Clogged Filter (High PSI) - Again, if water can't get through a clogged filter, you will have less water flowing out of the filter. Incidentally, this will increase the water pressure in the filter signaling that it is time to clean the filter.
Solution: Wash your cartridge filter. Periodically soak the filter overnight in a TSP solution to get the grease and gunk out of the folds. Grease is produced by suntan lotion, sebum (oils secreted by the human body) and pine tree needles. Then soak the cartridge in a weak solution of muriatic acid (10:1) to get the minerals out of the folds. Use the TSP before the acid or the gunk will set up in the folds. For sand filters you will need to backwash as required. Change the sand every five to seven years. In between changes, if sand has caked on top, take one to two inches off at the top and replace it with new sand.
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dmoore777 Posted: 6/21/2014
Thanks "InyoPools" it was the filter.....I soaked it overnight in a solution of TSP, and the water was greenish-brown when I checked it this AM. Also when I washed it out with the hose, there was alot of darkish color water coming off of it.When I reinstalled in the system and turned it on, there was plenty of circulation power, just like I remember from when it was new.
Thanks again!!!
Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 6/19/2014
dmoore77 - Apply a soapy solution around the suction side connections before the pump to see if any bubble get sucked into a leak when the pump is running. If your filter has a breather tube going to the top of the tank, check that that is not clogged. Lastly you may have a chemical block build up in the folds of your filter that's hard to clean out with a hose. Try soaking your cartridge in a TSP solution overnight.Reply
TX_salt_pool Posted: 6/19/2014
I found another although less likely source: check the pump pre-filter basket for cracks. At first this may seem counter-intuitive (i.e. a crack should let more water thru), but it can have the opposite effect as well. My pump normally runs at 18-20 PSI, but had lately been running at around 10 PSI. While troubleshooting the supply side, I discovered a 3-4" vertical crack in my basket right in front of the opening to the impeller. This crack (along with some leafy debris) was causing the basket to 'flex' when under suction load, effectively closing the normal gap that exists between the basket and housing. This flexing effect restricted the flow to the pump inlet and caused the pressure drop. Replacing the basket with a new one fixed the problem.Reply
dmoore777 Posted: 6/19/2014
My pressure gauge is reading between 15-20 on a regular basis. Water flow, when it is reading these numbers is slow. When I clean the filter, it usually will go back to about 10 and the flow appears normal, but definitely is increased. It will stay that way for 3-6 hours, but then the gauge will begin showing an increase going back up over different amounts of time (sometimes quickly & sometimes gradually). I see no water leaks anywhere. I also cannot get much suction to vacuum pool.Skimmer & strainer baskets are clean, filter is fairly new, and I checked the gasket on strainer (OK), and checked/cleaned impeller. I also replaced the pump motor & seals just a few weeks ago.
I am noticing a few small bubbles coming out of two different returns.
Any other suggestions????? Thanks!
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InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 6/18/2014
craftycatey - I'll assume that the pool professional checked for a clogged impeller and rule that out. If your pump has full prime, you don't have a suction leak. About all that's left is a clogged pipe or hose on the suction side. Have someone check the suction piping.Reply
craftycatey Posted: 6/16/2014
I've tried it all...even took everything (pump and D.E. filter/fins) in to the 'pool professional' who agreed they were all fine. Purchased new D.E. and new pressure gauge, but still no circulation. Pressure gauge reads about 5 pts. higher then previously, but not able to vacuum or circulate chemicals. Cleaned the fins with solution, worked for 1/2 hr. then back to no ciruclation. Any ideas?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 6/13/2014
Ethan - A clogged impeller is a common problem. See our guide on "How To Clean Out a Pool Pump Impeller".Reply
Ethan Posted: 6/12/2014
My pool jets used to shoot water out and make the pool like a river now all the sudden it barely moves the water my pool doesn't have any movement at all I've tried cleaning filter and chemicals now every week it turns greens again because of this problem any solutions?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 6/6/2014
Newpool - It sounds like algae is still clogging your filter. If you have a suction port, try suctioning any algae remaining at the bottom of your pool out through the waste port - bypassing the filter. Then take your filter grids out and hose them down good to get any remaining algae out of the grids. Add new DE.Reply
Newpool Posted: 6/4/2014
We are new pool owners and trying to figure out why the returns and skimmer don't maintain pressure. We have cleaned the DE filter and replaced DE. There are no bubbles in the pump filter. We've tried back washing as there is still a bit of algae at the deep end after opening the pool a week ago. After each backwash the returns run well for about an hour but then begin to lose pressure. Water level is good. PSI does rise about 5 Pts as the returns start to weaken...but again goes back down after back washing. Thoughts on what the issue might be?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 6/2/2014
elfiador - Make sure the cartridge is seated all the way down when you place it in the tank so that the tank cover is able to all the way down. If that is not an issue, it could be that you have a partial block in the piping or pump that reduces the pressure enough to not work with the cartridge in.Reply
elfiador Posted: 5/31/2014
HAVE A HAYWARD CARTRIGE FILTER NEW WHEN I PUT IT IN NO WATER PRESURE TAKE IT UT AND IT RUN PERFECT DONT KNOW WHAT WRONGReply
daniel Posted: 5/26/2014
Very good article, at mine was step 10, incredible after a few month tryng to find the problem in a monday evening i found this article and here are two thre step more ,Finaly i replace the pressure indicator whith new one and it worked
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