Which Way Should Pool Jets Face? (Find Out Now!)

Ossiana Tepfenhart
by Ossiana Tepfenhart

When I first felt a pool jet on my feet, I remember feeling it like was the best thing ever. As I started to learn about pools, I realized that jets aren’t always just there to feel nice. They also can carry certain roles in pool cleanliness as well as water refreshing. I was surprised, though, to hear that pool jets need to face a certain way. But, which way are your pool jets supposed to face?

Though you can have jets that are meant strictly for spa reasons, most jets should point in a way that helps water circulate. This usually means pointing them downwards towards the pool’s floor, or towards the skimmer. It doesn’t have to be fully angled down, but it should have a downward slant.

Understanding how a pool jet system should work can help ensure that you get the best swimming experience possible. A quick read-through will help you understand the basics.

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What Do Pool Jets Do?

Pool jets are added to a pool to help increase the circulation of water and ensure that the flow of water remains stable throughout the pool. If water doesn’t get proper circulation, it becomes stagnant. Stagnant water may be alright in a bathtub, but in a pool, it becomes a major health hazard.

Proper circulation does a lot for your pool’s safety. When water remains stagnant for a long period of time, it becomes prone to algae growth and bacterial buildup. Since stagnant water doesn’t circulate, that leaves large swaths of the pool unable to get pushed into the skimmer for filtration. Pool jets, therefore, act as stirrers for your pool.

How Should Pool Jets Be Positioned?

Whether it’s one jet or 50 jets that line your pool, their positioning all should have the same goal in mind. Your jets’ goal is to help circulate the water as much as possible. This means that you should try to position your pool jets as follows:

  • You should try to position the jets pointing towards the floor or the skimmer, but angled slightly left or right. Most people will use a 7 o’clock or 4 o’clock angle.
  • Ideally, they will all point in the same direction. This will give your pool a gentle circulation that will bring all the water from one end of the pool to the next.
  • When in doubt, try to position them where the jets will get the most coverage. In other words, try to make sure that the jets can reach as much water as possible without anything impeding their path.

Should Pool Jets Always Stay In The Same Direction?

For the most part, it’s not a smart idea to keep your pool jets totally locked in a stationary manner. Most pool jet systems today have adjustable jet nozzles. This is because it’s often good to switch up the direction of the jets. It can help promote a more even flow of water and can also prevent zones being inadvertently left out of the circulation pattern.

Where Are “Dead Areas” In A Pool?

One of the things that pool designers try to avoid when making a pool jet layout work. These are zones that, for one reason or another, jets tend to miss. In a dead zone, water stagnation is normal, even when the jets are on. They can happen in any pool. They most commonly happen around these areas below:

  • Behind Your Ladder. Ladders act as items that block the regular flow of water. So, clearing this area is a good move.
  • Near Your Skimmer. Shocked? So were we, but it makes sense. You can’t put pool jets directly near your skimmer. Your skimmer also is an area where suction doesn’t always go as planned since it’s not a solid portion of your pool.
  • Near Steps. If you have a pool that has lots of stairs or a tanning ledge, then this could prove to be pretty problematic. Carefully-placed jets and regular cleanings can help.
  • Near Smaller Crevices. If your pool has a major pillar in the middle or has other little nooks and crannies, beware. They can easily become dead zones if you’re not careful.

What Should You Do With Dead Zones In Your Pool?

Dead zones are one of those things that tend to be avoided at best. However, that’s not always possible. You may need to just remain aware of them. When cleaning your pool, make sure to stir up the water near dead zones and pay extra attention to debris removal in these areas. With a little bit of care, you’ll never guess that your jets don’t stir them up.

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Related Questions

Should bubbles be coming out of my pool jets?

Though the bubbles might look cute, you really shouldn’t be able to see bubbles coming out of your pool jets. This suggests that your pool pump isn’t pushing water. Rather, it’s forcing air through the system. This may indicate a serious problem with your pump or water levels, such as a leak or a lack of water. Fix this immediately!


What direction should a pool face?

If you are a believer in the world of feng shui, then a pool should always face your home. Having running water that heads in the direction of your home is said to bring good energy to your home. With good energy comes luck. However, if you are not looking for a way to feng shui your home, the direction of your pool will have minimal impact on the well-being of your home.


How high can pool jet pressure be?

The highest that your pool jets’ pressure should be is around 10 psi above the pressure reading of your pool pump. This means that having a 20 psi jet is the maximum your jets should exert if you have a pool pump that reads at 10 psi. If you have a pump that pushes out 23 psi, then the highest your jets should be is around 33 psi. With that said, most pool jets will be around 20 to 24 psi on average.

Ossiana Tepfenhart
Ossiana Tepfenhart

Ossiana Tepfenhart is an expert writer, focusing on interior design and general home tips. Writing is her life, and it's what she does best. Her interests include art and real estate investments.

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