Pumps, filters and leaks guides

• Pool pump not working? What to check first and when to call a pro

  The main causes manufacturers list for a pool pump that stops are power not reaching the motor, a jammed impeller or a pump that has lost its prime and is sucking air. Check the switch, timer and safety switch, the water level, both baskets and the lid O-ring first. Anything inside the motor, its capacitor or its wiring is licensed electrical work in Queensland.

  14 min read

• Variable speed pool pumps: are they worth it, and how long do pool pumps last?

  A variable speed pool pump lets you set its motor speed, so the pool filters at low speed for longer and speeds up only for cleaning, backwashing or heating. Because, in theory, power drops far faster than flow as speed falls, it suits pools that filter daily, provided low speeds still give your chlorinator, heater and cleaner the flow they need.

  16 min read

• Is your pool leaking or just evaporating? How to tell

  Put a bucket of pool water on the second step, mark both levels, switch off the pump and auto top-up, and compare after 24 hours. If the pool drops further than the bucket, it is probably leaking. Repeat with the pump running: more loss then points to the filtration system or plumbing.

  12 min read

• Sand vs cartridge vs glass media vs DE: choosing a pool filter for a Sunshine Coast pool

  Neither filter wins outright. A sand or glass media filter is the simple backwash-and-go option, while a cartridge filter avoids backwash water and, by Zodiac's figures, filters finer. Glass media makers claim less backwash water than sand, and DE filters finest but needs fresh powder after every backwash. Choose by debris load, space, sewer access and upkeep.

  11 min read

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