Weekly Pool Maintenance

Swimming pools lose water through evaporation, which is a normal occurrence. Please note that evaporation rates will fluctuate based on your location/regional weather conditions. However, if you are experiencing sudden, noticeable loss, start with visual inspections:

• Check the interior shell of the swimming pool for cracks, defects, new lines, and other visual anomalies. If you see a structural problem, contact us, and we will dispatch a field technician for an inspection.
• Check for leakage in and around the flexible backwash hose. If the hose has water leaking out of it, you will need to replace the O-rings inside the backwash valve. Call us for assistance with this task, if needed.

Please look up exact specifications in your manual as each pool system has different water pressure tolerances. If you have lost or misplaced your owner’s manual, contact us, and we may be able to identify the proper pressure range for your swimming pool.

• If you think the pressure is too high: check baskets and clean out all debris. Also, check the equipment valves and make certain they are set properly. Also, backwash the filter for a few minutes.
• If you think the pressure is too high: when the equipment is turned off, check the pressure gauge and make certain that it reads zero. If it has not fallen back down to zero, the gauge will need replacing.
• If you think that the pressure is too low: check baskets and clean out all debris. Also, check the equipment valves for proper settings.
• If you think the pressure is too low: when the equipment is turned off, check the pressure gauge and make certain that it reads zero. If it has not fallen back down to zero, the gauge will need replacing.

Sand and DE filter systems usually have a standard push/pull backwash valve, which is a plunger type of valve. A plunger with two O-rings will be found inside the valve. When placed into the backwash position, the valve’s flow of water through the filter is reversed. After placing into the backwash position, the water is pumped out instead of returning to the swimming pool. Attaching a hose to the valve allows you to steer water flow away from your pool.

Usually, four O-rings are found in this type of valve. Rings can become damaged, worn out, or dried out, and then two things will occur: the swimming pool will start to lose water or unfiltered water may return to the pool.

• One cap O-ring seals a removable cap to the valve body. This O-ring requires light lubrication. You should clean and lubricate it every time the cap is removed.
• One shaft O-ring is inside the cap. It provides a seal where the plunger shaft goes through the cap. This O-ring requires light lubrication by applying a small amount to the shaft immediately above and below the cap. After applying, move the shaft in an up-and-down direction. This should be done one time per month or when it becomes difficult to move the shaft.
• Two piston O-rings are located on the pistons or discs of the plunger. Heavier lubrication is required for these rings. Important: you must turn off your filter pump for this task. Remove cap and then pull the plunger out all the way. Check the two O-rings for damage. There should be a snug fit on the pistons with no twists or kinks. Each O-ring should get a pencil-sized bead of lubricant placed around it. After lubricating, insert back into the plunger. Re-install the cap. This task should be done one time per month (more if necessary), or if the shaft becomes difficult to move.

An annual cleaning is recommended by most manufacturers. This task requires you to disassemble the filter, clean with your garden hose, look for tears and holes in the grid, and re-apply a coating with new DE.

DE powder is utilized in this type of filter to strain debris from the water (as recommended by the manufacturer). DE is a finely-ground powder, which comes from fossilized plankton. Within the filter, the cloth-covered grids must be pre-coated with DE powder to operate and filter in the correct way.

• To pre-coat the filter grids, create a mix by combining DE and water. Search for online videos that will exhibit the correct consistency — but do know that it should be more “runny” than thick. Slowly pour your solution into the skimmer while the pump is running. After coating the grids, debris removal from the swimming pool water will begin. Water will flow through the grids and then flow out the end opening into the manifold and ultimately return to the swimming pool.
• Backwashing a DE filter is similar to that for the sand filter. Reversing water flow causes debris and dirty DE to be loosened from the grid. This water washes out of the filter and into the backwash line. After this process, the grid’s DE re-coating can resume.

DE powder is non-biodegradable. A separation tank can be installed on your backwash line, which will capture all of the flushed powder particles.