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Questions and answers about sports

Are pool filters supposed to leak?

4 min read

Asked by: Ashley Wilkins

One of the easiest pool filter problems to spot is a leak. You may hear the dripping water or notice a puddle around the body of the filter. A filter leak isn’t likely to cause a significant drop in your pool’s water level, but you should try to find the source of the leak as soon as you notice it.

Is it normal for pool filters to leak?

A steady or high-pressure stream of water will likely indicate a bad gasket or o-ring. If the leak is coming from either of the pipes that lead into or out of the filter, the union seal or o-ring can be changed relatively easily.

How do I stop my pool filter from leaking?


And smack that Bank clamp all the way around and then tighten it again I mean again it's important to not tighten it too much or you're gonna crack something.

Why is my pool filter pump leaking?

This can be a sign that the inner motor bearings are trying to work in the water. As long as the motor doesn’t have water damage, all you need to do is replace the shaft seal. If the motor has water damage, you will need to replace both the motor and the shaft seal. Leaking pool pumps can be a real hassle!

Is it normal for a pool pump to drip water?

If it is on the suction side, or where the water comes into the pump, it is an air leak. Air is being drawn into the closed system when operating. The discharge side is under pressure. If it is on the discharge side, or where the water is pushed out, it is a water leak, probably a drip to start.

How tight should pool filter clamp be?

So usually you would want to tap it a couple times around the entire circumference. And then hand tighten it again being careful to not go too tight because you're dealing with plastic flange.

How long should pool filters last?

Pool Filter Life



Pool filter cartridges can run for about 2,000 hours in a filter pump and should be replaced every 1-2 years. Note that the filter cartridge will not last as long due to sunscreen, deodorants, hair care products, and other chemicals that come into contact with your pool water.

How long does a pool filter O-ring last?

Each time a backwash happens, or a filter needs to be replaced, pump needs to over run its cycle, all of these will eventually wear out an O-ring. Now for general purposes, an o-ring is supposed to last around 7 years, but with everything listed above you can see how that is quite often not the case.

Why is my Intex pool filter leaking from the top?

An Intex sand filer pump’s pre-filter cover may sometimes experience a leak. In most cases, this is due to the O-ring inside the filter pump being jammed in place too tightly. Applying a thin layer of petroleum jelly over the O-ring helps it move more easily and prevents water from backing up inside.

How do you know when pool filter is bad?

There are ways to tell if the swimming pool filter is bad. If the water turns cloudy, then you know that your filter is not functioning properly. Leaking multi-port valves, broken or bad laterals, valve failure, tank failure, and pressure issues are some of the other indicators that the pool filter is bad.

How often should you change a pool filter?

You should change your pool filter whenever it loses its quality, has passed its expected lifespan or shows signs of damage. Often, symptoms will start to appear every five years, but the timescale can be anywhere between yearly and every 15 years.

How much does it cost to replace a pool filter?

The national average materials cost to replace a pool filter is $285.53 per filter, with a range between $256.17 to $314.89. The total price for labor and materials per filter is $1,915.89, coming in between $1,770.39 to $2,061.40.