Low psi, pump basket not filling, waterfall not flowing 100%

Jump to latest Follow Reply
CFWilliams

CFWilliams

Well-known member
Jul 13, 2020
66
Charlotte, NC
Hi all! I had a leak in a pipe that was repaired yesterday. He replaced the entire section and the leak is gone. Now though, my filter basket isn’t filling up and the pump psi thing on the filter is at like a 4. I cleaned all the skimmer baskets and made sure the pump basket is sealed tight. What else should I check? Also, when I did go to unscrew the top to empty the filter basket, th water drained really fast and made a loud noise like it was sucking in a bunch of air. It doesn’t usually do that. Any suggestions?
 
CFWilliams said:
Hi all! I had a leak in a pipe that was repaired yesterday. He replaced the entire section and the leak is gone. Now though, my filter basket isn’t filling up and the pump psi thing on the filter is at like a 4. I cleaned all the skimmer baskets and made sure the pump basket is sealed tight. What else should I check? Also, when I did go to unscrew the top to empty the filter basket, th water drained really fast and made a loud noise like it was sucking in a bunch of air. It doesn’t usually do that. Any suggestions?
Click to expand...
What is the pump RPM? Is the pump on full speed?
 
Did you do the repair? If not, why did repairman not test the work?

Was the repair done on the suction side or pressure side of the pump? Post some picture of the pad and repairs.

When was the last time you cleaned the filter?
 
Sorry for delay. I just had a chance to go back there. I think something with gravity is going on? He removed two pipes and replaced with one. This morning when the pump was on, the spa started to drain when it’s supposed to overflow. I attached I picture of the before set up (where the leak was) and the after shot. And the spa while the pump was running. The spa ALWAYS overflows when the pump is on. I used to hate it but it’s been my tip off that something is wrong every time ha. Does he just need to come back and replace w
 

Attachments

  • IMG_6352.jpeg
    IMG_6352.jpeg
    898.6 KB · Views: 23
  • IMG_6353.jpeg
    IMG_6353.jpeg
    779.3 KB · Views: 20
The latest picture shows suction is from both skimmers and the main drain. The spa suction is closed off.
The return is to the pool side but also the spa valve (on the pool return side) is open so flow should be going to both pool and spa.
Not sure if this is before or after repair photo.
Based on what is shown - the spa should be in overflow mode.
 
For some reason the image of the original plumbing won’t upload. This one is from a long time ago and a different angel but you can there was another pipe below the return line. Disregard the red circle. That’s from an earlier repair. Do you think the two pipes to one pipe is the problem?
 

Attachments

  • IMG_1755.jpeg
    IMG_1755.jpeg
    647.2 KB · Views: 13
That appears to be a Venturi of some sorts that controls flow to the spa for your spill over.
I have never seen that but others may know - @Jimrahbe or @PoolStored

The mechanical valve on the new set up (first picture you posted) shows that most of flow is going to pool returns and also some to the spillover. It may take longer for the spa to reach the lip to spillover but since there is no suction from the spa, the spa should fill then spillover to the pool.
Have you tried adjusting that mechanical valve to open or close more flow to the spa spill over?

My spa spillover was just a single jet into the spa (which was separate from the spa jets) so it did take longer to raise the water. Does water flow from a single jet when in this mode?
 

Enjoying this content?

Support TFP with a donation.

Give Support
Lots of good questions. I don’t have any of those answers. I haven’t tried manually turning anything. I didn’t thing there was anything manual back there. I may try calling the original installer company so they can explain what exactly the tech replaced. The spa is never ever as low as it is right now. It always stays right below the lip so the spillover happens almost immediately when the pump turns on.
 
Ok I googled “Venturi system” and it brought up the ozone sanitation thing which looks very similar to that original image. We definitely used to have that but it was removed when we switched to a SWG. Ok so do we think I just need to adjust the flow to the spa? I don’t know how to do that.
 
CFWilliams said:
Ok so do we think I just need to adjust the flow to the spa? I don’t know how to do that.
Click to expand...
It is best to try it.
First - my assumption is that the pipe with the black check valve is the SPA RETURN. The photo is not able to reading the wording completely.

There is a valve that is just before the pipe that was replaced. It is showing to be partial closed to the flow going to that new pipe which leads to the pool. There is a small thumb screw on top. Turn it counterclockwise to loose it. That then allows the handle to be turned either direction. The handle has the word CLOSED on it. When that faces a pipe, then that pipe is closed. So slowly rotate it while the pump is running. It should rotate 180 degrees from one pipe to the other side.
You need to have some one put there hand on the jets in pool and in the spa to see what is flowing now (in current position) then as you rotate the valve, one should have more flow and the other less flow.
 
CF,

Your new set up looks just fine to me...

You never did answer... What speed is the pump running??? What is your filter pressure?

I do not see where the tech did anything wrong..

I suspect that your filter is dirty and/or your pump is running way too slowly.

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
  • Like
Reactions: HermanTX
Jim- sorry for missing your other questions! I have a variable speed pump so I dont set it to a certian speed BUT I have been monkeying around iwth the handheld aqua link says 1750 RPM. Filter pressure is between 2-7. It gets up to ten when I turn it off and then back on. It looks like the water is running slower than usual. Like something is blocking water somewhere. I did have a bunch of gunk in my skimmer basket and the basket was askew a few days ago. I'm about to go clean the filter cartridges but I don't know how to look at the impeller. someone suggested I do that too.

also- I did try turning the valve all different ways but it doesnt seem to make a difference. after a few minutes, the spill over feature just slows to a trickle
 
CF,

You have a heater, so I would think that 1750 is about as slow as you could run..

Before going crazy, I would recommend that you clean your filter cartridges and see what happens.. If that does not fix the problem, then we can start looking at the odd stuff..

While you are cleaning your filter, take out the salt cell and inspect it to see if it is full of calcium or anything else.

You can't easily see your pump impeller, but with the power off, you can usually reach up inside the pump basket and feel it.. There should not be any debris in there, and you should be able to turn it..

Please let us know what you find.

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
CFWilliams said:
Jim- sorry for missing your other questions! I have a variable speed pump so I dont set it to a certian speed BUT I have been monkeying around iwth the handheld aqua link says 1750 RPM. Filter pressure is between 2-7. It gets up to ten when I turn it off and then back on. It looks like the water is running slower than usual. Like something is blocking water somewhere. I did have a bunch of gunk in my skimmer basket and the basket was askew a few days ago. I'm about to go clean the filter cartridges but I don't know how to look at the impeller. someone suggested I do that too.

also- I did try turning the valve all different ways but it doesnt seem to make a difference. after a few minutes, the spill over feature just slows to a trickle
Click to expand...
I have a 3HP Pentair VS pump and run it at 1650 rpm which activated the SWCG flow switch. I also have a heater. At that speed, my spa was just a dribble over and into the pool. However, my spa was level to pool - not elevated. So that was fine for me as it did not create a lot of aeration that would raise pH. My filter pressure is 7psi at this flow rate. My flow out the pool jets was fine. that is the more important part.

If you want a substantial flow into the pool from the spa then you are probably going to have to be at 2200rpm or higher. You will just need to play with it.
 
Jimrahbe said:
CF,

You have a heater, so I would think that 1750 is about as slow as you could run..

Before going crazy, I would recommend that you clean your filter cartridges and see what happens.. If that does not fix the problem, then we can start looking at the odd stuff..

While you are cleaning your filter, take out the salt cell and inspect it to see if it is full of calcium or anything else.

You can't easily see your pump impeller, but with the power off, you can usually reach up inside the pump basket and feel it.. There should not be any debris in there, and you should be able to turn it..

Please let us know what you find.

Thanks,

Jim R.
Click to expand...
will do! hoping to get to the cartridge cleaning today. thanks in advance for everyone's help. I will report back
 
CFWilliams said:
hoping to get to the cartridge cleaning today.
Click to expand...
Pay close attention at first. Either for this time, or just filed away into good knowledge to have, short filter cycles almost always point to algae. So if it seems better after cleaning but trails off quickly,
Overnight Chlorine Loss Test

Many times wonky flow issues from algae get overlooked with clear water. But if you pass an OCLT, then we know we have time to fiddle with whatever else it may be. :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jimrahbe
Ok team- cleaned the filters and checked the impeller. The filters were filthy, so I was hopeful that was the problem but no dice. I think something is going on with a valve. Here are two new things I noticed after turning the pump on after cleaning the filters:
1. It took a really long time for water to start filling the pump basket- maybe 1-2 minutes. It usually starts filling immediately and really fast. I know you’re not supposed to run the pump dry so that was concerning. It just sort of glugged for a while and then a couple minutes later the water filled the basket.

2. The spa drained. The spa never drains when the pump is on. It’s supposed to overflow.

3. It didnt look like any water was going to the spa returns when the pump was on. I don’t know if it’s supposed to do that or not. The valve DID automatically turn and let water flow to the spa returns when I put it in spa mode.

Should there be water flowing through the spa returns when it’s in pool mode? I can’t remember from last year. But if it did and now it’s not then seems like that would explain why the spillover is puny bc there’s less water being pumped into the spa. Here’s a picture I took today. I don’t really know what I’m looking for
 

Attachments

  • IMG_6389.jpeg
    IMG_6389.jpeg
    640.7 KB · Views: 4

Enjoying this content?

Support TFP with a donation.

Give Support
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back
Jump to latest Follow Reply