How dangerous are pool filters?

Because pool drains use suction to filter things out of the water, they put people at risk for entrapment. If a small, light person gets too close to a pool drain, they can become trapped underwater, which can lead to a host of injuries including accidental drowning.

Has a pool drain ever killed anyone?

Since 1990, 170 people, mostly children, have been caught in drains and 27 of them have died.

Can a pool drain disembowel you?

Pool suction drain injury, also known as suction entrapment, occurs when the drain of a wading pool or swimming pool suck in a swimmer’s jewelry, torso, limbs, hair or buttocks. Evisceration, also known as disembowelment, could happen in case of buttock entrapment.

Why would a pool filter explode?

A filter tank can trap or accumulate air. The pump discharge compresses any entrapped air and pressurizes the filter. This creates a risk of explosion or “sudden separation” of filter parts. Filter manufacturers have known about the explosion risk since at least the early 1970’s.

Can pool pumps be dangerous?

The power of a pool pump is more than enough the cause sever and life threatening injury. The warning label that comes on new main drains, skimmers and pool pumps states that the pool pump has enough force to trap, drown and disembowel you should you unwittingly cover the suction point with any part of your body.

Why would a pool pump overheat?

A pool pump can overheat in two ways: because of an electrical problem or friction. While electrically related failures are by far the most common cause for pump overheating, as we will discuss at length, there is also the potential for a friction fire to develop if a pump is starved for water.

Can your hair get caught in a pool drain?

Everything from feet, hands and even hair can get caught in a drain and trap kids, and even adults, underwater. “There can be incredible suction created down by the drain as the water goes from the pool through the circulation system and then back into the pool,” Nord said.

Can a pool filter suck out your guts?

A teenager required life-saving surgery after his intestines were sucked out by a swimming pool filter. His injuries were so severe he required a four-hour operation to save his life. The local boy had been taking part in a swimming lesson last Friday at a private leisure centre in Carpesa, Valencia.

Where does pool water go when you drain it?

We’ve already seen that the water in a swimming pool needs to circulate through a filtering system, to remove dirt and debris. During normal operation, water flows to the filtering system through two or more main drains at the bottom of the pool and multiple skimmer drains around the top of the pool.

Can a pool pump cause electrocution?

But ungrounded pool pump motors pose the serious threat of electrocution. When a device or product is defective, improperly installed or maintained, or if a component of that device is worn or frayed, anyone who comes in contact with water charged with an electrical current is at risk of electric shock drowning.

How often should I Change my pool filter cartridges?

Keep on reading to find out how often you should clean, or if it’s time to replace the filter cartridge. How Long do Filter Cartridges Last? With normal usage, filter cartridges last up to 2000 operation hours. This means if you use your pool or spa regularly, you’ll have to replace the filter cartridge once every 1 or 2 years.

What is the average life of a pool filter?

Assuming you properly maintain your swimming pool, you should expect the below timescales on average: – Filter Cartridge – approximately 2,000 working hours, usually around 2-4 years. – Sand Filter Media – around 3-7 years – Glass Filter Media – about 7-15 years

Do I need to run my pool filter during the off-season?

Pump filter systems should still run during the off-season every so often to keep the chemicals in the water ticking over. Therefore, you need to monitor your filters during the off-season. As with your pool as a whole, investing in a cover and properly closing your pool will also help keep your filters working efficiently.

What are phosphates and why should you remove them from your pool?

Some pool pros and pool chemical sellers will tell you that only by removing phosphates from your pool can you fully and completely control algae growth. You see, phosphates are a nutrient source for algae. The more phosphates in the water, the more yummy food there is for algae to consume, and the faster the algae will grow.