Intex sand filter flow diminishing

[sssscary]

A couple mornings I woke up and notice the flow of water seemed to be half it normally is from my intex sand filter pump. If i shut of the pump, take the cover of the basket or let some air in with the release valve, restart pump, it is back to normal. There is no dirt or leaves anywhere i can see. Its only a couple weeks old. Any ideas?

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[zea3]

Is the pump basket completely full of water or is there an air bubble in the lid?

 

[sssscary]

It is completely full of water when I notice the problem.

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[duraleigh]

Does the pressure gauge indicate anything other than normal? Have you backwashed?

 

[sssscary]

The pressure gauge seems to be on the normal zone. I have not backwashed at all since the initial set up.

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[duraleigh]

1. Note the position of the pressure gauge.

2. Backwash. (rinse, if available, too)

3. Note the position of the pressure gauge after backwash.

Always turn the pump off when changing modes.

Report back your findings.

 

[sssscary]

Thanks. The pressure was about 4.5 before. I backwashed, but it only took a couple minutes to run clear. It was still at 4.5 after. Water flow is currently strong.

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[duraleigh]

The implication is that your psi gauge is broken and needs to be replaced. The other implication is that you need to read more in Pool School about the maintenance of your system and "The ABC's of Pool Water Chemistry" up in Pool School. You should backwash your filter each time the psi increases by 25%.....with a broken gauge, you can never do that.