Troubleshooting common pool filter issues and how to fix them
Keen to resolve an issue with your pool filtration system? You’ve come to the right place. The team of pool design, building, and maintenance professionals at Chemsol Group has extensive experience identifying and solving a wide range of pool filter problems.
Whether you’re worried about low pressure or excess noise, explore our list of common pool filter problems and the different solutions that can fix them.
Most common pool filter issues
Pool filter pressure is too low
Issue: Following low pool filter pressure, you’re likely to notice cloudy water, algae growth, and weak water flow, impacting both the safety and comfort of your swimming pool.
Solution: If the filter pressure gauge reads zero (or close to this) when the pump is running and the value is in filter or backwash mode, you may have an issue with either the pressure gauge dial or be facing a pool filter clog.
Start by inspecting the gauge dial for damage or warping and checking the water flow. If there’s an issue here, these inexpensive swimming pool filtration system components can be easily replaced.
Alternatively, if there’s no issue with the gauge and water isn’t moving through the system at a normal rate, you should check for system clogs or obstructions before the swimming pool filtration pump.
Broken values before the pool filtration pump and pump air leaks can also lead to a drop in pressure, so you should also check these components for any damage.
Pool filter pressure is too high
Issue: Depending on what’s causing the high pressure in your pool filter, you may see dirty pool water or be putting your system at risk of rupturing with significant, dangerous force.
Solution: In many cases, high filter pressure can be caused by a dirty pool filter. Fortunately, this can be easily rectified with regular backwashing and cleaning as per the manufacturer's instructions.
Substantially higher pool filter pressure can also be the result of blockages in the system after the filter and pump as well as issues with the values (such as the return, filter, and bypass valves) being closed or damaged.
Start by checking the relevant valves and ensuring the pipes aren’t clogged with debris. However, proceed with extreme caution as very high pool filter pressure (40 PSI or higher) can be dangerous – typically, swimming pool filtration systems operate between 3-30 PSI.
Pool filter is making the water cloudy
Issue: Not only is cloudy pool water visually unappealing, but it could also signal that your filter isn’t doing its job, putting you at greater risk of being exposed to dirt, debris, and other contaminants.
Solution: Cloudy pool water can be caused by a range of issues including chemical water imbalances, sanitation, and circulation. However, if there’s no issue with this aspect of your pool, the efficacy of the filter could be the issue.
To ensure the most effective swimming pool water filtration, you must check that the pool filter is sized properly for both the pool and the pump and that the filter media doesn’t need replacing or cleaning.
Often, cloudy pool water as a result of the filter can be easily rectified by replacing the filter media (sand, cartridges, or Diatomaceous Earth). However, you may want to try increasing the running time of the pool pump for more comprehensive filtration.
Explore Chemsol’s pool filtration packages
Still struggling to identify and resolve a problem you’re having with your pool filtration system? Look no further than the team of experienced engineers at Chemsol Group.
As luxury swimming pool solutions and water treatment specialists that have worked on both residential and commercial projects, our expert team can diagnose and rectify a variety of pool water filtration system issues.
For more regular maintenance and support, why not explore our range of comprehensive pool filtration packages? You can learn more about these services by calling us on 01492 582 888, emailing us at info@chemsol.co.uk, or using our online contact form to reach out.