I've been following the TFP method for the last 11+ years and have always opened early to a dirty (but clear) pool. This year, I opened late to a green monster that looked like a giant lime jello shot! One week later following the usual TFP methods, I was back to very clear water but with a high daily FC usage. I have noticed in prior years that I have had a high FC usage until I break down the filter and clean the grids after the initial opening. I assumed that the high FC usage was due to all of the organics that got cleaned out being trapped in the filter.
This year, I have seen small piles of off-white junk on the pool bottom that I thought was dead algae or tree pollen (which happens to be really high right now). I started thinking that maybe what I'm seeing on the pool bottom is filter media (I use cellulose) returning from the filter. When I broke down the filter last weekend to clean the grids, I inspected the internals and found no rips in the grids (1 years old), cracks in the header or any other visible problems. For good measure, I replaced the o-ring on the filter outlet riser pipe which was 11 years old but still in good shape.
I keep coming back to a possible problem with the spider gasket in the multi-port valve which is original and now over 11+ years old. From what I've read, when spider gaskets fail, the typical sign is water leaking from the waste port. In my case, there is no water leaking from the waste port when the multi-port valve is in the "filter" position. Do these gaskets ever fail where either filter media or unfiltered water is returned back to the pool?
I purchased a new spider gasket and the Loctite 406 glue that is recommended by the manufacturer. Do you think that replacing the spider gasket is the cause of the problem? I hesitate replacing the spider gasket this weekend because there is rain in the forecast for the next three days and I may have to lower the water level. I also need to keep the pump going to feed the chlorine monster.
Sorry for the long-winded post. Thanks in advance for your help.
This year, I have seen small piles of off-white junk on the pool bottom that I thought was dead algae or tree pollen (which happens to be really high right now). I started thinking that maybe what I'm seeing on the pool bottom is filter media (I use cellulose) returning from the filter. When I broke down the filter last weekend to clean the grids, I inspected the internals and found no rips in the grids (1 years old), cracks in the header or any other visible problems. For good measure, I replaced the o-ring on the filter outlet riser pipe which was 11 years old but still in good shape.
I keep coming back to a possible problem with the spider gasket in the multi-port valve which is original and now over 11+ years old. From what I've read, when spider gaskets fail, the typical sign is water leaking from the waste port. In my case, there is no water leaking from the waste port when the multi-port valve is in the "filter" position. Do these gaskets ever fail where either filter media or unfiltered water is returned back to the pool?
I purchased a new spider gasket and the Loctite 406 glue that is recommended by the manufacturer. Do you think that replacing the spider gasket is the cause of the problem? I hesitate replacing the spider gasket this weekend because there is rain in the forecast for the next three days and I may have to lower the water level. I also need to keep the pump going to feed the chlorine monster.
Sorry for the long-winded post. Thanks in advance for your help.
