Pool Pump Strainer Lid O-ring; The pump strainer lid is sealed by a single gasket; which once it loses pliability can provide a direct route to foul your prime. Normal signs of wear are cracking in the rubber, warping or stretching, and the obvious, missing bits
Check the rubber gasket for cracks pinching the gasket into a smaller loop. Cracks will look like striations across the length of the gasket.
Warped or stretched gaskets are evident when the o-ring sits in the groove o-ring, spilling over. The warping of an o-ring can lead to it being pinched creating a gap through which air can enter the plumbing.
If necessary, replace with new gasket, after cleaning the o-ring’s groove of gunk and leftover lube. Apply a new coat of lube, as well.
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InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 3/12/2021
So we know what the normal operating pressure is, but what is the pressure when the pump is operating after an hour or so? Another question, when you complete your maintenance on the pool, cleaning cartridges and the like, is it in the evening after the day schedule has stopped? If that is the case, your filter is having pressure issues, but they aren't arising until the middle of the night because that's when the pump runs. You should let the filter run while you can keep an eye on it to see if you can spot what is causing these issues.Reply
Anonymous Posted: 9/7/2020
I have air bubbles coming from my returns . After checking a few things and finding nothing , I shut one of the intake valves, the bubbles quit. I assume this means I have a leak in that line??Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 9/8/2020
All the signs are pointing to that fact. I'd give that portion of plumbing a thorough once over to find the culprit.Reply
Anthony Posted: 9/4/2020
I'm at a loss as well. I have a new pool (2 years old) and Hayward 4820 and I just cleaned my grids and put recommended DE amount in and my filter pressure is sitting at 25psi. Flow rate is terrible on the pump side and the pump basket has about 1/3 at the top that I can't get rid of. I suspect an air leak somewhere on the suction side but I can't find it for the life of me.Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 9/8/2020
Have you tried setting your filter valve to recirculate or whirlpool so that the water bypasses your filter? This is just to see if the filter grids or one of the internal pieces is playing a part in the flow issues.Another thing to check is to set the filter to normal filter mode but try setting your diverter valves to only pull from the main drain or the skimmer to see if you can narrow it down that way.Reply
Tonya Posted: 9/2/2020
I have a salt water pool 48 sqft de filter. The psi on the de filter was going to about 35psi after we back washed within a couple hours. We then bought new grids and replaced the old ones cause they was a little wore and had some breakage. So now the new grids are in place and on start up it had good flow and psi was about 18, within maybe 5 hours or so it was at 30 and there is an are bubble in strainer basket on pump side, plus the jets in pool have a reduced flow. Also on our pool display panel it says no cell power, and no cell power 2. Just trying to find out why we have high psi and hardly any flow. Pool is clear now but it seems like the algae is trying to grow back I guess from the slow flow. We have a hayward system that is about 5 years old, salt water pool about 18,000 gallons ingroundReply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 9/3/2020
How much DE are you putting in the filter after backwashes? The fact that algae is starting to bloom can also add to the filter's pressure issues. If you have no chlorine in the pool, the grids will become clogged with algae and other organic material. When the filter gets clogged, the water becomes stagnant, which leads to water becoming even more of a feeding ground. And the cycle gets worse and worse.It sounds like you need to troubleshoot your salt system, which will then alleviate algae problems, which will eventually lead to fewer pressure issues.Reply
Carl Posted: 8/31/2020
I have a new variable speed pump, new DE filter. Water is clear but pressure on filter gauge never gets above 4psi. Been running a month now and started to get small bubbles and have to let air out of filter every couple days. Have run all the checks for air and leaks and have found none. Is all this normal?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 9/1/2020
At what RPMs are you running the pumping?Reply
Carl Posted: 9/1/2020
Running pump at 2600 both skimmer and main drains open, averaging 23 GPM.Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 9/3/2020
If you close the skimmer line, so you are only pulling from the main drain, does the pressure issue get better, worse, or stay the same?Does the pump lose prime every time it turns off? That is a sign air is getting in there somewhere. What is the model number of your pump and filter?Reply
Carl Posted: 9/3/2020
The pressure stays the same with both open or one or the other closed. The pump has no problem with re prime. Takes about a minute. I have bleed the filter every time I shut off the pump. The filter is a Hayward DE3620. The pump is a Harris 1 1/2 hp variable speed. All pipe is 1 1/2 with long sweep 90s. Pump and filter are approximately 2 feet above the returns in the pool.Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 9/9/2020
If you have personally checked every piece of plumbing (suction and pressure side), and are unable to find the air leak, then you should call a professional. Because either a specific element is being overlooked or there is something peculiar in your system. A pool's plumbing should be a closed system. The skimmers and main drain are underwater, as well as the returns. Air wouldn't be able to get in there. Pipes below ground can't pull enough air to cause your symptoms. The only culprit left is the exposed plumbing.Reply
Ray Posted: 8/5/2020
If you have a salt water pool, try turning off the chlorinator at the panel. Check if bubbles still come out of the return lines. When chlorine is generated, it makes bubbles. I turned mine off and the bubbles went away within 15 seconds. I spent a lot of time trying to figure out my "leak" until my friend told me about this quick check.Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 9/9/2020
The salt chlorinators I've seen in action usually doesn't create enough bubbles to cause much concern. But every little bit helps when trying to track down an air leak.Reply
Mike s Hogue Posted: 7/5/2020
No air in pump basket but air pocket and lower water than usual in my swag? Would the swag gasket do that? Air in return line also?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 9/24/2020
What is a swag gasket?Reply
Anonymous Posted: 5/5/2020
Hello I have bubbles coming out of only one jet. The either three jets are fine. What do I need to do?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 10/27/2020
What troubleshooting steps in the article have you done already?Reply
Gage G Posted: 4/6/2020
Hi there! I recently purchased a home with an older in ground pool, but new equipment. I noticed that the automatic pool cleaner wasn’t working through the slimmer. That quickly spiraled into noticing that when I close the main drain at the Jandy valve, limited to no water comes out of the skimmer line causing the pump to lose its prime. I’ve tried using a Drain King, large vacuum, and other tips but cannot seem to get the skimmer line to maintain pressure. I checked everything above ground and it doesn’t seem to have any leaks before the pump basket. I’m at a loss and would like some thoughts before I call uncle and have someone come out.Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 4/7/2020
The only thing I would think of beyond your long list of methods already tried is adjusting the water level of the pool. if the water is even slightly too low on the skimmer will start chugging air leading to air issues.Reply
Patrick Posted: 1/18/2020
Over the 8 hours when the pump is not running, air is getting into the lines above pool water level. By the time the pump turns back on the lines are empty. After the pump restarts and primes, water flows normally and air bubbles eventually cease. There are no signs of water leaks anywhere. Is it possible for valves to leak air on the discharge side of pump when pump is not running, but still hold water when under positive pressure?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 2/10/2020
If the pressure side of the system (all pipe and equipment after the pump), there would be water leakage from the compromised point. If you follow the instructions in the guide of the smoke, soap or foam method we list in step 7 in the guide, you should be able to find the issue on the suction side.Reply
Ptsintx Posted: 12/2/2019
I don’t see bubbles coming in to the pool but the pump basket has significant air in it. I’ve done several air leak checks on the suction side but found nothing. Help!Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Robert M. Posted: 12/4/2019
Do you have a variable speed or two-speed pump? It is common for those pumps to have air in the strainer when run on lower RPM's.Reply
Michael Posted: 11/10/2019
No bubbles in pump strainer yet bubbles coming from pool jetsReply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 11/11/2019
Our guide lists several things to check. I would start with those.Reply
New to pool Posted: 9/12/2019
I see bubbles at the startup of the pump only and quickly go away, the pressure used to be around 15 psi but now it stays at 30. If I backwash the system the pressure goes down to 10-20 but gradually increases again back to 30. I cleaned the filters already and run the pool filter for 8-10 hours for 5 days and the water is cloudy and I still have the same pressure problems.Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 9/12/2019
It sounds like you have completed one of the parts of troubleshooting mentioned in the guide. If you haven't already, I suggest following the other steps to find the air leak. This is not something that can be diagnosed purely by a brief description of the problem; you have to do the troubleshooting on-site.Reply
Erik Posted: 9/10/2019
my pool pump stopped working suddenly. when in "filter" it has no suction, however when in "backwash" it sucks nicely, on rinse suction is less, on bypass no suction.Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 9/12/2019
Going by that brief description, it sounds like you have a dirty or clogged filter. If the sand is a few years old, then you may have to change the sand if heavy backwashing doesn't fix the pressure issue.Reply
Carla Posted: 8/8/2019
Hello, I recently installed an above ground pool 12x18 oval sand filter for my kiddies and not knowing anything about pools once the pool filled up I turned on the filter instead of backwashing it first causing the water to get cloudy...how can I get rid off this cloudiness in the water? First timer here and I have no idea what to do!Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 8/8/2019
If the cloudiness is due to sand, you can wait for it to settle to the bottom of the pool then vacuum it up. If you think there is a chemical imbalance causing this issue, I would test the water to determine the steps needed to correct it. The fix could be as simple as adding some clarifier or adjusting your calcium hardness levels.Reply
victor westhall Posted: 8/7/2019
What can be done if only one of the 4 return inlets have an air leak and poor flow?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 8/7/2019
have you checked any of the things mentioned in this guide? That would be a good place to start.Reply
terri Posted: 7/8/2019
Hi--how ofter do you need to replace an impeller? pump comes on but water wont circulate at all. no leaks I can determine.Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 7/9/2019
Impellers only need to be replaced when they are broken. You may want to try reviewing this guide: How to Correct Low Water Pressure in Your Pool SystemReply
Tracy Posted: 7/3/2019
Good morning. Water was exiting through my backwash hose during filtering and there was low pressure. I was told that it was most likely a faulty valve. The valve was roughly 7 years old. I replaced the valve (from INYOPools) and the same thing is happening. Water also runs out of the backwash hose when turning the handle to a different setting. On recirculate, the pressure is fine and no water exits through the backwash hose. I'm hoping you can tell me what the problem is here because I'm lost. Thank you!Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 7/3/2019
A few things to check: Is the handle stiff or jiggly? A loose handle is the sign of a bad spring.If you open the valve, is the spider gasket still intact and secure in the groove? If not, then this may be the cause of the flow to the backwash.Reply
Bob Posted: 6/27/2019
I seem to get air in lines but only when the skimmer inlet is used. The water level is perfect, psi with only bottom drain is 15, add in skimmer it jumps to 18. All normal, but air somehow gets in and psi starts dropping when skimmer is added.Reply