Pressure a bit higher than normal

[skillset]

I opened my pool today and started my routine in balancing the water with BBB. I've been an avid follower for the past 4 years and have great results.

Anyway, I notice my PSI guage is reading 21 (after cleaning/backwashing). Over the past few years, my pressure's always been 18. THis is getting to me. The water is moving through the pump nicely - no air pockets seen. No leaking air/foaming through the returns that I can tell. The returns seem as strong as I remember - so I'm not detecting anything there. The only thing that may be slightly off is my skimmer. Doesn't seem to be pulling things in like it used to - but this could be my imagination at work trying to find something!

I guess I could just accept the 21, but just wondering if anyone out there could suggest any thing to check given the "clockwork" 18 I'm used to seeing year after year.

Running a Hayward Superpump and Hayward Sand Filter in an IG FG 10K gal pool. Both originals - 5 years old. No maintanance on either ever done. Also have a Hayward chlorinator attached that I haven't used in years. The plugs on the chloronator and pump are tight.

Thanks!

 

[JasonLion]

There are two possibilities, either there is some flow restriction on the filter side of the pump causing the pressure to be higher, perhaps a closed valve or a dirty filter, or the gauge is broken. Filter pressure gauges tend to be cheap and break easily.

 

[skillset]

Thanks, Jason. Might not hurt investing in a new guage - the one is showing it's signs of wear.

I've never used Filter Cleaner but I did pick some up at Lelies a few weeks ago when I was buying CYA. Will give that a try. Again - haven't done anything to the sand filter since I've got it - so other recommendations on cleaning welcome.

Can the filter "issue" cause reduced suction from the skimmer?

 

[JasonLion]

Either way, a pressure side blockage or a dirty filter will cause reduced suction, though I wouldn't expect the difference to be dramatic.