Pump pressure/green pool

[D..H..]

Hi All,

Noobie here with noobie issues.

I had to be away all last summer and the pool was left unattended. I am trying to get it going but having issues.

Issue 1- The pump pressure is noticeably lower at the skimmer but the gauge on the sand filter shows higher than you would expect, 27 psi after backwashing.

Issue 2- The pool is greenish and there are leaves and such at the bottom. To vacuum I have an old Polaris 280 with a 3/4 HP booster pump. It sorta kinda works but won’t pick up leaves. I suspect this is because of Issue 1. I have a new Dolphin S200 but it won’t work because the pool is so dirty.

How do I go about fixing the issues?

Thanks.

 

[Texas Splash]

I would do the following:
1 - Scoop as much junk manually as possible. This helps the chlorine work better and also helps to prevent damage to your cleaners.
2 - Check the suction line closely for potential blockage. Use a garden hose to push water forward and backward in case something slipped in there.
3 - Check the pump impeller area for potential debris.
4 - Test water movement on recirculate first. If water moves good in Recirc but comes to a halt in filter, the filter is overwhelmed and needs backwashing.

 

[D..H..]

I would do the following:
1 - Scoop as much junk manually as possible. This helps the chlorine work better and also helps to prevent damage to your cleaners.
2 - Check the suction line closely for potential blockage. Use a garden hose to push water forward and backward in case something slipped in there.
3 - Check the pump impeller area for potential debris.
4 - Test water movement on recirculate first. If water moves good in Recirc but comes to a halt in filter, the filter is overwhelmed and needs backwashing.

Will try these. Thanks-

 

[D..H..]

I would do the following:
1 - Scoop as much junk manually as possible. This helps the chlorine work better and also helps to prevent damage to your cleaners.
2 - Check the suction line closely for potential blockage. Use a garden hose to push water forward and backward in case something slipped in there.
3 - Check the pump impeller area for potential debris.
4 - Test water movement on recirculate first. If water moves good in Recirc but comes to a halt in filter, the filter is overwhelmed and needs backwashing.

There's a definite issue with #4. Pressure during filtration is 27 psi. Pressure during recirculation is 15 psi. When I switch back to filtration pressure starts @ 22 psi progressing back to 27 psi.

The sand in the filter is 4 years old. I used a flocculant 3 years ago.

 

[Texas Splash]

Pressure during filtration is 27 psi. Pressure during recirculation is 15 psi. When I switch back to filtration pressure starts @ 22 psi progressing back to 27 psi.

That's a good indication the sand is trapping organic material. It will require frequent monitoring to know when to backwash (an increase in 25% pressure). As for the floc, it was a long time ago. Not sure if chlorine over the years is enough on its own to break it down, or if the sand was permanently compromised. Time will tell as you continue the SLAM.

 

[Gotta Pool]

I would say that if you have 15 psi in recirculation and 27 psi through the filter even after backwashing, you will need to deep clean your filter media. I don't know if there is information in this forum, but there are a lot of Youtube videos detailing the deep cleaning process. It is a PITA, but a necessary evil, after a period of time.

In the future, if possible, when vacuuming up the worst crud, it is best to vacuum to waste so that you don't abuse the filter media.

 

[D..H..]

I would say that if you have 15 psi in recirculation and 27 psi through the filter even after backwashing, you will need to deep clean your filter media. I don't know if there is information in this forum, but there are a lot of Youtube videos detailing the deep cleaning process. It is a PITA, but a necessary evil, after a period of time.

In the future, if possible, when vacuuming up the worst crud, it is best to vacuum to waste so that you don't abuse the filter media.Is the

Is that...
backwash 3-5 minutes
turn off pump and set valve to filter
remove pump strainer lid
add sand filter cleaner into basket and replace lit
run pump 15 seconds
turn off and let it sit for 8 hours
backwash 3-5 minutes

 

[Texas Splash]

Is that...
backwash 3-5 minutes

Not really. When it's time to backwash (pressure increases by 25%), you do so until the waste water or sight glass starts to look clear. Then you turn off the pump and switch to RINSE and do the same. Then you can go back to FILTER for normal operations. Pump is always off when changing handle positions. See the links below for more helpful info.

Routine Pump/Filter Maintenance

A working Filter and pump are vital parts for your pool. Read our artiticle on how to clean your filter & other Pool Maintenance Tips.

www.troublefreepool.com

Maintenance and Cleaning of Pool Filters

Maintaining your swimming pool filter system is important. Learn how to clean and maintain your pool filter at low cost & enjoy a Trouble Free Pool.

www.troublefreepool.com

Deep Cleaning a Sand Filter

This post will walk you through the anatomy of a sand filter, and then provide a video at the end for how to deep clean your sand filter. The filter used in the photos and videos is a Hayward S180T top mount sand filter. The images are of a similar filter. Obviously not all filters are...

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[D..H..]

Not really. When it's time to backwash (pressure increases by 25%), you do so until the waste water or sight glass starts to look clear. Then you turn off the pump and switch to RINSE and do the same. Then you can go back to FILTER for normal operations. Pump is always off when changing handle positions. See the links below for more helpful info.

Routine Pump/Filter Maintenance

A working Filter and pump are vital parts for your pool. Read our artiticle on how to clean your filter & other Pool Maintenance Tips.

www.troublefreepool.com

Maintenance and Cleaning of Pool Filters

Maintaining your swimming pool filter system is important. Learn how to clean and maintain your pool filter at low cost & enjoy a Trouble Free Pool.

www.troublefreepool.com

Deep Cleaning a Sand Filter

This post will walk you through the anatomy of a sand filter, and then provide a video at the end for how to deep clean your sand filter. The filter used in the photos and videos is a Hayward S180T top mount sand filter. The images are of a similar filter. Obviously not all filters are...

www.troublefreepool.com

Got it.... thanks.

 

[Gotta Pool]

Is that...
backwash 3-5 minutes
turn off pump and set valve to filter
remove pump strainer lid
add sand filter cleaner into basket and replace lit
run pump 15 seconds
turn off and let it sit for 8 hours
backwash 3-5 minutes

Unfortunately, no. You need to remove the valve so that you can gain access to the inside of the filter. Then using municipal pressure, a hose, and a rigid tube (easily built from big box store wares) (a valve is helpful, too) carefully and gently probe into the sand and between the risers. Given your pressure differential, you will probably be amazed at the gunk and chocolate-covered water that floats out of the filter. Given your pressure differential, even after a backwash, you've got a filter dirty enough that backwashing isn't enough. See Here.

 

[D..H..]

There was a problem with the sand filter. I started deep cleaning the sand filter and noticed the volume of sand was much lower than it should be and the sand wasn’t like sand. It was gunky, almost cement.

I emptied the sand filter, checked the laterals, and replaced the sand. The sand filter is working at 100% and the pressure is where it should be.

Now I just need to clean the pool and get the chemicals right.

Thanks guys.

 

[Gotta Pool]

Glad you got it fixed! Sounds like it might not have been the right sand?

 

[D..H..]

Glad you got it fixed! Sounds like it might not have been the right sand?

Yes, almost certainly the wrong sand. The sand filter is cranking along now.