POOL EQUIPMENT

PUMP Your pool pump should be manufactured by a company that makes swimming pool pumps, not well pumps. A pool pump can run continuously twenty-four hours per day and not be hurt. You will hurt the motor by running the pump on an undersized power feed, as it will overheat. If you ruin a pump motor by using an undersized cord or other feed, you will have to buy another one. This is not a warranty issue, but a problem of you failing to follow the instructions. Running the pump without water in the pump basket (primed) will cause the pump to heat and distort internal parts.

FILTER Your pool sand filter contains graded silica sand and uses a “Multiport” valve to control the functions of the filter. Normally the “filter” position is used when circulating water and the “backwash” position is used to clean the filter.

MULTIPORT VALVE: The sand filters that we use come with a special valve called a multiport valve attached to the filter. This valve is sometimes confusing to the new owner and for that reason we will go over a quick outline of what the positions of the valve do and when to use them.

NOTE: THE MULTIPORT VALVE HANDLE MUST NEVER BE MOVED WHEN THE PUMP IS RUNNING. THE VALVE MAY BE DAMAGED.

FILTER: Filter is just what it says. The water flows over the sand bed in the normal manner filtering the water. When the valve is in this position, the water is being filtered and returned to the pool.

RINSE: Rinse cleans the valve itself. After backwashing the filter, some people prefer to put the handle in the rinse position for about 10 to15 seconds to remove dirty water from the valve. Water is being wasted when the Rinse position is chosen.

RECIRCULATE: Recirculate is a serviceman’s position that allows the main body of the filter to be removed and serviced. The owner normally will not use this position.

BACKWASH: Backwash is the position selected to clean the filter. In this position the water flow through the filter is reversed and all of the dirt and trash captured by the filter is removed and sent to waste.

CLOSED: Closed is used only when the pump is off. Closed does just what it says, closes the valve so no water flows through the valve. IF YOU OPERATE THE PUMP WITH THE VALVE CLOSED, SOMETHING WILL BREAK!

WASTE: Waste is used to remove water from the pool without cleaning the filter. Waste is used to lower the water level after a big rain, or vacuuming the pool when it is really dirty. Water is removed from the pool when this position is selected.

The normal position of the multiport valve handle is in the filter position. As the filter becomes dirty, the pressure will rise in the filter and the flow of water returning to the pool will be reduced. Select Backwash when the flow of water coming out of the return is noticeably less than normal. If you have a pressure gauge, you will see a higher-pressure reading as the filter became dirty.

Remember, only move the multiport handle when the pump is off!

SKIMMER Your skimmer is an important part of the filtering system. The skimmer has a little door called a weir that keeps debris from flowing back into the pool once it enters the skimmer. The basket in the skimmer should be checked for debris at least once a day and cleaned if necessary. It is easier to turn the pump off before you try to remove the basket.

LINER Your liner needs to be cleaned and protected from the sun. Use 303tm or a similar lubricant placed on a sponge and wiped on the liner above the water once per month. Do not use Armor-All or similar products as they contain chemicals that are actually harmful to liners and also “mess up” you pool chemistry.

VALVE Located in front of the pump may be a three-way valve. One side adjusts the water flow from the skimmer to the pump. The other way adjusts the flow from the main drains. Bypassing the handle stops keeps water from the pump and will cause damage if you run the pump with the handle in this position.

DRAINS In spite of the name, these fixtures have nothing to do with draining the pool. Their purpose is to aid in the circulation of the water in the pool and to make it easier to clean sand and other small trash from the bottom of the pool. Main Drains should be called something like “Under Water Suction Ports.”

NOTE: NEVER EMPTY YOUR POOL. YOU CAN DESTROY YOUR POOL! In a liner pool you will ruin the liner and at a minimum have to buy a new liner, and in the case of the gunite or fiberglass pool, you may actually cause the pool to “float” and develop serious structural cracks.

Leaf Master If you have a problem with leaves or pine straw clogging up your vacuum system; there is a device that attaches to your garden hose and an aluminum pool pole that will pick up the large leaves and other debris from the bottom of the pool.

LIGHT Your pool could have an underwater light installed in the pool. This system uses the cooling effect of the water returning to the pool to keep the bulb from overheating so you should not turn on the light for very long without having the pump circulating water.

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