Pool supplies

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When dealing with pool supplies, there are simply too many things to know for one single person to be able to keep up with. So, instead of trying to keep all of the things that you might need to know in your memory, instead use this site as a reference that you can come back to every once in a while in order to get some more information and expertise.

Two of the most important supplies that a person can have in his pool are motors and pumps. Not only are these items must-haves, but they are also a couple of items that can be difficult to maintain if you do not know what you are doing.

Before you can even think about knowing how to fix these pumps, you will need to understand them. Newer pumps are generally constructed as closed-faced impellers instead of the older semi-open face impellers. The good thing about the closed-face impellers is that they can be as much as 50 percent more efficient than the older style.

So, when it comes time to consider purchasing a pump, first-time or replacement, it is very important to know how to buy a pump that matches the specifications for plumbing and filtering. This is a matter of closely comparing manufacturer’s recommendations with product labeling, or paying someone else to get the right pump for you.

Next, when it comes to pumps and the pump seal in relation to pool supplies, you need to remember that pumps and pump seals are constructed using materials such as graphite and ceramic elements, which are fragile. This means you must handle with care. Dropping the pump or allowing it to be banged around will lead to irreparable damage.

There are some guidelines that you can follow when dealing with these pool supplies that will allow you to avoid damage:
• Never run the pump when it is not in the water. Running it out of the water is called a “dry” run. Since pumps are designed to be cooled by the water they run in, dry running will quickly overheat and burn it out.
• Although you may think you are doing the device a favor, you should also never lubricate or grease a pump seal. Doing something like this could cause even more damage.
• Lastly, do not ever touch the graphite and ceramic faces of a seal.

Doing any one of these things could put you on the quick road to buying a replacement, but following these rules will help you avoid such a problem.

One of the other things you may want to know how to do with these pool supplies is to be able to clean the pump strainer basket. There are five main steps to performing this function in the proper way:

1. Turn off the motor. This step might seem simple, but it is very important to your safety.
2. Loosen the bolts holding down the pump strainer basket lid and then simply remove the lid. You can buy or may already have a lid removal tool, which makes this part much easier.
3. Remove the pump strainer basket and clean it out. When you do this, you should also check on the O-ring in order to make sure it is still round, not cracked or dried out, and in good shape.

You should then get a Teflon-based lubricant and place it around the O-ring. It is important NOT to use Vaseline or any other petroleum-based lubricants because these will cause the rubber to deteriorate.

Because motors and pumps are two of the most important pool supplies that a person can have, it is important that you know a little bit about how to use them and what to do if you have any problems with them.

Virginia Graeme
Baker Pool and Spa
Safety Act

See our products that
comply with this important
legislation for all
public pools and spas.

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