If you’re looking to get the most out of your pump this year, then here are the three things you should know:

1. Air In Pool Pump

There are several things that may indicate air in the pool pump, from greenish waters to lack of suction at the skimmer, to having a pump basket not full of water.  The air can be mostly purged by simply forcing that air out with water.  You can do this by:

• Opening the valve that runs between the skimmer and the pump, and the valves to the drain and jets. Turn off the pump
• Water can be forced through the system simply by using a garden hose and wrapping tape or even an old sock around a garden hose.  Hold it down on the hole in the skimmer pot that leads to the pump, and keep it there until that force of water has pushed all of the air possible out of the system
• The pump may have difficulty priming if you have a clogged filter. Stop and take a few minutes to backwash the filter and make sure you have good, unrestricted flow. Finish the backwash to fully clear out the filter, and then restart the pump to see if this improves the ability to get your pool pump to prime.

2. When To Run Pool Pump

For whatever reason, many pool owners don’t run their pool pump as often as they should.  As a general rule, your pool pump should be running whenever your pool is open and in use for any type of swimming party where the pool water is being affected by the swimmer load. Continuous circulation will ensure that the water stays clean and is not affected by body oils, sun tan lotion and other contaminants from swimmers that can contribute to breaking down the pool chemicals leading to algae and bacteria growth.

3. When (Not) To Replace A Pool Pump

Here are some situations when the pump may not need to be replaced:

• Losing power: Often caused by a blocked filter
• Not priming:  Check the o-ring as it may be damaged or brittle.  Try forcing water into the pump by using a skimmer.
• Leaking:  If it’s a new leak and the pump is repaired quickly, you may not need to replace it.
• Sucking air:  Often due to pool skimmers, particularly if the pool water levels are too low

Shasta Pools is a Phoenix pool builder who provides a variety of services including swimming pool remodeling, commercial pool building, and pool service and repair. Since its establishment in 1967, Shasta has helped over 80,000 families realize their dream of pool ownership. By providing exceptional value, quality craftsmanship and superior customer service, the Shasta team continues to fulfill the corporate mission of astonishing and delighting their customers and exceeding expectations. You can learn more about Shasta Pools & Spas by visiting them online, or by connecting with them on Facebook or Twitter.