Here are just a couple of quick swimming pool equipment maintenance tips to help keep things running smoothly. Be sure to read your equipment manuals and follow the manufacturers’ recommendations.

If you have a Sand or DE filter you probably have a Multi-Port Valve that either attached to the top of your filter or is mounted on the side of your filter. The handle you push down when you want to change a function has a spring under which you can’t see. It is a good idea once or twice during the pool season, turn your pump off, push the handle down and spray some type of lubricant under the handle to keep the spring lubricated.

The pump has a lid that has an o-ring either that mounts on the lid or has a grove in the pump it mounts to. This o-ring needs to be lubricated with o-ring lube to help it seal better and make it easier for you to remove the pump lid to clean the strainer basket. If the o-ring does not seal properly, your pump may not prime or the strainer basket may not fill up completely with water. You will notice a lot of air bubbles.

On the pump you also have drain plugs. Most of these drain plugs have a small o-ring. If this o-ring is missing or broken, a lot of air will get into your filtration system and the pump may have a hard time priming or the strainer basket may not fill up with water. Make sure the o-ring is in place. You can wrap a small amount of Teflon tape around the threads and cover that with o-ring lube. If you have an Automatic Chlorinator, this unit has an o-ring. This o-ring is either mounted in the top of the lid or on the chlorinator itself. This o-ring will wear out and become brittle and may have some small breaks in it. This could cause air leaks. Replace if needed and cover with o-ring lube.