There are several high water pressure scenarios that come up and for one reason or another have no apparent solution. You just replaced a failing motor or pump and your pressure jumped up from 10 to 20. Or your pressure crept up from 10 to 20 due to a dirty filter. You sprayed the debris off you filter cartridge like you did 50 times before but this time the pressure remained high. Or every time you turn the pump off, the back pressure is so high that it blows the cover off the skimmer or pushes the vacuum hose out of the suction port. This guide discusses these scenarios and possible solutions to correcting them.
Pool pressure too high Posted: 9/20/2020
hayward filter cartridge was replaced, since then the pressure gauge remains at 33 when the pump is on. The only way to reduce it is to backwash for several minutes but within 5-10 minutes after turning on the pump the pressure goes up again to 33. With the old filter, the pressure was maintained at 20 and never had any problem. Not sure what else to do since this problem started with the new filter which was inserted on 08/2020Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 10/19/2020
What is the model number of your filter? Cartridge filters do not have a multiport valve, nor do they have a backwash function.Reply
Don Kelly Posted: 8/22/2020
Would a worn or leaking spider gasket in the sand filter head cause high pressure? I changed the sand less than a year ago and I'm running about 20 lbs pressure after a backwash.Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 8/24/2020
We're missing a couple of key facts: What is the standard "clean" psi when the new sand was put in, and at what PSI do you let it get to before you backwash? I don't believe a bad spider gasket could cause an issue with the pressure gauge. Are you sure the pressure gauge is working correctly? We also have this guide on lowering your pressure, give it a read:Reply
Paulina Wdowiak Posted: 6/1/2020
hi. I have a sand filter. Last year, before closing it work great. This year, we just opened the pool it reads 30psi. I backwashed and it didnt help. I changed the sand. Still 30psi. Any ideas?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 10/23/2020
Did you check anything else on the system as we mentioned in the guide? Did you check for blockages in the pipe?Reply
Anonymous Posted: 4/16/2020
The cap on my pump keeps shooting off when I turn my pump on, even when I screw it back on tightly. What could be causing this?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 4/17/2020
Is there a blockage in the return line or is the filter really dirty? The threads could be stripped, or there is a hairline crack that opens up when the pump builds up pressure.Reply
AMC Posted: 4/4/2020
When I backwash the psi drop down to 20psi but with in an hour it is back up to 30psi. It seems to stay there but I don’t like it that high. I have just replaced the DE filter, the backwash device was replaced last year. Strangely after the backwash device was replaced, I seem to get air in the motor filter and the only why to fill with no air was to backwash. It would fill with no air the run fine. Pool service crew told me it was fine. The pool struggled to stay clear so this year I replaced the DE filter but things are not going well. If you can share an advise that be awesome.Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 4/7/2020
If your pool is not clear, either from debris or algae, then that would explain the spike in pressure soon after backwashing. You may be overdosing the grids with too much DE: How Much DE to Add?Reply
Tim Llorens Posted: 3/22/2020
Will cracked cartridges cause high psiReply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 3/23/2020
I guess it would depend on how bad they are cracked. Are they cracked enough to hinder flow rate through a portion of the pleats? If so, then yes, it would cause high flow rate. But Chances are if a cartridge is causing issues, either it is dirty and needs cleaning or replacing, or it is too small.Reply
Flavio Posted: 12/4/2019
I have a question: To backwash my filter what must to do with the water pipes, do I need to close any valves or they must be remain opened as in the filter position? ThanksReply
InyoPools Product Specialist Robert M. Posted: 12/4/2019
Hello Flavio - You shouldn't have to change any other valves besides the filter valve. The valve will reverse the flow of water through the tank and flush it out of the waste line.Reply
Amran Anas Posted: 11/17/2019
Hi there. I got my cartridge filter. But after 2 hours i turn on pump my psi went really high. And i have to wash the filter everyday. My filter just 2 months oldReply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 11/19/2019
Have you completed any of the troubleshooting mentioned in this guide? If not, then I would begin with that.Reply
Weston Posted: 8/6/2019
I have indoor inground pool with a sand filter. Last week the filter was at 30 psi. Backwashed it and went back to normal OP 10 psi. Now pressure is back to 30 psiReply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 8/7/2019
Try backwashing it again; if the filter's pressure rises quickly again, you may try a filter cleaning cycle. If your filter sand is more than a few years old, then it may be time to replace the sand.Reply
Brandon Posted: 7/29/2019
Hello, I noticed my pressure gauge reading 50-60 PSI. The needle does not drop significantly when the pump is turned off. There are cracks in the valve casing with water leaking out. PSI does not change after backwashing and I do not have cloudy water problems. Pump is pentair superflow 1.5 hp. Filter is Hayward S244T. PVC is 1 1/2 inch. Return orifices are 1, 1 inch hole, and 3, 1/2 inch holes. Could my high pressure be due to the three 1/2 inch return orifices? Or an air leak? I am planning on purchasing and replacing the entire valve casing because it is leaking, but I need to fix it high pressure problem too. Thank youReply
Bobby Posted: 8/29/2019
Brandon, I'm having the exact problem. What exactly was the cause of the issue in your situation? I'd really appreciate any feedback. ThanksReply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 7/29/2019
Have you considered that the pressure gauge might be broken? It is a pretty cheap fix, I would try a new pressure gauge.Reply
John Posted: 6/18/2019
We just moved into a house where the Hayward catridge pool filter pressure was 28psi. I cleaned the filter and it went down to 20psi. When I took the catridge out to clean it the filter had no air relief tube in it. Would this cause the pressure to be high?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 6/20/2019
Going by your description, it sounds like the pressure was high because the cartridge was dirty. The pressure going down after cleaning the cartridge, seems like a normal thing.Reply
David Mailley Posted: 6/17/2019
How would I track down a suction leak. My issue sounds exactly like this could be happeningReply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 6/19/2019
How to Identify and Correct Air LeaksReply
Scott H Posted: 6/17/2019
Would an old Jandy DEL 60 filter cartridge cause pressure to rise? I’m backwashing 3-4 times a day and noticing the water is slowly becoming cloudy and doesn’t seem to be filtering properly. We just replaced the pump. I’m embarrassed to say the DE grid is the original (around 13 years old). I’m about to order a complete replacement as a DIY project, but want to see if there are other possible causes.Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 7/10/2019
Is it cloudy because you used an algaecide, and you need to backwash to clear excess algae waste? Or is this cloudiness caused by particulates in the pool, that are clogging the pool? Before replacing the grids, you can try giving them a chemical soak. That may refresh them enough to prevent excess backwashing.Reply
Scrogg Posted: 6/11/2019
My pressure guage has a crack on the face where you would read the pressure. Would this cause high pressure?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 6/14/2019
It would not.Reply
David Schwartz Posted: 6/4/2019
we are getting very low water pressure. I just noticed that the air relief tube has a hole in it. would this cause this problem? what exactly does the air relief tube do? Thanks!!Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 6/6/2019
It releases air that is trapped in the tank of the filter.Reply
Bobbie Posted: 6/1/2019
Hi, my psi when shut off is around 35-40. When i turn it on its 50. After 4 hrs of runnings its over 60 and the water from the return is slow. I back wash and it goes back to 35-40. The water is cloudyReply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 6/6/2019
Our obvious first question for you would be, did you follow each written step in this guide and exhaust the possibilities that they could be the cause?Reply
Keith Posted: 5/19/2019
What does broken de grides cause im having fast pressure 10 to 20 in secondsReply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 5/20/2019
Broken grids dump DE in your pool. With the lost of DE, the pressure in the filter likely drops because there is less resistance to the water moving through the grids.Reply
Keith R Corbett Posted: 5/20/2019
Then why is it i can take filters out and it runs fineReply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 5/20/2019
By running fine, you mean it stays at a low PSI, that is because nothing is restricting the flow. Have you considered just replacing the broken grids? Besides the fact they are broken, if the problem goes away when you take the grids out of the equation, it sounds like you found the issue.Reply
Keith R Corbett Posted: 5/20/2019
Like to but brokeReply
Tammey Posted: 5/16/2019
We have a 16x 32 inground salt pool with a Hayward s220tc sand filter. Hayward pump sp3202vsp pump going into our 3 year. The pressure on the tank goes up to 30 psi right away when we run the pump. Running it on recirc, it read 7. Opened up filter and sand looks perfect, no lumps or clumping together. What else is causing the high pressure. Checked for air leaks and can’t find any nor do we see air bubbles after shutting the pump down.Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Robert M. Posted: 5/16/2019
Hello Tammey - It seems like there is an issue with the sand. The sand could be packed with oils and organic materials that don't flush out when doing a normal backwash. We'd recommend a product called Sand Aid. It breaks down that stuff and allows the water to flow through more easily.Reply