Help me troubleshoot low FLOW issues....please.

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Mikey311

Well-known member
May 31, 2016
85
Powder Springs, GA
Over the past few months, Ive been trying to figure out why my pool flow / pump output has decreased a lot since I first bought this house with my pool. At the end of last summer, I did replace the sand in my sand filter and installed a new primary pool pump with the same one that came with the system when I bought the house.

I have checked all of the obvious stuff:
-clean skimmers, pump basket, blockage/build up in pump
-I've tried switching to recirculate mode to avoid the sand filter
-I've tried only pulling from skimmers and then only pulling from main drain to see if that changed anything.

I have had some pebbles from my spa start to come loose last year so I am not sure if they are stuck somewhere in the system causing flow issues. Some of them got into my multi valve on the sand filter making it hard to turn it so I had to remove that and clean the pebbles out.. so wondering if that is causing lot flow issues somehow.

My sand filter PSI seems to stay at 10psi before / after backwash. It is a 500lb sand filter and when I replaced it, I did put in a full 500 lbs.

Another issue I notice which may be a contributor is when I run my aux pump which is used for the pool cleaner... after this runs for a while, my main pump flow gets even worse and my spa overflow slows to a trickle.

From when I first got the pool, i'd guess my current flow is 20-40% of what it originally was just by judging the overflow from the spa waterfall.

Would appreciate any advice you have in helping me figure out the issue in my system. thanks.

Few pics of my system:
 

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Mike,

Did you try by-passing your heater and SWCG? It appears you have a valve to do that..

If you had algae, I would 'assume' your filter pressure would go up.. Does the flow get better after a backwash?

At this point, If this were my pool, I would remove the motor and inspect the impeller.

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
Jimrahbe said:
Mike,

Did you try by-passing your heater and SWCG? It appears you have a valve to do that..

If you had algae, I would 'assume' your filter pressure would go up.. Does the flow get better after a backwash?

At this point, If this were my pool, I would remove the motor and inspect the impeller.

Thanks,

Jim R.
Click to expand...

Bypassing the heater is one thing I have thought about doing but havent tried yet as I wasnt sure how to do it. I will see if I can figure it out to give that a try.

What specifically would I be looking for with the motor / impellar?

Flow doesnt improve much after a backwash.
 
Mikey311 said:
Bypassing the heater is one thing I have thought about doing but havent tried yet as I wasnt sure how to do it. I will see if I can figure it out to give that a try.

What specifically would I be looking for with the motor / impellar?

Flow doesnt improve much after a backwash.
Click to expand...
the top left valve - move it to the other position
 
Jimrahbe said:
Mike,

Try this first and see what you can feel or find..

Depending on the impeller style, junk from trees can get into it and clog it up.

The impeller can also break or crack or ???

clogged pool pump impeller - Search Videos

www.bing.com www.bing.com

Thanks,

Jim R.
Click to expand...

I checked the impeller again like the video suggested and there is nothing clogged around it.

I am really at as loss on this one, I've read suction side leaks could be an issue as well but I don't see any bubbles in the filter box so it doesn't seem air is getting into the system.... but not sure bubbles would be the only thing to look for.

I can try to pull the pump off and check the impeller more thoroughly but not exactly sure what I'm looking for.


It seems like there has to be a blockage somewhere.... the flow from the jets in my spa seems almost non-existent.


Is it possible the replacement pump i installed last year is just underpowered? I thought it replaced it with the same model but there has to be something obvious i am missing here.
 
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Mikey311 said:
Is it possible the replacement pump i installed last year is just underpowered?
Click to expand...
Mike,

What kind of main pool pump do you currently have? Is it a single speed pump?

I just went back and looked at your equipment pad pic.. If you have a square lid to your pump (Hayward Superflo) then you need to check the lid O-Ring.. Do you replace it yet? A long time ago I had one and could never get the square O-ring to seal right unless it was brand new..

That said, it still sounds like a clogged impeller to me... :(

If you do decide to go with a new pump, get a 3 HP VS IntelliFlo that you can control with your EasyTouch.. I like these guys..


Thanks,

Jim R.
 
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First one is a long shot - have you verified the check valves are opening properly? Not a likely cause, but with the clear lids a visual inspection is pretty easy.

Mikey311 said:
I have had some pebbles from my spa start to come loose last year so I am not sure if they are stuck somewhere in the system causing flow issues.
Click to expand...
If you haven’t I’d separate the motor and the wet end. Perform a complete visual inspection of the impeller and diffuser for wear/damage. Rocks may have damaged one or both which could create the issue you describe. Small pebbles may also be lodged in the impeller veins.
 
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Lake Placid said:
First one is a long shot - have you verified the check valves are opening properly? Not a likely cause, but with the clear lids a visual inspection is pretty easy.


If you haven’t I’d separate the motor and the wet end. Perform a complete visual inspection of the impeller and diffuser for wear/damage. Rocks may have damaged one or both which could create the issue you describe. Small pebbles may also be lodged in the impeller veins.
Click to expand...

thanks for the tip, looks like i pulling the motor tomorrow... .

@Jimrahbe

This is the motor I installed last year, it was the same model the previous pool owner had on the system.

Century (A.O. Smith) 2.0 HP Up Rate Motor, Round Flange 56J Frame, Single Speed - Model UST1202 - INYOPools.com
 
Mike,

Just for reference...

I have a SWCG like you do, but since I have a large 3 HP VS pump, I run it 24/7, mostly at 1200 rpm.. This initially sounds insane... :oops:

But... the cost for me to do this is less than $20 bucks a month..

I like to make a little chlorine all the time, and I like to skim all the time.. I also like the look of my pool when there is a little motion to the water.

I have been doing this for over 12 years and the pump runs today, just like it did when originally installed.. I personal believe that it is better for the pump to run 24/7, than it is to turn it on and off each day. I am used to it now, but when new, I had to actually touch the pump to make sure it was still running, that is how quiet it is. :mrgreen:

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
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I got the motor removed and really see nothing in the impeller, maybe a single piece of pine straw....

All of the components seem to be in good shape. Is there anything else I can inspect on the motor while I have it off?

Is it possible the plumbing to my spa is blocked some where?
 
Mike,

You currently have your Return valve set to send about 50% of the water back to your pool and 50% back to your spa for you spillover.. You should have a massive spillover..

Feel the flow at one of your pool return eyeballs and then do the same at a spa return and see if the spa water feels weaker..

I guess it is possible that your Return Jandy valve is clogged or broken... You could take a look and see..

But... you said you saw this problem right after you replaced the main pool pump.. Are your sure that the replacement pump had the same impeller as your original pump?

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
Lake Placid said:
First one is a long shot - have you verified the check valves are opening properly? Not a likely cause, but with the clear lids a visual inspection is pretty easy.


If you haven’t I’d separate the motor and the wet end. Perform a complete visual inspection of the impeller and diffuser for wear/damage. Rocks may have damaged one or both which could create the issue you describe. Small pebbles may also be lodged in the impeller veins.
Click to expand...
Funny, I was going to post the same thing. I suddenly lost flow last season and had no idea why. When I removed the salt cell the season I finally discovered why...a check valve flapper broke free from the the valve and got lodged in front of the salt cell!
 
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I found the issue. I had a spa jet leak test done last fall due to a leak at the jets. The guy who reinstalled the jets had them all set to CLOSED..... Or just barely open.

I honestly didn't even know the jets has a closed setting in them or i would have checked this months ago!

So silly....

Thanks for all the help, pics for your troubles....

20250502_110836.jpg


20250502_110854.jpg
 
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Mike,

Glad you found it... :goodjob:

You are just like everyone else... We all think the worst, before looking at the simple stuff... Sigh!!

Your pool area looks just like mine... Well, almost, where you have trees and beauty, I have neighbors... :(

Very nice looking backyard....

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
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