Only a few places in the home can help you unwind as fast and as easily as your swimming pool. However, for you to get the full dividends of this special area, you have to make sure that everything in your pool is as it should be.
So, even if your pool is looking nice and clean, having your swimming pool filter pressure gauge reading 0 PSI is something you absolutely do not want to happen!
To that end, we’ll be helping you figure out how to deal with this issue like a pro here!
Filter Pressure Gauge – What It Is
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Before you can confidently handle the maintenance of your swimming pool, one tool you need to understand is the filter pressure gauge. Simply put, this is a dial that’s situated at the top of your filter. Its purpose is to give an accurate reading of the pressure levels of the system in the body of water.
Your filter, the design it’s attached to, what is responsible for catching and disposing of the tiny debris and particles that inevitably makes its way into the pool. Because of this, one of the first ways to know if there’s anything wrong with the filter, and by extension, your pool is if the filter pressure gauge is out of whack.
The manual of a typical filter gauge reads from 0-60 PSI.
What it Means When Your Filter Pressure Gauge Reads 0
As you now know, your pool filter and gauge are intricately connected. So, when you notice a PSI reading of 0, there is ultimately only one of two causes.
The first is if the filter pressure gauge is busted. In this instance, there is no pressure signal that is communicated from the filter that will reflect in the gauge. This is more so the case if it was the air bleeder (a mechanical assembly inside the gauge) that was damaged.
In this case, all you need do is change the filter gauge and you’ll get a more precise reading.
However, an arguably far more common cause of a 0 PSI reading is if there is absence of sufficient pressure to actually move the needle in the first place. This typically points to a problem with certain parts of your pool’s filter pressure system.
Common components that can be damaged that can cause this phenomenon include but aren’t limited to the pump basket, the main pump itself, the skimmer basket, and even the main drains.
A problem in any or all of these areas will result in an immediate decrease in the pressure of the filter. Hence, you get a 0 reading.
What Should the Pool Filter Pressure Gauge Read?
Broadly speaking, there isn’t any standard or approved “ideal” gauge level reading for your filter. What makes this a little more complicated is that the physics of the specific mechanism you use here will also play a strong role here. This is because no two systems will be built the same way.
So, this means that, for the most part, you have to play the whole thing by ear.
But that said, the lowest reading you should get from your filter pressure gauge is 10 PSI while it shouldn’t exceed 25 PSI, at the highest.
It also helps if you’ve been noting the average pressure reading of your filter in the past. That way, you basically know what to expect from it and you can promptly detect if things are not as they ought to be.
Factors That Cause Pool Filter Pressure Gauge Reading 0
Numerous variables can be responsible for abnormal filter readings. However, before you get the opinion of an on-site professional on this, some factors that may cause this issue you should know include;
Reason 1: The Presence of Dirt and Impurities in the Filter Media
The major job of your filter system is to rid the water of all particles of dirt, debris, and impurities present therein. Now, in the course of doing so, the filter media can get over-saturated with that payload.
This may in turn cause pressure to build up in the filter as the system will experience increasing difficulty filtering due to the clog in place. The thicker that block becomes, the higher the readings of the filter gauge will likely go.
How to Fix This
The best method of approach is to ensure you do regular maintenance. Be sure to backwash the filter from time to time and evacuate the debris and dirt found in it completely.
Reason 2: Damage in Key Areas of the System
Another thing that can seriously affect the readings of the filter pressure gauge is if certain parts of the system aren’t functioning as they should. In some cases, parts like the pump basket, the skimmer basket, or the main drains may be damaged.
When this happens, the amount of pressure that the filter system can build up may suffer. Depending on the extent of the damage and the exact parts affected, you could get extremely low PSI readings or not even get any reading at all.
How to Fix This
Doing this requires taking more preventative measures. So, you don’t need to wait until you see low readings before you give your filter pressure system a quick once-over.
However, if the damage has already been done, you may want to call in a professional to take a look, if you’re not very handy.
Reason 3: The Air Relief Valve Might be Faulty
The function of this part of the filter system is to free any air caught up in the system during the cleaning process. However, sometimes, air can build up without being released. This can cause the reading of your gauge to get a bit high.
How to Fix This
Once you notice unusually high PSI readings, you can use your air relief valve. By doing so, the built-up air will be promptly vented and you should get more precise readings.
Conclusion
The role of your filter pressure gauge in ensuring your safety is a major one. Paying attention to the pressure readings does more than just help you ensure that your pool is in the best condition for you at all times.
It also saves you a few extra bucks as you’ll be able to detect potential problems much faster and call in the needed help on time. The best part of actually leveraging this device is that its readings are simple to interpret! So, if you’re not doing so already, make sure you start paying attention to your pool filter pressure gauge readings today!