Maybe you are waiting for a filter replacement and you are now wondering whether or not you can run a pool pump without a filter. Well, the short answer is yes, you can run a pool pump without a filter but there is more to it.
You should never randomly open the pool pump to circulate the water for no reason.It is risky not only on the water pipes but also on the pool pump because of debris.
The debris that the filter collects will go straight to the pool pump damaging it in the long run. So be careful when you run the pool pump without the filter cartridges inside it to keep it safe.
The filters inside the pool pump or the ones on the pool are very important in keeping the swimming pool clean. They also help keep the integrity of the equipment around it.
So as much as possible, never remove the pool filter unless necessary. This will help you eliminate threats to both the pool liner, pieces of equipment, and your family’s health.
While it is also possible to run the pool pump without the filters, you should know when to do this. You should do it when necessary to avoid damages and health risks.
So if you want to know when and what situations you should consider opening the pool pump without the filters, read on as we get into detail on this topic and see what you should do.
This article will tell you when you can run the pool pump without the filter, what happens when you do it, and what you should do and expect when this happens to keep the pool safe.
When Do You Run The Pool Pump Without The Filter?
One common reason why you should run the pool pump without the filter is when the filter itself is damaged and needs replacing. This is a really important matter that you should pay attention to.
A dirty filter or a damaged one can hinder the pool pump’s ability to function and put up numbers as it used to. The pool pump needs to circulate the water in the swimming pool.
So if your filter is damaged or needs cleaning, get it out of the pump and clean it quickly while keeping the pool pump running. This will help avoid stagnant water in the pool.
As we all know, stagnant water is a perfect breeding ground for bacteria, mosquitoes, debris, algae, and other microorganisms that can pose threats to the pool liner and your health too.
How to clean them…
If the swimming pool does not have the filters on, it needs backup help to keep the water clean. Chemicals are the ones that come to mind when you think of cleaning the pool.
Chemicals do not necessarily remove the debris or microorganisms from the water. Still, they eliminate them by not letting them reproduce or even live in the water to keep it safe.
However, you cannot dump the chemicals in the water while waiting for the filter to be replaced or cleaned. You need to properly circulate the chemicals in the swimming pool.
To do that, you need to turn the pool pump on so the chemicals get evenly distributed in the water. All corners of the pool will be safe from contamination with this.
Restricted Flow
When a pool filter is damaged, the usual indication is a restricted flow. This means that the water return is not as strong as it used to be making the water stagnant in some areas.
So while fixing those problems, you can still run the pool pump.
To do that, you need to bypass the filters by using a hose that will redirect the water out of the filters so you can fix them while also keeping the pool pump running to distribute chemicals.
Whatever the case may be, running the pool pump without the filter should only be temporary. The filter does an important job so make sure to keep it as much as possible.
Replacing And Cleaning The Cartridge Filters
You should run the pool pump while replacing or cleaning the filter cartridges. This will keep the water flowing and the chemicals get distributed evenly throughout the swimming pool.
But you need to do it quickly so you should know in what condition your filter should be before putting it back. You also need to know how to do proper maintenance to save money and time.
You do not have to spend time waiting for the maintenance people to replace or lean the filter cartridges because the longer the pool pump runs without the filters, the riskier it will be.
Keep the filter well-lubricated to let it run smoothly. Also, do not stick with filters used after a long time and not be afraid to replace them.
Cleaning Filters…
When you have cleaned your pool pump’s filter at least 10 or 15 times, you need to replace that. Even if you do not see it, there are damages inside that filter already.
Cleaning the filters is as easy as spraying water in between the flaps. This removes the debris and keeps the algae from growing so you need to do that now and then.
Cartridge filters do not have a backwash option, so cleaning them requires you to turn the pool pump off and disassemble the housing to access the filter cartridges.
It is a tedious process, but you will only need to do it up to twice a year. These filters are powerful and can hold up so much debris so they do not need cleaning regularly.
Drying
People often seem to forget that although the filter is involved with a lot of water, one of the most important parts of cleaning is letting it dry before putting it back in the pump.
Letting the filter air dry is important because it can help in eliminating the germs inside it. It will dehydrate them and kill them eventually so they do not build up inside the pool pump.
Why Filters Are Important
The chemicals in the pool need circulation so that the pool pump needs to be ON. These chemicals will then kill the algae and bacteria inside the swimming pool to keep it clean.
Once the chemicals do that and your pool pump is still running, you will only be circulating water filled with killed microorganisms. So you need the filter to hold them and prevent them from going back.
Keeping the filter clean will also enhance the performance of the pool pump. It will allow the water to flow freely while also keeping as much dirt as it can.
Conclusion
Pool pumps run without the filter to keep the circulation of water. Doing this should also be temporary as it will not help in cleaning the water.
So if you want to run the pool pump without the filter, you should only do it in a few hours. Be quick in cleaning the filter so that the pump and the pool do not take any damage.
Follow the guide above to know how you can properly clean the pool filters. Make sure to also assemble the parts properly and install the housing tightly when you run the pump without the filters.
So yes, you can run the pool pump without a filter but you also need to consider cleaning the filters properly so you do not risk damaging the pool pump and your family’s health.
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