Had a gunite pool installed, middle of June 2010. I'm running salt with DE filter. I was told by the installer that I had to run the pool pump 24/7 for the fist year but I've had other guys I know who have pools say that's nonsense. The installer says it has something to do with the plaster curing. But for one year? The installer also said to backwash weekly. My friends say I can go by the pressure gauge that it may need it in one week (not likely) or two to three before the pressure is high enough. I even have on friend who recently had his gunite pool re-surfaced and nothing was mentioned about having to run it constant for one year. He runs his about 10 hours a day.
So, I'm looking for opinions on do you think I need to run the pool pump so much?

Thanks.

I have been servicing pools for 23 years, and have never heard of having to run any pool 24/7 other than commercial pools. Average summertime run is 8 hours per day, and less in the winter. The only difference with the salt pool would be how many hours of run time it takes to keep up with your chlorine demand. A heavily used pool would require more hours because the chlorine generator only produces chlorine when the pump is running. Or you can leave it at 8 hours per day and add a little extra chlorine yourself if the system is not keeping up with the demand. The estimate on backwashing about every 3 months is right on the average time for most
DE filters. The best method is to watch the pressure gauge and let it tell you when to backwash. Once per year you need to completely tear down, clean, and recharge the DE filter. Right after the annual cleaning make note of what your filter pressure is and go from that number for backwashing. I suspect your installer must own stock in the local power company if he wants you to run it 24/7 for a year.

Ha! What I suspect is the installer tells EVERYONE the same thing (run pump 24/7 and backwash weekly) to avoid new pool owners from letting the pool get away from them. I can see some people probably need to over do it just to stay on top of things. I'm pretty responsible and knew what I was in for when we decided to get the pool. I'm diligent about checking the water balance and making sure everything is good. And I check the pressure everyday. I'm the same way with my lawn care.

Thanks for the reply and I feel a little better about turning the pump off for several hours a day.



I have been servicing pools for 23 years, and have never heard of having to run any pool 24/7 other than commercial pools. Average summertime run is 8 hours per day, and less in the winter. The only difference with the salt pool would be how many hours of run time it takes to keep up with your chlorine demand. A heavily used pool would require more hours because the chlorine generator only produces chlorine when the pump is running. Or you can leave it at 8 hours per day and add a little extra chlorine yourself if the system is not keeping up with the demand. The estimate on backwashing about every 3 months is right on the average time for most
DE filters. The best method is to watch the pressure gauge and let it tell you when to backwash. Once per year you need to completely tear down, clean, and recharge the DE filter. Right after the annual cleaning make note of what your filter pressure is and go from that number for backwashing. I suspect your installer must own stock in the local power company if he wants you to run it 24/7 for a year.

Sounds like you do it right. Water balance is everything when it comes to maintaining your pool. Once it gets away from you it can be an expensive bear to get back in shape. Just remember it takes three things to keep a pool looking good. Circulation, Chlorination, and Filtration. Subtract any one of those things and you will have a fight on your hands. I live and work in a very hot climate and 8 hours per day run time does the job just fine in the summer, and about 4 hours in the winter. It sounds like you will do just fine with your pool.