Too Much Vacuum Suction

[qbot]

I've searched the forum and couldn't find any answers...

I have a standard vacuum head attached to my hose and telescoping pole. Recently, when I've vacuumed, I get too much suction and cannot move the head. I either have to break the seal at the skimmer or wrench the pole sideways to break the seal. I'm trying to entice my wife and son into vacuuming duty but they see me struggle and run for zee hills.

In the past, it would stick in certain parts of the pool--the transition between shallow and deep end, for instance--but now it will stick just about everywhere, even relatively smooth areas. What gives? The vacuum head is relatively old, could it be too pliable?

Help.

 

[mynewpool]

Are the bristles pretty much gone? If so you may want to think about replacing it. I am sure someone can come along with something better though.

 

[qbot]

No bristles on the vacuum. It looks almost identical to this...

 

[Bama Rambler]

Try opening the main drain some to lesson the amount of suction at the skimmer where the vacuum is hooked up.

 

[qbot]

I can't. One of the screws holding my diverter valve in place broke off in the skimmer. Rather than try to drill it out and risk a bigger calamity (cracked skimmer), I was told not to bother and just remove the valve altogether. As a result, I haven't been able to regulate the flows from the main drain versus the skimmer.

That would explain why the suction is so much more powerful this year as opposed to last year, but I'm stuck with my current set up (unless you think the diverter valve is a necessity).

 

[Bama Rambler]

What you can do is buy a vacuum regulator. One came with my above ground automatic vacuum. It a Zoom but all that type I think have them.

 

[Durk]

I'd check your vac head. Do all the wheels turn freely? If you put it on a flat surface (like a table), does it roll freely? You should have a clearance between the plastic and the table--enough that you can see light out the other side. Sometimes the wheels/axles break. They may or may not be adjustable. Are there any splits in the plastic that would cause the vacuum hole to get sucked right to the pool floor?

It may just be time for a new vac head. There are better ones out there than the one pictured, which looks like the freebie that came with my pool.

 

[mynewpool]

I have the same one that is pictured and works great for me. Could be just time for a new one. They are cheap so you could get a new one and if it does not work take it back.

 

[geekgranny]

A vacuum regulator came with my vac cleaner too. I'll find the part. I think the one for mine is automatic.

EDITIt is a "Bypass valve". Comes with The Pool Cleaner, suction cleaners. It's part #15 on down the page in "additional parts"

http://www.thepoolcleaner.com/PoolCleanerParts.html

Here's a product I just found. Maybe this would do the job. It's called a Vac-Mate.

http://www.aqua-man.com/row_num.asp?Ic=6338

gg=alice