Weir door keeps closing

[Waiawa]

I noticed this morning my pump was sucking air and noisy, so I thought there might be a leak somewhere and shut off the skimmer valve and noticed my pump basket was filling with water and all the air was starting to be flushed out.

I then closed the main drain and opened the skimmer and the water dropped down and air filled the pump basket.
So it seemed something was up with my skimmer and upon investigation I noticed the weir door was closed.

Pushed it open, turned on pump and seemed to work a little, but air was still coming in...checked the door again, and it was closed...hmmm!
I don't see any water flow/movement in the skimmer with the door opened and the pump off, so I don't think there's a leak below the skimmer basket.

My only thought is the water level might have something to do with it?
Any ideas what might be causing this?

The door moves freely, so I know nothing is lodged in there and keeping the door closed.
I'm going to drain some water first to see if that helps, since the level looks to be slightly higher than half way, but I would think that would keep the door open and not shut it as the pump sucks water from there.

Things that make you go Hmmm!

 

[Newdude]

My only thought is the water level might have something to do with it?
Any ideas what might be causing this?

The door moves freely, so I know nothing is lodged in there and keeping the door closed.
I'm going to drain some water first to see if that helps, since the level looks to be slightly higher than half way, but I would think that would keep the door open and not shut it as the pump sucks water from there

Generally the top edge has some sort of styrofoam on the inside that will ‘float’ and if the water level is too high, it won’t open on its own without a lot of pump suction. Lowering the water to halfway very well could fix it.

 

[Waiawa]

Generally the top edge has some sort of styrofoam on the inside that will ‘float’ and if the water level is too high, it won’t open on its own without a lot of pump suction. Lowering the water to halfway very well could fix it.

Thanks!
I'll see what happens and report back for others in this same situation.
The pb said to just remove the door, but I think otherwise, if I remove the door I'll end up with back flow I'd think.

 

[YippeeSkippy]

You do NOT want to remove the door. That door serves an important function!

Also, when the pump is off the door closes it keeps any debris that is sitting in the skimmer basket from floating back into the pool.

Maddie

 

[Waiawa]

You do NOT want to remove the door. That door serves an important function!

Also, when the pump is off the door closes it keeps any debris that is sitting in the skimmer basket from floating back into the pool.

Maddie

Yes, removing the door is not in the plan...I figured it was there for a reason so back flow of debris does not happen.
What I don't understand is, why the door stays shut upon start up of the pump?
I would think the vacuum of the water going down the skimmer would pull the door open, at least that's how I think this door works.
Then again, this is all new to me, so I can only look at things, ask questions and try to figure things out myself.
Thank God for TFP to help with my pool problems!

 

[ajw22]

I would think the vacuum of the water going down the skimmer would pull the door open, at least that's how I think this door works.

The pressure of the water should open the weir door unless it is sticking.

What is your water level relative to the skimmer mouth? Is the water halfway up the mouth or more?

 

[Jimrahbe]

I figured it was there for a reason so back flow of debris does not happen.

W,

The primary reason for a weir door is so that the skimmer .. skims the surface water which brings with it all the floating debris. The fact that it helps prevent stuff from reentering the pool is just a bonus..

The weir door makes it appear that the level of the water is lower in the skimmer than in the pool.. This causes the surface water to rush over the weir, just like a spillway on a river.. If you hold your weir door down, you will see this action disappears and the water into the skimmer comes from the bottom of skimmer mouth and the surface debris will just sit there.

If water is being sucked out of the skimmer basket and the weir door is not falling over toward the basket, then the door has to be sticking or something else is holding it up.. As the water in the basket side goes down, the water in the pool should push the weir door down.. If this is not happening, then the door has to be stuck up...

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Waiawa]

Thank you Jim!
I just experienced what you mentioned about holding the weir door down...I notice there was no waterfall...just calmness.
Which confirmed I really need the door, I guess the pb didn't want to try to figure out why it is doing what it's doing!
I didn't get a chance to lower the level of water, and it seemed to have been ok this morning when I checked it.

How do you remove the door?
I don't see any clips/buttons to release it and I don't want to break it, since I'll be putting it back.
The pb said to just pull it off, but it doesn't look like it comes off that way, unless I really need to use a lot of force.
I want to remove to be sure there is nothing there that's causing the stuck up!

 

[jseyfert3]

How do you remove the door?
I don't see any clips/buttons to release it and I don't want to break it, since I'll be putting it back.

What skimmer do you have? Is it a Hayward? The one I have pictured below is a Hayward (note the H logo).

Note the two vertical slots along the bottom section. If you have skinny fingers like me you can pry the outside where my intex finger is and push it towards the rest of the simmer door. Otherwise a careful application of a flat blade screwdriver or similar should also do the trick. This bends the piece inwards, and the pin seen in the very lower left of the door will pop out of the side of the skimmer, releasing the door.

 

[Waiawa]

Mine is a WaterWay, and I was looking for something like you have, but I could not see anything.
I didn't lower the water any, but I did turn down the pump from 2400 to 2000, and it seems to be working fine now.
The door is operating as it should, but I'm still not comfortable with it since I'm not positive what the cause is.