How to Hook Up a Swimming Pool Pump

In order for you to have a pool that you and your family look forward to being in, the filtering system must be functional to remove accumulated debris. Regular maintenance and chemical additions are the other factors involved in a clean pool, but at the root of it all is the pump. Working at least eight hours a day during the pool season, it pushes water through the filter media and starts the filtering process. To ensure proper working order, however, the pump needs correct installation.

Things You'll Need

• 2 Gate valves
• Teflon tape
• Hoses
• Hose adaptors and clamps
• Screwdriver
• GFCI outlet

Instructions

1. Fasten the pump to the pump base provided with your filter system. Place the pump where it can get an ample supply of fresh air and still be serviceable. Elevate both it and the filter on a sturdy platform of patio blocks or the material of your choice. Ensure that it cannot be flooded and that it is vibration free.

2. Use gate or ball valves on both the suction and output sides of the pump, which gives the ability to stop the water flow for servicing or when desired.

3. Connect all plastic fittings by first wrapping the threads of the male end with two turns of Teflon tape to ensure a watertight seal once the fittings are hand-tightened. Both ports get threaded hose adapters, which are included as system parts.

4. Place the connecting hose onto the suction side's hose adapter and use a hose clamp to secure it in place. Secure the other end to the built-in hose adapter at the base of your skimmer. Remember to place the hose clamp loosely on the hose before making the connection and then, with the hose in place, tighten the hose clamp securing the hose into final position.

5. Attach the reinforced hose to the output's hose adapter and to the input adapter of the filter canister, which may have the word pump embossed in the plastic. Secure both ends with hose clamps.

6. Install a GFCI outlet to supply power to the pump. This will prevent electrocution by shutting off the power instantly if a person touches a hot lead and disrupts the flow of electricity.