Serious help needed

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99% of the time I can't get a prime I put the pump basket see through lid back on wrong (massive suction side air leak made prime impossible)
1% I left a winter plug in the skimmer (was replacing cracked hose)

Other potential culprits:
one or more valves not wide open
need to open air relief valve
debris clogging between valves and basket now
pump basket clogged
water level below skimmers
 
Problem solved. I got prime during the time I came up to my computer to write the previous post. The good news is that I have plenty of flow from the shallow skimmer. So it appears that the crabapple berries were the culprit. I pulled out about 1-2 dozen of them from the skimmer after the hose bladder blew them out.

My next issue is the number of and length of time it takes to get prime on my system. My filter does not have an air bleed other than the pressure valve itself. :paddle:
 
An open note to all that have helped, been supportive, offered encouragement, complimented me, made critical suggestions, and otherwise made it happen for me. To borrow a phrase from the Grateful Dead...."it's been a long strange trip", and my little adventure certainly gets filed under the latter. I started this cleanup around Memorial day, with raking and raking, and more raking. The water was pitch black/dark green. There were bucket loads of debris at the bottom, along with frogs, and tadpoles galore. It would have been an impossibility for me to get to "blue" without all that you have offered. I am truly appreciative and thankful! I have learned a great deal along the way, and perhaps one day I can be of support if not help to someone in my shoes! Once again, a heart felt thank you !:cheers:
 
Swampwoman said:
I've never tried that ^ You'll have to let us know if it works, Richard ;)

What I have seen people use to flush a clog is a drain king...just put it on a garden hose and it sends pressured water like a jet into the system.

(https://www.amazon.com/G-T-Water-Pr...rd_wg=3tl2q&psc=1&refRID=7X7CHQ597DGGH76T2DM8)

I have one but actually freed my skimmer clog by just toggling the valves with pump running. So by the time the drain king came in, I was already home free.

At any rate, fab progress. Hopefully you'll make quick work of this setback and be on your way to a wrap ;)
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Swampwoman you have saved me. Actually your suggestion was the bell winner.....I used a "Clog Buster" manufactured by Oatey which I picked up at Menards. It has a small bladder that attaches to your garden hose. It inflates with water and then creates a high pressure stream.I closed my main and deep skimmer valves, and placed this in my pump lines to my shallow skimmer. I let it rip and it pushed up mini berries about (2 dozen or so) through my skimmer line. I then shopped vac those up. Once I got prime back on my pump (it took forever) I had great flow through that skimmer. So again, thank you. I also sent you a message of thanks. :cheers:
 
Mike1162 said:
How did the berries get past the skimmer basket?
Click to expand...

When I first turned the vac on I may not have had the basket in place. I don't remember, but it could have been another senior moment for me.:hammer:

After a short while, I made sure the basket was in place. On my second go around with the vac today, I decided to to vac to filter but with 3 hairnets in the skimmer basket. That worked.

I have noticed that the floor of the pool especially in the deep end has many wrinkles in the liner. Any remaining debris is caught in the crevices of these wrinkles. The wrinkles could new or could be 30 years old. I have no idea. My vacuum has a tough time with the debris in the crevices. Any ideas ?:scratch:

Thank you for all of your help, ideas, and support!:cheers:
 
BattleOfYakima said:
Just to confirm - achieving initial prime is slower now than right after the new filter was installed? With ALL valves fully opened and water halfway up skimmer baskets?
Click to expand...

No achieving prime has always been an issue. I can't say that it is worse now. It was much harder after I cleared the clog with the water bladder and hose. But I can't say anything beyond that right now.

I am about 90% done with vacuuming. vacuuming is a chore because I may lose prime once I have collected significant amounts of debris. I chose not to vacuum to waste due to water loss issues. I used triple hairnets in my skimmer basket and vacuumed to filter.

In any event, I am almost done. Debris has gathered in wrinkle crevices so it is hard to get to.

Thank you for all of your help and support!:cool:
 

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Swampwoman said:
Well, you've gotten some of the stuff up off the bottom so perchance the FC needs to work on that a bit now. No doubt you're close so just keep at it ;)

I see swimming in your imminent future ;)
Click to expand...


There is still about 10% debris remaining throughout the pool bottom. These are difficult spots to vacuum because wrinkles in the liner have created debris holding crevices. In addition, one can clearly see dirt/algae/scum on the sides of the pool, throughout the entire pool. The latter will require good old fashioned cleaning, with a sponge and bucket of diluted bleach.

I don't expect to pass an overnight test until the aforestated are gone.:cool:
 
Finished vacuuming for the day. Most all visible debris is gone. A couple of troubling spots, however. I think I have stain at a junction point where the deep end side meets the deep end. This was an area of heavy debris collection. After vacuuming, I brushed and brushed the spot to no avail. If in fact this is a stain, is there a way to eradicate it?

Secondly, I am having difficulty priming the pump. I don't know if it is a function of the new filter, but I lost prime after I turned the pump off to switch to backwash. I neglected to turn the valves off before turning off the pump. It took forever to get prime, and during the process the deep end return was spewing air bubbles on an inconsistent basis. In watching youtube videos they demonstrate opening an air valve to bleed air from the system. Apparently my new filter has such a valve. There is no question that air is in my system making priming difficult. Should I be utilizing this valve, and will that remove air from my lines ?:confused:

My pump and filter are uphill from the pool about 20 degrees and about 20 yards from the pool itself.

Thank you:kim:
 
I Need the proper procedure for cleaning the submerged sides of the pool. There is what appears to be a thin layer of scum/dirt/algae that looks like it could be wiped down. However, I cant easily get to it. I don't think brushing is the way to go, unless the members here disagree. Please advise.:scratch:
 
Open the air bleeder on the filter and turn on the pump. You may need to run a hose into the skimmer to help the pump catch prime. Since the pump and filter are uphill from the pool you may need to install or replace check valves on the suction and return lines. A suction side air leak can also be contributing to the air in the pipes, but it sounds like all the water is running back into the pool when the pump is turned off. A check valve will prevent the water from flowing backwards through the system when the pump is off.
 

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