| Most swimming pool owners take for granted the | | | | Check to make sure there is an adequate water level |
| significance of one of the simplest gadgets included in | | | | in the pool. If the water level is good, check all |
| their pool equipment, the pressure gauge on the main | | | | baskets to make sure they are not clogged with |
| pool filter. This one instrument is the equivalent of a | | | | debris and blocking the water flow. Also check the |
| thermometer to the human body. When the variance | | | | skimmer weir door to make sure it is not stuck in the |
| from 98.6 is too large, either high or low, we know | | | | closed position (up). Another common problem is |
| our body is sick and needs attention. The same rule | | | | debris getting past the pump basket and clogging up |
| applies to the pressure gauge on a main swimming | | | | the impeller. |
| pool filter. Used properly it can be a pool owner's | | | | Pressure Abnormally High - if the pressure gauge is |
| best tool to avoid, diagnose, and solve common pool | | | | reading extremely high, it most likely means the filter |
| problems. | | | | media is clogged and needs to be cleaned. Another |
| The first key to using the pool filter pressure gauge | | | | common reason for a high pressure reading is a valve |
| as the tool it is intended to be is to establish and | | | | to one of the return lines has been accidentally |
| document a "normal operating pressure". This reading | | | | moved to the closed position. When this happens the |
| should be established immediately after the filter | | | | water is obstructed from moving back into the |
| cartridges have been cleaned or when new cartridges | | | | swimming pool, which leads to back pressure to the |
| are installed. Record this reading, in other words write | | | | filter and a abnormally high reading. |
| it down, and store it somewhere that is convenient | | | | Unstable Pressure Readings - if the pressure reading |
| and easily accessible during your daily or weekly pool | | | | is not stabilizing and constantly moving from low to |
| maintenance routine. | | | | high and back to low, it usually indicates an insufficient |
| Then, simply make sure to consult the pressure | | | | water level in the pool or a skimmer weir that is |
| gauge each and every time you service the pool. | | | | getting stuck. In either of these cases, there isn't |
| Don't be lazy about checking the pressure. It literally | | | | enough water to consistently supply the pump. When |
| only takes a second or two and it could help avoid a | | | | there is sufficient water supply the pressure goes up |
| hefty pool repair bill and the embarrassment of a | | | | and when the pump starts drawing air the pressure |
| green swimming pool. Typically the main filter should | | | | goes down. This is known as "cycling" and should be |
| be cleaned or backwashed when the pressure rises | | | | avoided because it will inevitably lead to damage to |
| no more than 10 psi. But as you monitor the pressure | | | | the pump motor. |
| gauge, if the pressure seems abnormally high or low, | | | | Out of all the tools used to maintain your swimming |
| it means the pool needs attention. Of course it is | | | | pool, the main pool filter pressure gauge can be your |
| always possible that the gauge itself could be broken, | | | | best friend and save you a lot of time and money in |
| but for this discussion we will assume it is in good | | | | the long run. Monitored properly, the pressure |
| working order. | | | | readings will actually tell you a story of the status of |
| Pressure Abnormally Low - if the pressure gauge is | | | | the pool in just a few seconds. It is worth the time |
| reading lower than expected it could indicate several | | | | to document the readings on your main pool filter |
| different problems. Typically it means something is | | | | pressure gauge and start listening to the story it's |
| obstructing the water from getting to the filter. | | | | trying to tell you! |