Recently my skimmer has started what I call "burp back". Sometimes when my pool pump turns off a large amount of air and water come blowing out of my skimmer to the point that it blows the lid off the skimmer. This of course is not ideal as it also blows the contents of the skimmer back into the pool. I can not figure out what is going on. Any suggestions?
Skimmer Burp Back
- Thread starter ckcarpenter
- Start date
It sounds like you have some air trapped in the plumbing. Does your filter have a pressure release valve? How high is the water level in the skimmer opening?
I have not been able to find a pressure release valve anywhere, but I agree about the air, sometimes a lot of air blows out of the water return valves when I first turn the pump on.
Here are the requested pics of my equipment
Attachments
Check the simplest answer. If the weir door is sticky it won’t drop and the pump will clear the skimmer in a flash. A half second later the weir door drops with no water to support it and the burp happens. It fools you into thinking the door is ok. Make sure it moves freely.
When I turn the pump on the weir drop doors, checked it by hand and it is not sticky
Next up is water level. A hair too low and it will respond as you’ve seen. Sorry for the ‘newb’ answers but 9 times out of 10 it’s something silly that was overlooked.
Water level is about 3/4 of the way up the skimmer where I usually keep it. No big, hit me with them because I agree it may be something easy
So something is causing a dead stop condition that’s taking the incoming water to the pump and pushing it back. My next guess would be the pump impeller or a check valve / flow switch in the heater. You have a simple setup so you’re free of any automation actuators that could be sticking.
Check the impeller that it spins freely with all power off. Maybe it’s clogged with hair or pine needles.
Check the impeller that it spins freely with all power off. Maybe it’s clogged with hair or pine needles.
Do you have a main drain because I see second line at the suction close off. The 2hp pump to me sounds excessive maybe contributing to the problem.
Is the impeller inside the round housing with the metal band, any easy way to get to that?
How high is the filter pressure before turning off the pump?
Do you have good flow at the returns?
Do you have good flow at the returns?
I do not have a main drain that is a side suction vacuum drain, that I do not use and have it shut off. I corrected my signature, that was not my pump, I actually have a 1 1/2 HP Pentair Stay Rite Max E Pro. But let's talk about that. That is a new pump I got last year same HP as the ole one but it is way stronger than my previous pump, for example when the pool is running you can not stand in front of the eyes because they are very strong, I would say more powerful than a hot tub. I was contemplating replacing this pump next year with a 1 HP because they give me a lot of trouble with my Polaris 360 etc.
Pressure is about 25, see my response about my pump the flow is very strong with this new pump, to the point of ridiculous.
Yes. It’s basically a fan with blades that grabs water and throws it downstream, sucking more in the process. Take the lid off and the basket out and you should be able to reach in and feel the blades and spin it. Power off with no change of accidental re-energizing, of course.
Look in the skimmer basket with the pump running. Do you see a vortex or whirlpool in the skimmer?
I still think it's too much pump for one return, think that's the issue.
That's my thoughts too, I will be getting a new pump next season, hopefully that will fix it!