someone who solves a problem. If you're unsure what to look for, our blog on why pump support should be more than just mechanical fixes is a good place to start.
5. High Energy or Water Use
The problem: Outdated pumps, poor controls, and system inefficiencies can significantly increase your running costs—particularly in energy-intensive environments like swimming pools and gyms.
How to prevent it:Efficiency upgrades don’t have to mean massive capital projects. Swapping out older units for variable speed drives or upgrading pipework can deliver fast returns. Even small changes, like replacing worn bellows or tweaking control panels, can improve performance.
👉 deckpro tip: Don't underestimate what smarter controls can do for pump efficiency. We recently sat down with G&G Controls—experts in bespoke control systems—for a podcast episode on innovation in pump controls. You can give it a listen here if you're exploring ways to reduce energy use without major infrastructure changes.
Need Support Ahead of the Summer Holidays?
Whether you need a fast repair, a plan to reduce downtime, or just some honest advice—we’re here to help. Our team has over a decade of experience supporting leisure centres across the UK with pump supply, installation, servicing, and energy-saving upgrades.
Get in touch with us today or download our sector overview to see how we can support your team this summer and beyond.
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