Pool Pumps: How They Work and How to Maintain Them
How pool pumps circulate and filter water, with sizing, operation, and maintenance guidance.
Choose, operate, maintain, and troubleshoot pool pumps, filters, heaters, cleaners, plumbing, and automation systems.
Pick the setup question, maintenance job, or symptom you need to handle next.
How pool pumps circulate and filter water, with sizing, operation, and maintenance guidance.
Five ways to diagnose a noisy pool pump, reduce common sounds, and determine when equipment needs repair.
The best inground pool cleaners of 2026 compared by type, cleaning coverage, features, and maintenance needs.
Solar heaters for above-ground pools in 2026 compared by size, heating capacity, installation, and operating cost.
Six pool lights for 2026 compared by design, brightness, installation, and energy use.
Inground pool heaters for 2026 compared by fuel type, output, efficiency, installation, and operating cost.
The best gas pool heaters of 2026 compared for output, efficiency, price, and pool size.
Above-ground pool heaters for 2026 compared across solar, electric, and gas options by output, cost, and installation.
The best above-ground pool cleaners of 2026 compared by cleaner type, pool coverage, features, and upkeep.
The top pressure-side pool cleaners of 2026 compared by coverage, debris handling, pump requirements, and value.
The best suction pool cleaners of 2026 compared by pool compatibility, debris handling, features, and maintenance.
Robotic pool cleaners for 2026 compared by pool coverage, filtration, navigation, scheduling, and energy use.
The best pool pumps of 2026 compared for flow, energy use, performance, price, and pool compatibility.
Gas, electric, and solar pool heaters compared for performance, energy use, cost, and climate.
Digital, analog, and solar pool thermometers for 2026 compared by accuracy, display, placement, and durability.
Pool skimmer operation, cleaning, maintenance, and troubleshooting for weak suction, clogs, and damaged parts.
How to replace pool filter sand, including shutdown, tank cleanup, refilling, and system restart.
Automatic pool chlorinator operation, tablet loading, output adjustment, maintenance, and common limitations.
A DIY solar pool heater build costing under $100, with materials, assembly, placement, and operating guidance.
D.E. and sand pool filters compared for filtration, maintenance, operating cost, and pool compatibility.
How to clean sand, cartridge, and D.E. pool filters, with the correct maintenance method for each.
Pool aerator operation, cooling and circulation effects, pH considerations, installation, and maintenance.
How and when to backwash a sand filter, including valve settings, rinse steps, and pressure checks.
Lower-cost pool heating options using solar covers, heaters, and DIY approaches, with cost and climate tradeoffs.
Pool plumbing components, routine maintenance, and troubleshooting for leaks, flow problems, valves, and fittings.
Sand, cartridge, and D.E. pool filters compared for filtration, maintenance, cost, and pool compatibility.
Troubleshooting steps for common Polaris pool cleaner problems involving movement, pressure, hoses, and debris pickup.
How and when to backwash a pool filter, including valve settings, rinse steps, and pressure checks.
How to read a pool filter pressure gauge, recognize abnormal readings, and use pressure changes to guide maintenance.
A four-step pool pump priming process covering water fill, valve position, startup, and checks for persistent air leaks.
Solar pool heater types, sizing, installation, operating cost, and climate factors to consider before buying.
Pool multiport valve settings explained, with operating guidance, maintenance, and troubleshooting.
Pool light bulb replacement steps covering power shutdown, fixture removal, seal inspection, testing, and reinstallation.
Seven checks for diagnosing a pool pump that will not start, prime, circulate, or run normally.
How to find and fix air leaks in a pool pump system, restore prime, and verify normal circulation.
Pool valve types, their roles in circulation, operating positions, maintenance, and troubleshooting.
How pool return jets support circulation, how to aim them, and what to check when flow is weak.
How pool heat pumps work, with sizing, efficiency, climate, installation, and maintenance considerations.
How variable-speed pool pumps reduce energy use and noise, with speed-setting, sizing, and cost considerations.
How to set daily pool pump run time based on pool volume, flow rate, water conditions, and energy use.
Pool automation options for pumps, heaters, lights, and sanitizing equipment, with setup and compatibility considerations.
Polaris pool cleaner models, features, operating requirements, and differences compared for pool owners.
Five pool fountain benefits, including water movement, cooling, appearance, and circulation considerations.
Six automatic pool timers for 2026 compared by scheduling, electrical ratings, installation, controls, and energy use.