Many pool owners find themselves dealing with large-scale pool problems that are expensive and time-consuming to fix. Luckily, there’s an easy way to avoid costly pool filter repairs by regularly checking your pool filter pressure gauge.
This small device acts as an early-warning system that can help you diagnose potential problems before they become severe. If you want to keep your pool filter in optimum shape, get in the habit of checking your pressure gauge regularly.
What Is a Pool Filter Pressure Gauge?
Pool filters rely on pressure to move water through the system. If the pressure is too low or too high, you run the risk of damaging your pool pump. The pool filter pressure gauge is a simple device that measures the pressure in your pool filter. It can provide you with insight into your filter’s current state and warn you if something’s going wrong.
You can find the pressure gauge at the top of the pool filter. It’s a small circle with numbers and a pointing hand that indicates the pressure. The pointer will move as the pressure changes, giving you an accurate measurement of the pressure inside the filter.
What Is Normal Pressure?
Unfortunately, there’s no magic number that you can apply to every pool filter. Some filters run best at 10 psi, while others run at 25 psi. It all depends on the pool filter’s design, its size, and the pump’s strength.
The best way to identify normal pressure is to check the pressure when you first install the filter. If everything is running efficiently, then it’s the perfect time to find the optimal pressure. Once you’ve had the filter for a couple of months, recheck the pressure when you replace the filter media.
These two baseline readings should give you a good idea of the normal pressure range of your pool filter. As long as your pressure reading is within these levels, you’re good to go.
What Happens When the Pressure Is Too High or Low?
Too High
High pressure is often an indicator of a dirty filter. Water has to work harder to flow through the filter and backs up slightly, resulting in higher pressure. A slightly higher than normal pressure isn’t something to worry about and can promote extra cleaning by catching even more dirt than usual.
However, if you see a rise of 10 psi above average, you’ll need to relieve some air or clean your filter, or both. Running your filter at high pressure can put extra wear on parts and can lead to expensive repairs in the future.
Too Low
If you notice a drop of 5 psi or more, your pressure is too low. If you’re lucky, this low pressure is due to a clog before the filter, which causes less water to reach the filter. If you’re unlucky, low pressure indicates a potential leak that can affect your entire filter system.
High or low water pressure can indicate problems with your filter. If you’ve exhausted potential minor fixes, consider giving Sunrise Pool a call at (678) 804-0050. We can handle any pool problem, no matter how large or small.