Pool filtration pump maintenance is something we necessarily need to put in place if we want our pumping and filtration system to work properly. It is not a complicated operation but definitely important. A few simple steps that ensure the product's durability and efficiency.

Swimming pool pumps are a central element in water filtration equipment. They serve to ensure constant recirculation by pushing water into the filter and then returning it filtered back into the pool. We must consider that the sizing of the pool pump is primarily related to the volume of water it must treat. A complete filtration cycle indicates the time it takes for all the water in the pool to be filtered. When it comes to choosing the right pump, one must consider that in a swimming pool there are usually two complete filtration cycles in 24 hours.

Maintaining a pool water filtration pump requires checking a few major components. In particular, for the proper functioning of the pump, the gaskets are of paramount importance. It follows that their condition should be checked periodically. Particularly relevant are the gaskets that protect the motor shaft. Water seepage into the motor can, in fact, damage the pump irreparably. Therefore, it is essential to move ahead with scheduled inspections and, if necessary, to intervene promptly with the replacement of the seals if abnormal noises are heard coming from the motor. Especially in pools that use salt for disinfection, given the corrosive power of this element, it is advisable to use high-quality, very robust seals. In this also the use of pumps with mechanical components made of stainless steel, used for example for the motor shaft or mechanical seals, are an absolute guarantee of durability.

The operation of the pool pump is inextricably linked to the operation of the filter. Consequently, the maintenance of the pump should also be considered as one with the maintenance of the filter. In particular, we consider here the maintenance of the sand filter, which is one of the most commonly used filtration systems for in-ground and above-ground swimming pools.

In such a filter system, the pump sends water into a tank where quartz sand is contained. The passage of water through the sand allows it to retain debris and polluting particles. If the filter is maintained regularly and in the correct manner, the sand does not need to be replaced before a few years.

Routine maintenance of the filter requires turning on the backwash function. The filter is usually equipped with a 6-way valve corresponding to as many functions:

Once the pump is turned off, you proceed to place the valve in "backwash" mode and open the drain valve, if any. You turn the pump back on and run it until the water coming out is clean. Subsequently placing the valve on "rinse" will remove any remaining debris. At this point you turn the pump off again, set the valve to filtration mode, close the flush valve and turn the pump back on.

To know when it is time to perform this routine maintenance operation, you can check the pressure indicated by the pressure gauge. When it is turned on, the pressure is usually less than 1 bar. When the pressure increases, to over 1.5 bar, it is time to take action. The increase in pressure, in fact, is due to the accumulation of impurities in the sand that make it more difficult for the water to be recirculated.

Along with routine maintenance, it is also a good idea to schedule an annual filter cleaning with specific disinfectant products.

Finally, if the pool is emptied at the end of the season, it is a good idea to remove the water from the filter and set the six-way valve to the "closed" position.