~20k gallons, in ground, chlorine, sand filter, 1hp pump
Began opening the pool about a month back. Equipment seemed fine. Vac’d to waste a couple of times in the process of opening. Last weekend, the pump was no longer able to fully prime after vacuuming.
I’ll fill it with water in an attempt to prime. But when cutting the pump on, it will take a long time to fully fill the visible area. And even when the water level in the pump rises to nearly full, it will drop and begin filling again. The filter barely registers any pressure, occasionally it will pulse up to 6-8 psi but quickly back to 0. Lots of air bubbles come out of the jets. I can visibly see the skimmer pulling water in.
I thought I may have a clogged skimmer line. That doesn’t seem to be the case. I used a drain bladder device to force any debris out of the skimmer line. Water flowed out of the line and into the pool and never anything more than the tiniest shred of a leaf came through the line. So I feel pretty good that the skimmer line is clear.
I tried checking the impeller. I couldn’t feel any debris in there, so I feel like it’s clear also.
We bought this house 4 years ago (just the 3rd year using the pool), pool was already here…about 25 years old. The equipment doesn’t look brand new by any stretch, but I can’t say exactly how old it is. So I wouldn’t be shocked if it’s time for a new pump. It’s a Hayward pump, but I can’t find a manufacture date on it.
Anything else I should I be looking for? I don’t see any leaks or cracks in the fittings around the pump. O-ring on the lid looks fine, i went ahead and added some lube to it.
Began opening the pool about a month back. Equipment seemed fine. Vac’d to waste a couple of times in the process of opening. Last weekend, the pump was no longer able to fully prime after vacuuming.
I’ll fill it with water in an attempt to prime. But when cutting the pump on, it will take a long time to fully fill the visible area. And even when the water level in the pump rises to nearly full, it will drop and begin filling again. The filter barely registers any pressure, occasionally it will pulse up to 6-8 psi but quickly back to 0. Lots of air bubbles come out of the jets. I can visibly see the skimmer pulling water in.
I thought I may have a clogged skimmer line. That doesn’t seem to be the case. I used a drain bladder device to force any debris out of the skimmer line. Water flowed out of the line and into the pool and never anything more than the tiniest shred of a leaf came through the line. So I feel pretty good that the skimmer line is clear.
I tried checking the impeller. I couldn’t feel any debris in there, so I feel like it’s clear also.
We bought this house 4 years ago (just the 3rd year using the pool), pool was already here…about 25 years old. The equipment doesn’t look brand new by any stretch, but I can’t say exactly how old it is. So I wouldn’t be shocked if it’s time for a new pump. It’s a Hayward pump, but I can’t find a manufacture date on it.
Anything else I should I be looking for? I don’t see any leaks or cracks in the fittings around the pump. O-ring on the lid looks fine, i went ahead and added some lube to it.