Your equipment works hard during the hottest months of the year to keep your pool clean and safe. If the pump or filter fails, the water can turn into a swampy green mess overnight. While it might feel like a chore to check on the pipes and motors regularly, it’s a good way to keep those expensive repair bills at bay.
Giving Your Filter Some Room to Breathe
The filter catches every bit of hair, sunscreen, and pollen that enters the water. When the pressure gauge on top of the filter tank climbs about 8 to 10 pounds per square inch above its normal starting point, that is a clear signal that the system is struggling to push water through the trapped debris. You can fix this by backwashing a sand filter or rinsing off a cartridge filter with a garden hose. If you ignore a dirty filter, the motor has to work twice as hard. This eventually leads to a burned-out pump that costs a fortune to replace.
After a heavy summer thunderstorm knocks leaves and dirt into the water, your filter pressure will likely spike. Because of this, you need to check the gauge immediately once the clouds clear.
Keeping the Baskets Clear and Flowing
Every pool has a skimmer basket on the side and a pump basket near the motor. These are your first lines of defense against clogs. If the skimmer basket fills up with oak leaves or lost goggles, the pump can’t pull enough water. This causes a dangerous condition called cavitation, where the pump vibrates and overheats. You should make it a habit to empty these baskets every morning before you start your day.
You also need to make sure you keep the deck clear of trash. This is just as important as cleaning the pool itself. Even a small plastic wrapper from a snack can get sucked into the line and cause a very costly headache.
Monitoring Water Levels and Chemistry
The hot summer sun causes water to evaporate quickly. If the water level drops below the opening of the skimmer, the pump will start sucking in air instead of water. This is a major problem. Pool pumps are cooled by the water moving through them. Running dry for even an hour can melt the internal seals. Keep your garden hose handy to top off the pool whenever the water line falls below the halfway mark on the skimmer faceplate. Additionally, keeping your pH and chlorine levels balanced protects the physical equipment from corrosion. For instance, if your water becomes too acidic, it can actually eat away at the copper heat exchanger inside your pool heater or damage the rubber o-rings in your valves. Low-cost test strips are a great way to stay on top of this throughout the week.
Taking care of your pool equipment might seem like a lot of unnecessary work. However, it truly saves you from a considerable headache when the temperature starts to climb. If you spend just a few minutes each week checking your filter pressure, clearing out those baskets, and watching the water line, you ensure that your backyard remains the favorite hangout spot for your friends and family. If you have concerns or require pool equipment repair services, contact Galati Pools and Spas in Newburgh, NY.
