Hi again guys,
My apologies to those good folks here I got to know a few years ago for my absence over the last 3 years or so. I have been battling cancer which has adjusted my life priorities somewhat, but now I am back !!!
I need some advice on what I think is looking like some pump and filter upgrades that may be in my immediate future, and before I get my local pool store in (who I know will automatically just try to sell me stuff anyway, because they are a chain franchise and don’t really care) I wanted to check in here first.
Symptoms:
- Pressure gauge on the filter now reads in the red, approx 30% higher than usual. Skimmer basket is clear and so is the secondary filter in the pump. It’s a sand filter, I have never changed the sand in the 11 years I have had this pool. I know there is wisdom here that suggests sand shouldn’t need to be changed, but possibly mine has been badly neglected.
- Chlorinator cell is showing signs of calcium build up. I replaced the entire chlorinator unit (controller and cell) approx 8 years ago. Not sure what the expected life of these units is.
- The water seldom fills the chlorinator cell now when the pump is on - possibly because the gauge is reading in the red.
My gut feel is, worst case, I am up for a new pump, a new chlorinator cell, and possibly either new sand, or maybe an entire filter renewal.
I am happy to perform any sanity checks or basic maintenance needed before I call for a professional assessment, but bearing in mind I am a mere Computer Science guy, I am no plumber or mechanical engineer !!!
Happy 2021 to all.
Sal
My apologies to those good folks here I got to know a few years ago for my absence over the last 3 years or so. I have been battling cancer which has adjusted my life priorities somewhat, but now I am back !!!
I need some advice on what I think is looking like some pump and filter upgrades that may be in my immediate future, and before I get my local pool store in (who I know will automatically just try to sell me stuff anyway, because they are a chain franchise and don’t really care) I wanted to check in here first.
Symptoms:
- Pressure gauge on the filter now reads in the red, approx 30% higher than usual. Skimmer basket is clear and so is the secondary filter in the pump. It’s a sand filter, I have never changed the sand in the 11 years I have had this pool. I know there is wisdom here that suggests sand shouldn’t need to be changed, but possibly mine has been badly neglected.
- Chlorinator cell is showing signs of calcium build up. I replaced the entire chlorinator unit (controller and cell) approx 8 years ago. Not sure what the expected life of these units is.
- The water seldom fills the chlorinator cell now when the pump is on - possibly because the gauge is reading in the red.
My gut feel is, worst case, I am up for a new pump, a new chlorinator cell, and possibly either new sand, or maybe an entire filter renewal.
I am happy to perform any sanity checks or basic maintenance needed before I call for a professional assessment, but bearing in mind I am a mere Computer Science guy, I am no plumber or mechanical engineer !!!
Happy 2021 to all.
Sal