Pentair Filter tore and pool lost 70 percent water night

[JoyfulNoise]

That pool was very green. DE filters load up very quickly with algae and I suspect the loading caused the pressure in the filter to be quite high. That and an after-market clamp with improper install (possibly overtightened) caused the shell to crack.

I don’t think it’s vandalism. The amount effort one would need to make a clean cut like that would easily cause a lot of noise and alarm. I think it’s just failure.

 

[JamesW]

Could it be vandalism?

I do not think that that is the most likely explanation.

Possibly improper assembly including overtightening the clamp.

There is actually a pretty narrow window for getting the clamp tight enough without getting it too tight.

Maybe bad chemistry caused the interior to be weakened.

 

[JamesW]

The pictures show the grids are fully clogged, which will cause maximum pressure for the speed.

2,250 rpm is about 16 psi at a completely clogged situation.

16 psi at 450 square inches is 7,200 pounds of force that the clamp has to hold back.

 

[charitap]

This is the clamp I replaced in May 2023.
salangid 190003 Tension Control... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0952LYWLV?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

 

[JamesW]

Couple of weeks back filter was cleaned by someone from loan star pool cleaning guy. He only fixed the clamp.

What was wrong with the clamp?

In any case, your post from

• Nov 30, 2024

Shows that the crack was already beginning.

The service person probably should have seen the crack if they were doing a thorough job, but it is also not super obvious.

The clamp I replaced last year off of amazon when the old clamp threads were gone.

Was it a genuine Pentair clamp?

 

[charitap]

The pictures show the grids are fully clogged, which will cause maximum pressure for the speed.

2,250 rpm is about 16 psi at a completely clogged situation.

16 psi at 450 square inches is 7,200 pounds of force that the clamp has to hold back.

Just buy new casing and new clamp right? Or should I buy whole new filter. Will they installation free?

 

[JamesW]

This is the clamp I replaced in May 2023.
salangid 190003 Tension Control... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0952LYWLV?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

It is a cheap Chinese aftermarket clamp and it might not fit exactly right.

Hard to tell.

In any case, the crack was already showing, so it was just a matter of time before the crack propagated and split the tank in half.

Detailed Seller Information
Business Name: WANGZHEN
Business Address:
汶上县汶上街道明星路与宝塔里交汇处北102号
济宁
山东
272500
CN

No. 102, North of the intersection of Mingxing Road and Baotali, Wenshang Street, Wenshang County
Jining Shandong

 

[JamesW]

Just buy new casing and new clamp right? Or should I buy whole new filter.

Whole new filter.

Will they installation free?

Why would you expect the installation to be free?

Do you place zero value on other people's time and effort?

Would you go to someone's house to work for free?

 

[JamesW]

If someone used a saw, there would be sawdust from the cut.

You could use a razor to score a line but that would be very difficult.

Not really a likely scenario.

Vandalism would probably be obvious damage like someone using a hammer or throwing large objects at the equipment.

 

[charitap]

I also had invisible water leak. What is the order of things I should do.
1. Buy pentaor

What was wrong with the clamp?

In any case, your post from

• Nov 30, 2024

Shows that the crack was already beginning.

The service person probably should have seen the crack if they were doing a thorough job, but it is also not super obvious.

Was it a genuine Pentair clamp?

The screw threads were gone. The clamp

Whole new filter.

Why would you expect the installation to be free?

Do you place zero value on other people's time and effort?

Would you go to someone's house to work for free?

If it is big purchase and they always include installation with product.

 

[charitap]

I turned off the pump this morning. I could just run it to drain completely until water falls to main drain level and clean. Will that cause any issues? Or should I call some one to drain and clean?

 

[JJ_Tex]

I would not drain with all of the rain we have been having, as you will risk it popping out of the ground.

In addition to the equipment issues, you have some serious water issues. Is there chlorine in the water? If not, I would get some liquid chlorine in there ASAP and plan to keep it chlorinated to keep the algae from getting worse. There is a lot of debris in the water as well. What is your plan to get that out of there?

If it were me, I would do the following while waiting on my new filter:
- Add 5 ppm of liquid chlorine daily, brush/use the net to stir the water as best you can
- Since you already need to get the brush and net out, I would try to scoop out leaves and other debris out of the pool (or consider hiring someone to do it).

 

[charitap]

Pentair FNS48. Looks like the correct clamp for the older style filter. How was the clamp tightened? What procedure was used? How tight are the coils touching in the spring?

The clamp is supposed to be tightened until the coils are just touching, using a deadblow around the circumference of the clamp while tightening to ensure even clamping force. I’d postulate the clamp was overtightened, or not tightened evenly, cracking the shell……which over time ultimately gave up. Just my guess.

We know this for sure, it’s new filter time.

Please share a picture of the correct way for clamping. For future reference

 

[JamesW]

If it is big purchase and they always include installation with product.

Whatever you can agree to with the service people.

Maybe they increase the price of the equipment to cover labor.

Draining - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[JamesW]

Please share a picture of the correct way for clamping. For future reference

 

[JamesW]

The screw threads were gone. The clamp

Typically due to improper technique.

Using power tools and/or overtightening can damage threads.

 

[JamesW]

Could it be vandalism? Couple of weeks back filter was cleaned by someone from loan star pool cleaning guy. He only fixed the clamp.

What was wrong with the clamp?

What did he do to fix the clamp?

Do you have any reason to think they would want to do vandalism?

Maybe a dispute?

How much did you pay?

In any case, the crack already existed and it was not due to anyone intentionally causing the crack.

Maybe the service person should have noticed the crack and notified you that the filter needed to be replaced.

However, it is not a very obvious crack and it could easily be missed.

If the crack was noticed, then they should stop immediately and not put the filter back in service.

 

[charitap]

I would not drain with all of the rain we have been having, as you will risk it popping out of the ground.

In addition to the equipment issues, you have some serious water issues. Is there chlorine in the water? If not, I would get some liquid chlorine in there ASAP and plan to keep it chlorinated to keep the algae from getting worse. There is a lot of debris in the water as well. What is your plan to get that out of there?

If it were me, I would do the following while waiting on my new filter:
- Add 5 ppm of liquid chlorine daily, brush/use the net to stir the water as best you can
- Since you already need to get the brush and net out, I would try to scoop out leaves and other debris out of the pool (or consider hiring someone to do it).

I was thinking to drain some more water and then rake all dirt and pour chlorine all around the walls brush and fill water. That is like keeping the pool conpketely drained less than an hour.

Typically due to improper technique.

Using power tools and/or overtightening can damage threads.

Could be.

 

[charitap]

One more question. Anyway i was thinking for replastering. If I find someone to do it now, what should I consider when hiring someone. How much should I expect to pay. I see some chipping. Is it better to fix one off or replaster whole at once. Or postpone to some other time.

 

[Lake Placid]

Please share a picture of the correct way for clamping. For future reference

Full instructions are on your clamp…….like every other pentair clamp for that filter.