Your Pool Pump Is Pulsing Or Unusually Loud And The Pressure Is Low
If water is surging or pulsing in your pump, this may be a sign of a clogged pipe. But first, you have to rule out other potential problems, like air leaks. Check the o-ring on your pump lid. Then check to see if the impeller inside your pump is clogged. Be sure the pump is off when you check this. And if you need help troubleshooting your pump, be sure to check our other videos. It may also be time to backwash or clean your filter if you havent done that in a while. If you have just cleaned your filter, that may have caused an air pocket to form. Remove the pump lid and basket and stick a hose inside to fill up the line with water.
How Do I Unclog A Clogged Swimming Pool Vacuum
I have a swimming pool which I was vacuuming the other day. Unfortunately, I accidentally vacuumed some larger items which caused the whole mechanism to clog, i.e., I can no longer vacuum.
What is the proper way to solve this problem?
We have checked the filters, and they’re clean. We suppose that something’s actually stuck in the pipes.
You’ll need an auger to clear the clog in the pipes:
Loosen the clamp at the metal end and begin inserting the snake into the pipe until you hit the blockage .
Tighten the clamp and turn the plastic handle to spin the snake. That will help penetrate the blockage .
Extract the snake, clean the end off removing the gunk it collects, and repeat until you stop getting more gunk and the water flows through the pipes again.
What Are The Symptoms Of A Blocked Pool Skimmer Line
If your pool has more than one skimmer, and you are suspecting there could be a blockage in one of the lines, then just remove the plastic cover that covers them and look to see if the water is flowing into the skimmer basket. Remember the pump must be running.If you see no water flowing into the basket then that one is the blocked skimmer.
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Pool Skimmers : How To Clean And Troubleshooting Tips
There are two types of pool skimmers. One is the net you attach to a telescopic pole used to get leaves and debris out of your pool. The other is attached to the side of your pool and acts as the entryway to your pump and filter.
In this article, were talking about the latter. How they work, how to keep them clean and running properly, and how to troubleshoot them when things go wrong. Lets dive in!
Tips For Unclogging Pool Drains
- Written by Daphne Mallory on Jan 27, 2010To ensure our content is always up-to-date with current information, best practices, and professional advice, articles are routinely reviewed by industry experts with years of hands-on experience.Reviewed by
- 5-20
Pool drains get clogged from time to time, even if you properly care for and maintain your pool. It’s part of pool ownership, and you have to maintain the drains to avoid bigger problems down the road. When they do get clogged, you have to unclog them. This isn’t hard to do, but it is a chore and you should be aware of your options. Here are 6 tips for unclogging pool drains:
1. Beware of Chemical Cleansers
There are major benefits to using cleansers. Chemical cleaners can get the job done for you without the need to manually unclog the pool drains. However, there’s a risk to using them on the wrong material. The use of acidic cleaners can destroy your pool drains. It’s better to try to unclog them without chemical cleansers or to use one that’s more gentle than to risk damaging the pool. There are also the health risks to you from the use of harsh chemicals, and therefore, try to use other alternatives first.
2. Plungers
There are plungers that you can use for unclogging pool drains. However, it’s not as simple as the toilet plungers you’re used to. If you’re not skilled at it, you could cause your pool to flood. Find someone who knows how to do this and ask for help or get advice before attempting to try it on your own.
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Swimming Pool Malfunctions Don’t Always Require An Expensive Service Call Here Are Some Pool Repairs You Can Safely Tackle Yourself
It was the summer of the staycation. In May 2020, for in-ground and above ground pools spiked as families realized they werent going anywhere for the summer and sought to make the most of their backyards. Across the U.S., pool manufacturers and vendors reported record sales;and exhausted inventories of residential swimming pools.
Jon Foshee, president of Concord Pools & Spas, a Latham Pool dealer, expects further growth with consumers moving out of big cities to more suburban areas. They have land and room for a pool in their yard, so demand is going to continue to rise, he says.
Among all those new pools and a whole lot of older ones, maintenance issues are bound to happen. And while some pool break-downs and malfunctions require professional intervention, you can save a bundle by doing some repairs yourself.
Heres a look at some common swimming pool problems with DIY solutions. Note that were limiting this discussion to leaks, tears and clogs, rather than mechanical issues or chemical imbalances that affect water quality.
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For tears to covers made of canvas, mesh or textured vinyl, try a self-adhesive patch made specifically for pool covers.
For INTEX brand or similar inflatable pools, INTEX Wet Set repair patch, despite its name, has to be used on dry vinyl. That means youll need to drain your pool to repair a patch below the waterline.
What To Do If Your Drain Is Clogged
Before you call in the professionals, you can try a few techniques yourself, but there are a few things that you have to know so that you dont accidentally aggravate the problem. To unclog any part of your swimming pools drainage system, you will need to turn your pump off first.;
To force out a blockage from the suction line, you can approach this issue from the side of your skimmer. The first step is to remove your strainer basket and clear any dirt and debris from the area. Then, you have the option of turning to handy tools such as a hydro flush or a clog buster/water bladder. You can attach these to your garden hose, as you are going to utilize the household water pressure for unclogging the blockage by inserting the water bladder into the skimmer. While this method can push out the debris that caused the blockage on the other end. If the blockage is stubborn, it can get also deeper, which means it will be even harder to get out.;
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A Place For Adding Chlorine Tablets
You could spend a little money and buy a floating chlorine dispenser. Or you could just add a few chlorine tablets directly to your skimmer basket.
The advantage here is that because water is pulled through the skimmer, it will run over the tablets, dissolving them more quickly than if they were just floating around the pool. This means a higher concentration of chlorine in your water, which translates to cleaner, more sanitary water.
NOTE: Just make sure you remove the partially dissolved tablets from the pool skimmer when your pump isnt running to keep the highly chlorinated water from sitting in one place, possibly damaging equipment.
Better yet, invest in an automatic chlorinator. A chlorinator is the most efficient and safest way to add chlorine to your pool.
The Skimmer In Winter
Whether youre closing an inground pool or winterizing an above ground pool, you wont want to skip the skimmer prep, or you could open your pool to a bit of a mess next season.
For an inground pool, once youve blown out the lines, youll need to insert a rubber plug or an ice compensator like a Gizzmo into your skimmer to keep it closed and prevent anything from sneaking into your filtration system over the winter.
Same goes for an above ground pool, but in that case, depending on the type of skimmer you have, you may be able to just install a cover over it.
Either way, make sure you take care of your skimmer so it can keep taking care of your pool when you open it back up.
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Blow Out The Pressure Side:
Now that the air from the skimmer has blown through the pump, filter and heater we can now send it back to the pool through the return lines.
The return lines closest to the pump will begin to blow first. After 2-3 minutes of blowing, plug the wall return that is bubbling the most, then plug the other return lines. Make a tight, positive seal with your pool plugs, turning the wingnut until no air bubbles appear.
If you have other pressure side lines, like an automatic cleaner line or a spa return line, blow each of these out separately. If there is a spa blower on an attached spa, turn on the spa blower while you are blowing and plugging the spa jets. Blower lines often have a 2-way valve on the vertical PVC pipe. Close this valve while the blower is running, and then quickly shut off the blower.
Pool Unclogging Calls For A Celebratory Dip
Wasnt that easier than you thought it would be? Now that youve cleaned out or flushed out your clogging, your pool is as good as new. While you want to be sure to check your chemical balance, your bank balance is just fine. Get that pump running for eight hours, and then jump right in. Job well done, and nowyoure done, too. Enjoy it.
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What Do Pool Skimmers Do
Pool skimmers are the starting point of pool circulation;and act as a gateway to your pools filtration system.
Your pool pump sucks water into the skimmers. As the water passes through the skimmer basket, its cleared of larger debris that would cause a blockage if it made it all the way to your pump or filter.
It also allows the filter to do its job of pulling the smaller contaminants out so the water that makes its way back into your pool through the returns is cleaner.
The skimmer also helps keep your pump and filter in tip-top shape by ensuring the water that passes through them is clear of things that could cause major problems for that expensive equipment.
How To Confirm A Blockage
Pool skimmers have suction lines and return lines. According to Mr. Pool Man, return lines only receive clean, filtered water and not debris. If there is a blockage, it would have collected in the suction lines. There are several indicators of a blockage in the skimmers suction lines: the pump pulses and surges, the water intake is slow or the pump is loud with low pressure.
If you notice the pool pump pulsing and surging, there are several things that may cause this and not necessarily a clogged pool line. However, if you have ruled out air leaks, low water and problems with the filter, it may be because of a clogged pool line.
Slow water intake can also indicate a clogged suction line in the skimmer. However, before you proceed, you should first confirm that the water level is normal and that the skimmer basket is clear.
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Pool Troubleshooting: Bottom Drain Clogged
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One of the best parts of having a pool is the instant refreshment you can enjoy. However, having a pool is no picnic. They require regular maintenance and care, and its critical that tasks like keeping drains unclogged are always performed. Unfortunately, your summer plans can go from relaxing to an utter nightmare if youre unable to keep the pool drain clear.
How Can The Drain Get Clogged
As the main drain is sucking the water, it is inevitable that some debris ends up in your drain and pipe system. If you dont skim the debris from the top of the water regularly, it can eventually sink to the bottom and make your life more difficult. For instance, hair, leaves, sticks and other debris coming from trees, or simply pollen and other particles are all common enemies of the pool drain. If you notice that your drain is not working properly, it is likely the case that it is clogged.;
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What Are Pool Skimmers
Pool skimmers are like little buckets built into the side of the pool. They hold skimmer baskets, which perform a similar function to the handheld leaf skimmer, keeping leaves and debris from entering your pump and filter.
These are usually rectangular-shaped and are placed around the pool, toward the tops of the walls. The water level usually covers about the bottom half of the skimmers.
Theyre most often made of white plastic, and some have a door called a weir over the front that opens and closes according to the water level and movement.
How To Remove A Pool Drain Cover
Is your pool drain clogged? If the main drain is not working in your inground pool, you may need to have it cleaned.
To have your pool professionally cleaned , youll need to remove the pool drain cover. However, if there are people in the pool, never remove the drain cover. Believe it or not, removing the cover can cause significant suction that can cause swimmers to drown.
After all swimmers have vacated the pool, youll need to turn off the pool filtration pump . Youll either need a screwdriver of some sort to remove any screws holding the drain in place, or if there are no screws, you can just twist the cap off the drain. From there, pop the cap off the drain.
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Be Clear On How To Track Blockage Before Calling In A Pool
Question: My pool-pump pressure is down, and the valves are hard to turn. Leaves, twigs and other debris are stuck in my pipes. Now what?
Answer: We can’t be sure where the blockage is, so we will explain how to isolate it and what you can do before calling a pool-service professional. Although it is possible for the valves to become clogged, most often the blockage is in the pipes or the pool-pump impeller.
To isolate the line that is blocked, run the pool pump and shut off the valves to run the water through each of the lines feeding into the main intake pipe and into the pool pump. Cycle through the main drain, skimmer line, etc., to determine which line may have an obstruction. Look carefully at the filter pressure gauge to determine which valve setting produces any drop in pressure.
If there are no changes in the pressure, the obstruction may be at the intake itself or in the pump impeller rather than in a line.
If you have to work on the pump, first shut off the breakers and the timer to the pool equipment.
“If you have a clear lid, look down into the pump to see whether the water is just swirling around but does not move through and then is not pulled down. This could indicate a possible obstruction in the pump’s impeller,” says Jeff Pursifull, owner of Lakeland Pool Service in Lakeland.
Low pressure also could point to the same problem, Pursifull says.
How To Unblock A Pool Skimmer Line A Complete Guide
A Pool Skimmer is one of the most important components of a pools circulatory system that keeps the pool water clean. A pool skimmers function is to remove the floating debris from the water surface and trap the debris in a storage basket before it reaches the pool pump.
Unfortunately, that debris can sometimes block the skimmer and line to the pump. This guide will explain how to unblock your pool skimmer line.
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Your Water Intake Into Your Pump Is Slow Even If The Skimmer Basket Is Empty
If water is slowly coming into your pool pump, check the skimmer door to make sure it isnt stuck. Also, make sure your pools water level is halfway up the skimmer. If the skimmer door and water level look good, you may have a clog in your skimmer line.
To find out which pipe is blocked, run your pool pump and check each line one at a time. You can do this by using your pool diverter valve, aka a Jandy Valve. Switch the valve between the skimmers and the main drain lines.
If one line has low pressure or your pump loses suction, that means its clogged with an air pocket or debris. As you test these lines, be sure to always leave one line open. You never want to run your pump with all of the intake valves closed and no water flowing.
