when to use recirculate on pool filter

Author: Poolking - Swimming Pool Equipment Manufacturer

Recirculating Your Pool Filter: Why and When You Should Do It

Having a swimming pool in your backyard is undoubtedly one of the best things that you can possibly have on a hot summer day. But keeping your pool clean and hygienic requires a bit of effort and investment. One of the essential maintenance tasks that you need to perform periodically is backwashing your pool filter. However, there might be instances where backwashing is not necessarily the optimal choice. In such situations, you can make use of the recirculate function on your pool filter. In this article, we look at when you should use recirculate on a pool filter and the benefits that it offers.

What is Recirculate on a Pool Filter?

Before we dive deep into the topic of when to use recirculate on a pool filter, let's understand what it means. Recirculate is one of the options that most pool filters offer. When you select this option, the pool water is diverted from the filter and flows back into the pool. The water bypasses the filter and does not get cleaned or filtered.

Why Use Recirculate?

Now that we know what recirculate means let's explore some reasons why you would use it. Here are some of the situations where utilizing the recirculate function might be the best option.

1. Chemical Imbalance

One of the primary reasons why you should use recirculate is when there is a chemical imbalance in your pool water. If the pH or chlorine levels are off, it can impact the efficiency of your pool filter. In such cases, recirculating the pool water will help to redistribute the chemicals evenly throughout the pool, allowing the water to stabilize before you start using the filter again.

2. Newly Filled Pool

When you fill your pool with fresh water, it is not necessary to filter the water immediately. The water will need to circulate for a while to allow the chemicals to distribute evenly. Turning on the filter immediately after filling the pool can lead to the chemicals getting trapped in the filter, decreasing its efficiency. Instead, recirculating the pool water for 12-24 hours before using the filter is recommended.

3. Cleaning the Pool

If you're utilizing chemicals or brushing to clean the walls of your pool, recirculate will come in handy. The reason being chemicals and particles can cloud the water in your pool, making it more difficult to see while cleaning. Using recirculate mode will allow the chemicals and particles to move around and redeposit themselves in the water column, clearing the pool's water.

4. Check Pool Equipment

Recirculating the water through pool equipment like heaters, pumps, or filters is a good way to check if the equipment is working correctly before fully utilizing them. Checking this is important because it is better to troubleshoot before a job is in progress.

5. Resetting Filter

If for some reason, such as debris getting trapped, your pool filter gets jammed, it is better to reset the system once you've cleaned out the pool. By resetting the filter, any debris acquired previously would not find its way back into your pool.

Conclusion

In conclusion, recirculating your pool water can benefit you in several ways. Whether you're cleaning the pool, resetting the filter, or checking equipment, pool owners can ease this process by using the recirculate function. Recirculating your pool helps to evenly distribute chemicals and reduce any potential clumping. Taking such steps in pool maintenance can end up saving time and money in the long run, which means more time enjoying your pool with family and friends!