Despite being the most important gadget for a pool, a pool filter is probably the most overlooked one as well.
Without a proper pool filter, the whole pool turns into an algae-filled swamp. The main thing that keeps the pool in its crystal clear condition is the pool filter pressure gauge.
If the pressure decreases, the pool faces a lot of issues. So in this article, we will discover how to increase pool pump pressure.
Understanding the Pool Filter Pressure Gauge
The pool filter pressure gauge is the little dial you see on top of the filter. It reads the pressure that builds up inside the filter. Usually, a standard pool filter has a range of 0 PSI to 60 PSI. As your pool filter operates under pressure, the PSI basically means pounds per square inch.
When the water flows normally, the filter pressure remains normal. With the increase and decrease of water pressure, the PSI level also increases and decreases.
The pressure changes only when something interrupts the normal water flow. This can be due to many different reasons. But what is the normal pressure level anyway?
Well, “normal” is determined by a number of different factors such as the pool size, depth, pool type, water type, and some other things. But you can set a baseline number to have a reference point.
How you do it is by going back to the first time you installed a pool filter. The water was super clean and fresh so the number it showed back then is the standard for your pool.
If the pool pressure decreases and the number goes downwards, the pool water can turn very dirty and unclear. When this happens, you need to increase the pool pressure. So let’s find out how to increase pool pump pressure.
How to Increase Pool Pump Pressure
Here are a few suggestions:
01. Check the Water Level:
If your water level gets too low, the pool pump pressure will decrease with it too. This is because when the water level decreases, the skimmer starts to take air in, instead of water.
When this happens, a lot of bubbles emerge. You might hear a lot of bubbling sounds too. If you notice these things, that means it’s time to increase the level of water in your swimming pool.
Another indicator for a low water level is the fast and slow revving of the water pump cycle. This sound means the pump is not filtering properly and efficiently.
How to fix the water level? All you have to do is open the valve that fills up the pool and wait for it to do its job. Then shut off the valve. Alternatively, you can use a hosepipe to fill up the pool again.
02. Check the Skimmer Filter:
As we have mentioned before, when the skimmer filter isn’t filtering properly, you will hear a bubbling noise or see a lot of bubbles. Now, one of the reasons can be due to the water level. But that’s not the only reason.
The skimmer filter can start to malfunction if there is something clogging it. This can be leaves, dirt, grass paper, polythene, or other small stuff that gets sucked into the system.
When this happens, the filtering system faces a disruption. This results in a loss of air pressure so the pump does not work efficiently. You might notice your pool getting dirtier super fast. This is a sign that it’s time to check the skimmer filter.
03. Check the Main Water Filter:
If the skimmer filter is fine and in peak condition, the next thing to check is the main water filter. The reason why we forget to check the main filter is that it needs cleaning only twice a year. And if you are forgetful like us, you haven’t probably cleaned it in more than a year!
If you don’t clean your main water filter regularly, it will eventually clog and the water won’t be able to move through it. As this is the center of the whole filtration system, any issue with the main filter means no other parts can work. The water pressure will drop and the pool will start to look super dirty and dark.
Nobody likes to clean the main filter. We all hate this part. It’s the most dreadful thing to do. It takes a lot of time and patience to properly clean all the parts carefully.
The main filter has a lot of filter elements that need to be cleaned individually. So no wonder most of our main filter is clogged.
If you want to increase your pool pump pressure, try cleaning the main filter first.
04. Look For a Clogged Impeller:
A clogged impeller can decrease the water pressure which results in the overall pool pump pressure as well. To fix this, turn off your pump first and then disassemble the motor and check the rubber gasket around the diffuser of the motor shaft. If the rubber gasket is damaged or missing, it can reduce the pool pump pressure. You might need to replace the whole gasket.
You can check for clogs by turning the spiral veins inside the impeller. Use a needle nose plier to remove the clogs and pull out as much debris as possible.
Then reassemble the whole thing back together and fill up the pit with clean water. After you have restarted the pump, the pressure level should go back to normal.
05. Check the Pre-Pump Filter:
The pre-pump filter is quite similar to a skimmer filter. The good thing about this filter is that it has a transparent cover and body. This means you can basically see it when it needs a proper cleanup.
If the pre-pump filter is clogged, it can hinder other parts of the pump to function properly. If the cover looks dark, it’s time for a cleanup.
Once you clever the filter, the pool pump pressure should come back to normal.
06. Look for Air Leaks:
Air leaks are not fun as they disrupt the whole pump pressure and can cause damage to the pool pump as well. To fix this issue, you should start by checking the gasket around the top basket of the pool pump.
Check for air leaks there. The gasket holes should always face up and not downward or sideways.
If the gasket looks dirty, clean it and remove all the debris with your hands. Then set it back inside the basket and screw on the lid tightly. If the issue is related to air leaks, this should fix it.
What to Do When Filter Pressure is Too High?
If your pool pump pressure is higher than normal, it’s not always a bad thing. In fact, it can be a good thing for larger pools.
That’s because slightly dirty pool filters attract more dirt so the pool gets a better polish than usual. But if the filter pressure becomes too high, it can cause some issues.
This would mean if the pressure is around 10-12 PSI higher than your normal range, it can be risky, usually, the solution is to clean your filter thoroughly. After you do that, the pressure level should go back to its normal range.
Frequently Asked Questions
01. Why is My Pool Pump Pressure So Low?
If you have been facing a sudden loss of pool pump pressure, the reason can be a leak somewhere. If there is a leak on the pressure side, it can cause the water to spray everywhere. It can reduce the air pressure and cause the pump to not function properly.
Some of the other reasons behind a loss of pump pressure can be clogged impeller, clogged pipe, or clogged skimmer. If any of the parts in the pool pump gets clogged by dirt and debris, it can reduce the airflow and water pressure.
An air leak can also cause the filtration process to stop. This can result in a dirty-looking pool within days.
02. How Many PSI Should a Pool Pump Run at?
The normal range for pool pumps is to run at 10 PSI. but the number mainly depends on the size of your poor, its depth, and the type of pool you have. All factors considered, usually the PSI level ranges between 10-25 pressure.
Check your owner’s manual to know exactly what level of PSI your pool pump should run it. Once you figure out what’s standard for your filter, make a routine of checking the pressure gauge once as weak as your regular pool maintenance schedule.
03. Why are Bubbles Coming Out of My Pool Pump?
If you can see bubbles coming out of the pump or see bubbling noises, that means the pool water level is just too low. And as a result, the air is being sucked into the suction line instead of water. This is causing a lot of air bubbles to form on the pool surface.
This issue can be fixed by tightening the strainer pot lid properly. If you check you might find out the O-ring in the pump has come off or gotten loose. If the connection between the pump and the valve is not secure enough, it can cause air bubbles to form as well.
04. Can a Pool Pump be Too Powerful?
Most of us think, the higher the horsepower, the stronger the pool pump thus better. But that’s not true at all.
The power of your pool pump directly depends on the size of your pool and its type. So if you use a pool pump that’s made to be used for a pool twice the size of yours, it’s not going to do a very efficient job even though it’s more powerful.
The majority of the pools, for this reason, have oversized pool pumps that do nothing to keep them clean. If the pump is too large or too small, it fails to provide enough pressure and force to clean the pool properly.
Your pool and pool pump should fit together like a glove. They should not overpower each other. So technically, pool pumps can be too powerful.
05. How Often Should You Backwash a Pool?
Ideally, it’s better to backwash a pool once a week. Of course, the whole cleaning routine should depend on how much the pool is used. But for standard pools, backwashing once a week is absolutely necessary if you want to keep the water crystal clean and hygienic.
If your pool gets a lot of use every single day, you might need to backwash it twice a week. Another standard rule is to backwash the pool when the pressure gauge reads 8-10 PSI level.
06. Is It Better to Run a Pool Pump at Night or Day?
Most of us run our pool pumps at night as it doesn’t interrupt our daily pool activities. Even though it seems quite logical to run the pump at nighttime, it’s not the most efficient way to go.
You should always run your pool pump during the daytime because the sun and the chlorine cause algae to grow faster. They get the whole day to make your pool unclean and dirty.
The basic rule of thumb is to run the pool pump during the hottest time of the day. Usually, that’s around lunchtime. So it’s actually a really good idea to run the pool pump when people are still in the pool.
Takeaway
Even though a pool pump pressure gauge is a rather insignificant-looking part of this huge filtration system, it plays a very vital role in maintaining your pool condition.
So make sure to check each week so the PSI level stays on the normal level. Now that you know how to increase pool pump pressure, this task will be very easy for you to do!
Have any questions? Feel free to ask us in the comments down below!