Today we’re going to discuss how a pool area filter system works. There is really a pump timer, a swimming pool pump and a filter. We’ll discuss the function of the pump, the filter, the plumbing and just how all this works together.
Water travels from the pool to the pump. The water comes in through two pipes. One emanates from the pool skimmer and the other originates from the main drains at the bottom of the pool. The water is pulled into the pump on the suction side. Just before entering the pump the water moves via a basket termed as a strainer pot. The basket is a secondary path for filtering the water in order to avoid debris from getting into the pump chamber where the impeller spins. The water leaves the pump on the discharge side or “pressure side” of the plumbing. The water is forced from the pump into the filter. The filter acts to eradicate dirt and debris from the water. The water that is clean then leaves the filter and, in some cases, passes through a chlorinator and back to the pool. It is best to chlorinate the water after it leaves the filter so that less chlorine enters the pump and filter which can be bad for the equipment.
There are three popular varieties of filters. One is a sand filter. The sand collects and traps debris. To release the debris the sand filter needs to be backwashed. Another filter is a cartridge filter. They have a greater surface area and are reduced in maintenance. One or two times per season a cartridge filter needs to be hosed off and cleaned. The last type of a filter is a DE or diatomaceous earth filter. DE is a fine powder that coats the grids of the filter housing. DE filters are the best for trapping the smallest of debris. DE filters must also be backwashed occasionally and the DE power ought to be replaced with each backwash.
Backwashing a filter is the simple procedure for running the filter in the opposite direction and flushing the filter of debris. You know it ‘s time to backwash once the pressure in the filter rises above 20 psi. This means there is too much debris in the filter and water is struggling to go through the system. If backwashing doesn’t work or pressure increases rapidly it may be because the pool has a lot of debris or the filter must be manually cleaned.
Sometimes after your pump has been off for a long period of your time it’s not easy to reprime it. This happens because all of the water has drained from the filter and the plumbing. To facilitate priming, completely close the main drain valve. Fully open the skimmer valve. Place the filter valve in the circulate position. Then turn the system on. This will isolate the filter from the circuit thereby asking the pump only to prime the plumbing. Within a few minutes you should have a full and constant water flow through the pump. Once this has been established, quickly turn off the pump. Move the filter valve into the filter position and restart the pump. The prime will continue and fill the filter. Don’t forget to bleed the air from your filter when prime is established. More information about <a href=”http://aquanutspoolservices.com/”>pool service</a> here.
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