To ensure proper circulation, you need to switch on the pump for at least 8 hours a day. This ensures the pool circulation is effective. Make sure you size the pump, i.e: get a pump according to your pool volume. If your pool capacity is 10,000 gallons, then you need to divide 10,000 by 480 (8 hours x 60 minutes).
The most common reason for low or no flow is that the baskets are full of debris. By checking and emptying both the skimmer basket (by the pool) and the pump basket (inside the pump) will free up the water flow, allowing the system to fully 'prime' and function at full capacity.
It's the levels and chemicals you are constantly adjusting (i.e. pH, total alkalinity and calcium hardness) that have the most significant impact on you swimming pools water balance.
To observe a pool? s circulation, try the ping-pong ball test. This involves tossing at least a dozen ping-pong balls into the pool and watching where they travel. The balls should travel in a clockwise pattern and eventually end up in the skimmer basket.
If you are without power, grab your pool brush! Not only will scrubbing the sides and bottom reduce or prevent algae, it also causes the water to move and circulate, helping maintain an even level of chlorine throughout the pool.
Bottom line, the filter must be backwashed on a regular basis to ensure that your pool water is clear. "When do we need to backwash?" - It is recommended to backwash your filter once every 4-6 weeks of regular use.
It is designed to be filled with water at all times. If the pump is operated dry, it will burn out the motor and cause you to have to replace an expensive piece of pool equipment. If a pump is allowed to operate dry, it will build up heat that will melt the pump and possibly surrounding plumbing fixtures.
It's good practice to point your return jets in a direction that will circulate the water in your pool. If your pool only has one jet, point the jet toward the skimmer and downward. This will circulate the water, and push the water at the bottom of the pool to the surface.
You can do this by exerting pressure in the pipe in the opposite direction to the suction. This can be done by connecting a hose or an air compressor, which will send water (or air) into the skimmer with enough force to remove the clog.
Why Pool Circulation is Important
If the pool pump is not circulating the pool, the water will become stagnant and dirty, allowing debris to build up or even other microorganisms to cloud the water. Poor pool circulation and filtration, particularly in more humid climates, can lead to a case of pool algae.
Low pressure means there is a clog somewhere. High pressure indicates it needs to be backwashed or the filter cleaned. If you have low pressure, it is possible something got through the baskets or pump pot and clogged the impeller. This is common.
Overall, the lessons learned today is you should run your pool pump an average 8 hours a day to properly circulate and clean your water. The pump should push your entire pool in gallons in this 8 hour period of time. Residential pool water only needs to be turned over once daily to have proper filtration.
Most people like to point the jets in a unified direction, clockwise or counterclockwise. On older pools, return jets might have been built on one side or end of the pool with the skimmer opposite the return jets.
Water Should Flow Toward Your Home
Round, oval, kidney-shaped, or curving pools are fine, since there are no hard edges. This also allows for more flexibility with direction. Square pools can work as well, as long as the edge faces your home.
Do you see air bubbles shooting out of the return jets in your pool? As whimsical as it may look, it's not a good thing. The return jets should be returning water to the pool. It's a common problem, especially when you open your pool in the spring, and it has a simple cause: there's air in the pool pump.
What are the most common reasons for pool air bubbles? ... The pool water level is too low. The strainer pot lid isn't on tight or its O-ring is loose/absent/compromised. The union between the valves and the pump isn't tight or its O-ring is loose/absent/compromised.
In general, you shouldn't be losing sand from your sand filter. Nor should any sand be coming out during backwashing, rinsing or filtering. If sand is coming out, something is wrong. You shouldn't need to be topping up the sand in the filter either.
Turn the lever to RINSE, start the pump and rinse for about 15-30 seconds. Stop the pump and turn the lever to FILTER. This is the normal operating position. Close the drain outlet valve and start the pump.
Unless your pool gets really dirty, you should not need to backwash it beyond your scheduled maintenance. Another theory recommends to backwash when the pressure gauge is about 8 to 10 psi (pound-force per square inch) over the starting level.
Your pool can keep running for a few days with no problems while without a pump. However, know that a standard pool needs a pool running for at least once in 24 hours, or you might notice an algae bloom. So, it's best to have your pump ready as soon as possible.
Yes you can turn your pool pump off for a week. You can turn it off for a month, but there are consequences. The pool will get dirty—no pump, no filtering. The chemicals will not circulate and the water could start turning a nice shade of green as algae forms.
I think the answer to your question is about 3-6 days. The problem is that the chlorine that you need to keep the bacteria in check is used up more quickly as the temperature rises, the activity increases, and as sweat and other body stuff is put into the pool.
It may be cheaper to run the pump at night, but honestly you should run it 1 hour a day per 10 degrees of temperature at least, and it should be during the day. Running the pump at night should only be when you are doing a major chemical treatment such as algae clean-up.