If you have a swimming pool on your property, it's important to keep an eye out for signs that it might be in need of repair. Here are two such signs.

The pool water is still dirty after cleaning out the filter

Immediately after you clean your pool's filter, the water should be crystal clear and perfectly clean. If you notice that there seems to be quite a bit of dirt and other visible contaminants in it after performing this task, it could mean that there is something amiss with the pool pump.

The pump is designed to pull water out of the pool into the filtration system, and then push it back into the pool after it has been filtered. As such, if the pump develops a fault, the water will remain dirty, even after the filter has been cleaned.

There are a number of things that can cause a pump to stop working. However, in most cases, the cause of the problem is a hole in one of the suction valves or pipes; this can allow air to seep out and prevent the pump from being able to suck water into the filtration system.

If your pool develops this issue, you should contact a pool contractor. They will inspect the pool pump and, if necessary, replace the defective pipe or valve.

The pressure levels are extremely high

If the pressure gauge in your swimming pool indicates that the pressure levels are constantly high, this could mean that there is a problem that needs to be addressed.

Sometimes, this issue is the result of the filter developing a blockage because too many large pieces of debris have fallen into the pool water (such as leaves and twigs, for example). In this situation, all you need to do is thoroughly rinse out the filter cartridge to remove the debris that is causing the blockage.

If after doing this, the pressure levels are still high, you may need to have a pool contractor check the filtration system, as one of the filter's valves may have developed a defect.

It is important not to postpone the repair of this component, as chronically high-pressure levels can wreak havoc on your swimming pool. Over time, they can cause the extension bars at the base of the filter (known as 'laterals') to weaken and snap off. If this should happen, the filter will stop working and the pool water will end up filled with contaminants that will make it unsafe to swim in.