Sheer Descent Waterfall Has Become Weak

[lismail]

Hello, first time posting so please let me know if I can do anything better!

Backstory:
- Pool was built by the previous owner ~5 years ago. All Hayward w/ OmniLogic Controller.
- Inground, ~22k gal, spill over spa, sheer dsecent waterfall, swg, de filter.
- During the day we have historically ran the pump at 75% and the waterfall has always been strong unless the filter was due for a teardown.
- I installed a new pump last season (vs 950)

Recently, the water fall started to get weak so that reminded me it is probably time to clean the filter grids and recharge. Upon inspection, it seems like some de powder had made make into the pool so I did a full teardown, replaced the grids, and replaced the powder.

After servicing the filter the waterfall is still weak with the pump at 75%.

Things I have tried:
- Full filter tear down, cleaning, grid replacement
- Pool waterfall cleaning metal hook to ensure nothing is blocking the exits. (It looks really clean btw)
- Ensured all baskets are clean and that the pump impeller is not clogged
- Visually inspected the bypass cartridge on the heater.
- Ensured all of the valves are operational and open (automated valves are tuned to boost the waterfall)

At this point I am kind of at a loss. I am not super experienced with pools (this is my first one) but the only other things I could think of is a blockage on the suction side or some kind of restriction on the pressure side. There is no dedicated bypass for the heater so could there be a blockage there?

Appreciate any ideas or feedback,
Lawrence

 

[PoolStored]

Can you post several pictures of the pool, the waterfall, and your equipment pad so we can see all the equipment and valves (if you need multiple pics, do that).
If you can, show pics of the valves in each one of the operating modes (whatever changes automated valves). Wide shots showing all the valve positions at once are better.
Also, how are you testing your water (what kit)?
Post a full set of results. FC, CC, pH, TA, CH, CYA and Salt.

 

[lismail]

Sure thing, here are the requested images. As for the chemicals, I have a cleaning company that handles that. They supposedly use Taylor test kits. Last readings: 2 chlorine, 7.8 pH, 60 alkalinity, 100 Calcium, 60 CYA

Pool automation off:



Pool automation on:

 

[Jimrahbe]

Lawrence,

Normally, the Intake valve (the automated valve right in front of the pump) is either fully in the Pool mode or fully in the Spa mode..

Your Intake valve is set to suck water from the spa and the pool, which is odd...

I suggest that you set the valve to be fully in the Pool mode, and see what happens.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[lismail]

Got it, I just gave that a try. Not seeing any noticable difference. I have attached more photos of the setup with this change.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Not seeing any noticable difference.

Lawrence,

I was hoping that sucking water from the spa, just made it easier to return water to the spa vs. the higher waterfall...

I don't' see anything else that is obvious...

Since it was working before and not now, something changed.. As you already know, a restriction in flow caused by a dirt filer will cause this problem.. Since you cleaned the filter, what else have you got that could cause a similar flow issue??? Something in the heater?? A clogged salt cell???

Did it ever work with your new pump at 75%??

What is the filter pressure at 75%??

It does not look like you have a suction vacuum line, so I doubt the impeller is clogged.. But, it would not hurt to check it..

If you turn off the waterfall and open your pool return lines, does the water returning to your eyeballs feel about the same as normal?

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[lismail]

Since it was working before and not now, something changed.. As you already know, a restriction in flow caused by a dirt filer will cause this problem.. Since you cleaned the filter, what else have you got that could cause a similar flow issue??? Something in the heater?? A clogged salt cell???

Salt cell looks clear. I was thinking the heater could be the cause. Is there an easy way to rule out the heater given I don't have a bypass? Also, when I put the filter valve into bypass it does not improve leading me to believe that the filter is in fact not the issue.

Did it ever work with your new pump at 75%??

Yes, when I installed it last season the waterfall worked as normal.

What is the filter pressure at 75%??

It is at ~16psi which is fairly normal for a clean filter on my pool.

It does not look like you have a suction vacuum line, so I doubt the impeller is clogged.. But, it would not hurt to check it..

I already took the motor off and inspected the impeller. It is clear.

If you turn off the waterfall and open your pool return lines, does the water returning to your eyeballs feel about the same as normal?

This is an interesting test. I closed off the waterfall and opened up both the spa and pool returns. Notably, the spa spillover is not as strong as it once was so there must be some restriction right!?

 

[Jimrahbe]

This is an interesting test. I closed off the waterfall and opened up both the spa and pool returns. Notably, the spa spillover is not as strong as it once was so there must be some restriction right!?

Yes, both the waterfall and the poor spillover indicate a flow issue..

The problem of course is finding it.. It sounds to me like you have done everything right so far...

Without a by-pass, there is no easy way to test the heater...

I do not have a heater, so do not have a lot of experience with them.. I've seen several threads here about internal workings rusting away and failing and clogging the heater..

Let's see if @JamesW has any words of wisdom about heaters...

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[lismail]

Got it, thanks for the help @Jimrahbe!