Do I have a leak? Poor circulation and return jet not working

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C

Cindypantz

Member
May 30, 2022
21
Phoenix, AZ
Pool Size
6730
Surface
Plaster
Chlorine
Liquid Chlorine
So I finally have my water clear, but the past few days it seems like 2 of my return jets/nozzles, not sure what they're called, are not having any water flow. The ones on the pool floor seem to be working, and one on the side of the pool has good flow, but is bubbling a bit. The water doesn't seem to be circulating well. Leaves and my chlorine puck floaters are just hanging out in the same place whereas last week the circulated around. Water does seem to be getting moved through the skimmer, but fewer leaves are getting pulled in. Pump pressure is at about 15 psi which is normal. I can see maybe a couple of bubbles through the top of the pump cover, but otherwise water seems to be going through.

Why are 2 of my returns not working? And what type of professional do I call out for help?


Force 1, Purex Triton WhisperFlo pool motor, Pentair DE filter.

Thanks! I heart you all!
 
Do you have a pressure gauge? I know when I get close to 15-20psi it is time. When the pressure gets that high my return is vastly reduced, and the fountain becomes a trickle.
 
Cindypantz said:
Just 3 weeks ago. Both backwash and fully cleaning the filter/adding fresh DE.
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Backwashing, no problem, I will get right on it. Do you think I really need to tear the whole filter down again? There has not been any algae or major debris in my pool since it was last cleaned. The guy who came out and did it for me suggested I should only have to tear it down 2-3 times per year. Is this wrong info?
 
So I am a pool owner like you and noticed your pool signature indicates you pool was just plastered less than two months, I had my pool also plastered last fall, so here's guessing you still have plenty of plaster dust, if your brush, brush, and brushing , as required, then more frequent backing washing is required, as Steven mentioned PSI gauge watching is very important.
 
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Cindypantz said:
Do you think I really need to tear the whole filter down again
Click to expand...
No, just backwash.
Cindypantz said:
The guy who came out and did it for me suggested I should only have to tear it down 2-3 times per year. Is this wrong info?
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yes , sounds like he's drumming up service calls. We have the same size DE filter and I do mine maybe once a year . So, try this, you can use those food workers hair nets on your pool skimmer basket to catch lots of debris ( when stuff in season) before it gets to your filter.
I have a question, after a backwash, how much DE power are you adding?
 
CT-Steven said:
Do you have a pressure gauge? I know when I get close to 15-20psi it is time. When the pressure gets that high my return is vastly reduced, and the fountain becomes a trickle.
Click to expand...
I do, it is currently reading about 16 psi and I just backwashed. My reading after the filters were completely cleaned out was about 13 psi though so 15 seems pretty standard for my pump. The pool guy told me if I approach 30psi I need to tear it down and clean it again.
 
jsygrls said:
So I am a pool owner like you and noticed your pool signature indicates you pool was just plastered less than two months, I had my pool also plastered last fall, so here's guessing you still have plenty of plaster dust, if your brush, brush, and brushing , as required, then more frequent backing washing is required, as Steven mentioned PSI gauge watching is very important.
Click to expand...
There is a lot of dust in the hole where my water gauge is and I need to get a shop vac to clean that out. First time home owner, so I have a lot of things to buy.
 
jsygrls said:
No, just backwash.

yes , sounds like he's drumming up service calls. We have the same size DE filter and I do mine maybe once a year . So, try this, you can use those food workers hair nets on your pool skimmer basket to catch lots of debris ( when stuff in season) before it gets to your filter.
I have a question, after a backwash, how much DE power are you adding?
Click to expand...
I do have skimmer socks that I clean out every other day at least. I add 9 scoops of DE after backwashing. I think that's generally correct for my filter size?
 

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Cindypantz said:
I do have skimmer socks that I clean out every other day at least. I add 9 scoops of DE after backwashing. I think that's generally correct for my filter size?
Click to expand...
Cindypantz said:
I do have skimmer socks that I clean out every other day at least. I add 9 scoops of DE after backwashing. I think that's generally correct for my filter size?
Click to expand...
 
So check this out Cindy, first, we may be sneaking up on this. A Hayward DE4820 ( this is the one i have) recommended DE is 6.0 lbs. AFTER BROKEN DOWN AND TOTALLY CLEANED. Now when you backwash ALL THE DE power is NOT REMOVED>...so the filter should be recharged with about 3.0 lbs. yes about one half of a FULL amount. Lets see if this could be your flow issue ( plaster dust/ excessive de? Good luck
 

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jsygrls said:
So check this out Cindy, first, we may be sneaking up on this. A Hayward DE4820 ( this is the one i have) recommended DE is 6.0 lbs. AFTER BROKEN DOWN AND TOTALLY CLEANED. Now when you backwash ALL THE DE power is NOT REMOVED>...so the filter should be recharged with about 3.0 lbs. yes about one half of a FULL amount. Lets see if this could be your flow issue ( plaster dust/ excessive de? Good luck
Click to expand...
Hmmmmm. This could be the case? Unfortunately I just dumped the 9 scoops in after I backwashed this morning. Backwash again and see if there's any improvement? It does seem like the circulation has improved, but the 2 return jets are still not doing anything.
 
If your PSI gauge is accurate, (which is key to plaster dust/psi pressure/backwashing) the next to do after another back wash (recharge with 3lbs) check flow, recheck valve positions, post equipment pad photos so the TFP community can evaluated.
 
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