It looks that my filter has some air in it, how can I take it out?
In a properly plumbed pump/filter system, while the pump is running air can be introduced only through the suction side of the hydraulic system. (Water can cavitate within the pump, but this is not air, rather water vapor in bubbles. Once the pressure is reduced downstream of the pump turbine, cavitation will cease and the bubbles will return to liquid water. Nevertheless, pump cavitation is a serious problem that also needs to be avoided.) In other words, air gets in upstream of the pump. Downstream the water pressure would be to great to allow ambient air to enter the system -- rather water would leak out.
On the upstream side of the pump there are several places to look for air suction:
1. Most common, water level too low in pool, and air enters through skimmers. Most pool owners discover this on their own and correct the problem.
2. Less common, suction-side fitting or seal is not properly sealed. This could be at the pump basket housing seal, the pump drain seals, an upsteam valve, etc. If you have antifreeze ports, look closely at these fittings. Be sure to replace seals often. Teflon tape should be replaced every season. In many cases the only way to find a bad suction seal is by seeing air in the pump basket. In a properly sealed system you should not see any air in the pump basket after just a few minutes of starting the pump. If you see a pocket of air continue in the basket after a few minutes, you likely have an air source upstream of the pump. The effects of a leaking seal will be amplified if the skimmer line is blocked with debris either at the skimmer or in the lines. The pump continues to work hard to suck water into the system. If it can't get water, a leaking seal will be the source of vacuum release via the entrance of air through the bad seal.
3. Less common yet, a broken skimmer line from the skimmers to the pump, potentially underground. Obviously, this is in the most costly to repair.
Here's an example of what one might find. A pool owner has forgotten to replace the Teflon tape on his antifreeze ports for many years. Since these ports are opened and closed both at the beginning and end of each season, the tape has worn out and is no longer sealing the ports. He sees a large bubble of air collecting in the pump basket, and a stream of air bubbles in the return water stream going back into the pool. His fix? Remove the antifreeze port plugs, remove the old Teflon tape, replace with new Teflon tape, then replace the plugs.
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