Suddenly pump so loud

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NewB77777

Well-known member
Dec 1, 2019
88
Los Angeles
Hi,
I emptied out water, and filled fresh water again couple days ago.
However there were some kind of mud and debris near bottom drain area which I coudn't remove
And I think it blocks the drain, and possibly makes pump to sound so loud.

I wanted to open the drain cover on bottom, however water was so cold and deep.
Please let me know how to do.

By the way, I turned on the pump around 9 am, and left and came back around 1pm.
My mother told me that the very loud sound started around 10-11am.
So pump was on for 2-3 hours when something blocked water pipe.
Can you let me know if it could make pump bad.


Thank you
 
A couple things to consider:
1 - You mention the main drain and a concern for it being plugged and wanting to remove the cover. Why not just utilize the skimmer(s) only for water suction. A pool can operate fine without the use of the main drain. Then you could look at the drain next season when the water is warmer. You may have valves before the pump that allow you to pull water only from the skimmer(s).
2 - As for the noise, the cause could vary. Many times a high-pitched squealing noise or grinding noise can be a result of bearings going bad. But you should still ensure there is nothing wrapped around the impeller of the pump. That's the part inside the pump basket where water goes into the pump. You might consider turning off power, removing the clear pump basket lid, and reaching down and into the pump to see if there is any obstruction preventing the impeller from spinning.

You should also ensure that the pump basket (when operational) is full of water up to the clear lid. You always want the pump fully primed with water. Let us know if you still have questions.
 
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In addition to what Pat said, check the basket under that clear cover. Mine started getting loud and I discoverd that that basket was almost completely plugged with small stuff you couln't see thru the lid.
 
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I'm not sure which pipe is bottom drain and which pipe is skimmer
So I played around valve... however non of settings didn't stop the noise.

One thing that I found is...when I turned A pipe on(and B pipe off), I could't see water moving in the strainer
One thing that I found is...when I turned B pipe on(and A pipe off), I could see water moving in the strainer

So I just guessing A pipe is blocked
so I thought A pipe is possible bottom drain, and B pipe is possibly skimmer.
However even though I turned B pipe(possibly skimmer), there was no water flow near skimmer, and it made same noise.

is there a way that I can run pump reverse?
If something is blocked in pipe, it might help.



Thanks.

Texas Splash said:
A couple things to consider:
1 - You mention the main drain and a concern for it being plugged and wanting to remove the cover. Why not just utilize the skimmer(s) only for water suction. A pool can operate fine without the use of the main drain. Then you could look at the drain next season when the water is warmer. You may have valves before the pump that allow you to pull water only from the skimmer(s).
2 - As for the noise, the cause could vary. Many times a high-pitched squealing noise or grinding noise can be a result of bearings going bad. But you should still ensure there is nothing wrapped around the impeller of the pump. That's the part inside the pump basket where water goes into the pump. You might consider turning off power, removing the clear pump basket lid, and reaching down and into the pump to see if there is any obstruction preventing the impeller from spinning.

You should also ensure that the pump basket (when operational) is full of water up to the clear lid. You always want the pump fully primed with water. Let us know if you still have questions.
Click to expand...
 
You mention pipes A & B, and that water flow seemed to be better when A was off versus B, however the poolside skimmer doesn't show much water pull? At this point I think we need to see a picture of your equipment pad. This way we can see exactly how your plumbing and valves are installed. It might help.
 
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NewB...From your first thread, I know your family is new to pool ownership and you're dealing with new equipment. From the previous photos, it looks like your pool has four sources of suction; the skimmer, the main drain(s) on the pool bottom, the spa drain, and an accessory suction/vacuum port on the sidewaIl. Most likely, your skimmer and pool drain are tied together and controlled by a diverter plate (a UFO looking thing) under the skimmer basket. Is your suction cleaner (vacuum) attached to the accessory port on the sidewall? If not, and the sidewall port it closed, it may explain why your pump isn't pulling water.
 
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Your pool appears to be set up similar to mine. Directly in front of the pump is a valve that controls suction from spa/pool. The valve to the right controls pool suction from sidewall accessory port/skimmer and main drain.
 
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I marked up your photo from your previous thread. The way the valves are set up in the photo, suction is from the pool, split between the skimmer/accessory port. Return is back to pool. You'll have to play with the valves to make sure...

IMG_5069.JPG
 
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Rancho Cost-a-Lotta said:
NewB...From your first thread, I know your family is new to pool ownership and you're dealing with new equipment. From the previous photos, it looks like your pool has four sources of suction; the skimmer, the main drain(s) on the pool bottom, the spa drain, and an accessory suction/vacuum port on the sidewaIl. Most likely, your skimmer and pool drain are tied together and controlled by a diverter plate (a UFO looking thing) under the skimmer basket. Is your suction cleaner (vacuum) attached to the accessory port on the sidewall? If not, and the sidewall port it closed, it may explain why your pump isn't pulling water.
Click to expand...
Wow.. you found the reason!!
Yes I didn't connect the vacuum to the port on the sidewall.
I opened the diverter plate, and there was 2 holes. I guess I can block one of the holes which connected to bottom drain, right?
Can you let me know which part and where I need to buy to block it?
I think I can't use bath stopper, right?

BTW, when I opened the cover, skimmer basket was float. I think it is supposed to be bottom to filter debris, right?
Or is it normal the basket is float?

I will update once it fixed the issue.

Thank you very much!
 

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With the diverter plate gone, water will be pulling only from the skimmer, so, for now, you'll be fine. The diverter serves two purposes. First, it has a flap you can manually close to adjust the suction balance from the skimmer and main drain. Second, it has a float valve that is designed to close when the water level in the skimmer drops to an unsafe level. When closed, the valve will allow water to be pulled only from the main drain. You can live without the diverter assuming you don't let the water level drop. Realistically, you won't need to pull water from the main drain under normal operation. You'll need to shop for a diverter that fits the model of your skimmer. There are a few different styles. Here is one example... Amazon.com: Pentair 85015200 Equalizer Assembly Replacement Admiral S20 Pool and Spa Skimmer: Garden & Outdoor

Edit...Take a photo of skimmer with the basket installed so we can take a look. The skimmer basket should be seated at the bottom of the skimmer.
 
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Make sure the valve on the far right is not turned to the accessory port line. Try moving it the opposite ditection. If that doesn't work, turn the Pool / Spa valve the opposite way to pull water from the spa. If there is a blockage, this may help you to isolate where it's at. Don't allow your spa to run dry.
 
I think it is time for me to call pool guy to fix :)
BTW, I attached the picture.
Thanks.
 

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