Hello All,
Like so many others, this site and forum have been invaluable resources for me as a relatively new pool owner. This is my fourth season with the pool (came with the house), and I’ve got my chemistry down pretty well. But I do have one issue: This is the second summer I’ve noticed substantially lower-than-normal water flow into the pool from the returns in the walls and floor.
I first noticed this after opening the pool last summer, and that is also when I had a SWG installed (previously used liquid chlorine). Not sure if those two things are related or coincidental. This summer, I replaced the cartridge filters, both because they were pretty worn out (I’m not sure if or when the previous owner had last replaced them) and because I thought it might help with the low flow issue. No such luck.
In addition to the low flow from the returns, I’ve also noticed two possibly related things: 1) There are occasional bubbles—sometimes large, sometimes very small—coming from the returns. 2) The pressure gauge on the filter seems to show a lower psi reading than it used to for the same rpm pump speed, and when I release the pressure valve on the gauge it only dribbles water out (after briefly releasing some air) instead of shooting the water 6-8 feet like it used to.
For what it’s worth, the pool’s original pump died at the end of last season, and I had a new one installed before opening the pool this season. I don’t think this was related to the pressure issue, but I suppose it’s possible.
A couple possible causes of the low flow that I’ve considered: 1) a blockage of some kind between the pump and the filter, causing reduced suction. 2) Normal wear and tear that has damaged o-rings, etc, causing a leak on the suction side. I haven’t really taken action yet to address these possibilities.
Apologies for the long post. I’d greatly appreciate any insights!
Like so many others, this site and forum have been invaluable resources for me as a relatively new pool owner. This is my fourth season with the pool (came with the house), and I’ve got my chemistry down pretty well. But I do have one issue: This is the second summer I’ve noticed substantially lower-than-normal water flow into the pool from the returns in the walls and floor.
I first noticed this after opening the pool last summer, and that is also when I had a SWG installed (previously used liquid chlorine). Not sure if those two things are related or coincidental. This summer, I replaced the cartridge filters, both because they were pretty worn out (I’m not sure if or when the previous owner had last replaced them) and because I thought it might help with the low flow issue. No such luck.
In addition to the low flow from the returns, I’ve also noticed two possibly related things: 1) There are occasional bubbles—sometimes large, sometimes very small—coming from the returns. 2) The pressure gauge on the filter seems to show a lower psi reading than it used to for the same rpm pump speed, and when I release the pressure valve on the gauge it only dribbles water out (after briefly releasing some air) instead of shooting the water 6-8 feet like it used to.
For what it’s worth, the pool’s original pump died at the end of last season, and I had a new one installed before opening the pool this season. I don’t think this was related to the pressure issue, but I suppose it’s possible.
A couple possible causes of the low flow that I’ve considered: 1) a blockage of some kind between the pump and the filter, causing reduced suction. 2) Normal wear and tear that has damaged o-rings, etc, causing a leak on the suction side. I haven’t really taken action yet to address these possibilities.
Apologies for the long post. I’d greatly appreciate any insights!