Newbie...Pump/filter maintenance and monitoring

[lindz18]

I have a 20-24k (not exactly sure yet) pool, vinyl, 18x36 that we adopted when we bought our house... It has a Hayward filter, and I am not really sure of the pump brand. I also have a booster pump for my Polaris 280. I will attach pics. The actual pool pump was replaced in late Summer of 13. Sand was changed 3 years ago.

My questions:
1:What things do i need to perform maint. on?
2: I do know to backwash. However, I don't know how many times in a period of time. I have heard so many different things.
3: O-rings... Which ones can I check and change and how often do I lube them?
4: What else am I missing?

 

[pooldv]

Welcome to TFP!

Do you have a test kit from the Test Kit Comparison?

Here are some intro Pool School articles
TFPC for Beginners
ABC's of Pool Water Chemistry

Here are the Recommended Levels for your pool.
Here are the Recommended Pool Chemicals
Use PoolMath to figure out how much to add.

Backwash your filter when the pressure rises 20-25% above the clean pressure.
Here is everything you ever wanted know about a sand filter,
http://www.troublefreepool.com/threads/73192-Deep-Cleaning-a-Sand-Filter

 

[Isaac-1]

Just to add one thing on the topic of sand filters, sand almost never needs to be changed, it should last the life of the filter / pool

 

[lindz18]

Yes, I have a Taylor k2006 kit. Switching to methods taught here. Have been getting cya level down from well over 100. My pump doesn't have a pressure gauge. Hmmmmm

 

[pooldv]

Pressure gauge on the filter, not the pump.

 

[lindz18]

Don't have one there either

 

[Isaac-1]

You should have a socket for one, 1/4 inch NPT fitting, probably with a plug in near the top of the filter.

 

[lindz18]

You should have a socket for one, 1/4 inch NPT fitting, probably with a plug in near the top of the filter.

Yep! Found it. Do I just unscrew that and screw pressure gauge in? Surely it isn't that easy!

 

[Isaac-1]

Almost that easy you will need to wrap the threads with teflon tape or use pipe dope to keep it from leaking.

 

[lindz18]

Got ya! Will the pump need to be turned off?

 

[Isaac-1]

It will be less interesting with it turned off, you will be less wet afterward also.

 

[lindz18]

It will be less interesting with it turned off, you will be less wet afterward also.

You just took all the fun out of it!!!