Print this quick checklist out, laminate it, or keep it by your equipment pad to catch minor issues before they turn into major repair bills.
Checklist Document Download📅 [ ] Fill in the Date: _______________
1. Water Level & Circulation
- [ ] Check the Mid-Skimmer Line: Ensure water sits exactly halfway up the skimmer mouth. If it’s too low, your pump will suck in air and risk melting its internal seals.
- [ ] Check Pump Priming: Look through the clear lid on your pump. The housing should be completely packed with moving water—no large pockets of air or heavy bubbling.
2. Debris Control
- [ ] Empty Skimmer Baskets: Clear out leaves and twigs so water can flow freely.
- [ ] Empty Pump Basket: Turn off the motor, open the pump lid, and clear the basket.
- Pro-Tip: Never slam a plastic basket against concrete to clear it—gently tap it against your hand to prevent hairline cracks that let debris wreck your motor.
3. Pressure & Filtration
- [ ] Check the Pressure Gauge: Read the PSI on top of your filter.
- My Filter’s Clean Baseline: ________ PSI
- Current Reading: ________ PSI
- (If the current reading is 8 to 10 PSI higher than your baseline, it’s officially time to backwash or spray down your cartridges!)
4. Safe Chemical Feeding
- [ ] Check the Chlorinator / Floater: Add your sanitizer tablets to your floating dispenser or inline chemical feeder.
- Reminder: Never drop chlorine tablets directly into your skimmer box. When the pump shuts down, concentrated acid builds up right there and eats away your plumbing.
⚠️ The Golden Rule: Always turn off the pump motor before moving your filter's multiport valve handle (switching to backwash or rinse). Shifting it while the water is pumping will blow out the internal gaskets instantly!