Pool drains no functioning.

[Helium]

Pool guy had to isolate the pool drains on startup as the pump would not prime.

This is either due to them leaking or some other reason which I do not remember what he said.

He did mention that a scuba diver might have to repair the drains.

What could a scuba diver do to repair the drains and what could my issue be?

I am worried that not having the bottom drains operational will not give enough circulation to have the bottom of the pool clean. I tried using the pool vacuum and there did not appear to be enough power to keep the system running as the pump would lose its prime and the jets in the wall would eventually stop ejecting water.

• Is it possible the lines under the pool are clogged and need to be blown out or snaked?
• Is there any scenario the pool would need to be drained?

 

[ajw22]

Many pools do not have a main drain and operate appropriately with good circulation.

Without your main drain, you have only one skimmer, which may not be sufficient to feed water to your pump when vacuuming.

It looks like your pool has algae. Does your pool pass a Overnight Chlorine Loss Test ? If not, you need to follow the SLAM Process to get your pool algae freed.

The algae can clog your filter and cause your vacuuming problems.

 

[Helium]

Many pools do not have a main drain and operate appropriately with good circulation.

Without your main drain, you have only one skimmer, which may not be sufficient to feed water to your pump when vacuuming.

When the vacuum pump is not attached the pool pump intake is completely full when looking through the sight glass. With the vacuum attachment, it is only half full:

It looks like your pool has algae. Does your pool pass a Overnight Chlorine Loss Test ? If not, you need to follow the SLAM Process to get your pool algae freed.

This is after the pool guys came out 2 days ago and put some powders and chemicals into the pool. They told me to add chlorine tablets to the chlorinator later, which I did today as the strip test was weak.

I'll read up on the OCLT and SLAM process.

The algae can clog your filter and cause your vacuuming problems.

The pool guys flushed the sand filter and the water came out clear.

 

[ajw22]

You need a good test kit. Test strips are inaccurate and unreliable.

Get the Taylor K-2006C or TFT Test Kits if you want to clean up your pool/

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[Helium]

I backflushed the filter and then rinsed it, 1 minute each which was enough for clear water. My pressure is slightly lower now than the 24-26psi it was earlier.

Is 18psi considered normal?

 

[ajw22]

18 PSI is okay for a single speed pump.

Backwash your filter when it rises by 25%, about 23 PSI.