Hello,
Purchased a new home back in January and now getting to learn some pool basics. The house has a ~15000 Gal pool built in the 70's with some recent update work by the old owners. Other than that, I know nothing other than what I can troubleshoot/decipher.
1. The skimmer has two holes that were winter plugged. Only one of the holes drew suction from the pump (furthest away). The pool also has a port (plugged) about 3ft away from the skimmer in the pool wall, maybe 12-18" down. If I remove this plug, suction is strong from this port. What is the purpose of this port, vacuum cleaner attachment point? Should I leave plugged or unplugged? Pic:
View attachment 60294
2. The pump only draws strong suction for about 10-15 minutes before it goes down to a trickle. It is several feet below the pool so it fills (primes) easily. I hear alot of racket (cavitation?) from the top of the sand filter unit. I've tried venting the port at the top of the filter but to now effect. If I turn off the pump and back on, it runs strong again for 10-15minutes before going back down to a trickle of flow.
The only pressure gage is downline from the filter (useless?) and never reads more than ~1psi. I would think this will always be minimal unless there becomes some kind of blockage at the return.
View attachment 60295
Port at top of sand filter I keep trying to vent
View attachment 60296
Pressure gage location on return
Purchased a new home back in January and now getting to learn some pool basics. The house has a ~15000 Gal pool built in the 70's with some recent update work by the old owners. Other than that, I know nothing other than what I can troubleshoot/decipher.
1. The skimmer has two holes that were winter plugged. Only one of the holes drew suction from the pump (furthest away). The pool also has a port (plugged) about 3ft away from the skimmer in the pool wall, maybe 12-18" down. If I remove this plug, suction is strong from this port. What is the purpose of this port, vacuum cleaner attachment point? Should I leave plugged or unplugged? Pic:
View attachment 60294
2. The pump only draws strong suction for about 10-15 minutes before it goes down to a trickle. It is several feet below the pool so it fills (primes) easily. I hear alot of racket (cavitation?) from the top of the sand filter unit. I've tried venting the port at the top of the filter but to now effect. If I turn off the pump and back on, it runs strong again for 10-15minutes before going back down to a trickle of flow.
The only pressure gage is downline from the filter (useless?) and never reads more than ~1psi. I would think this will always be minimal unless there becomes some kind of blockage at the return.
View attachment 60295
Port at top of sand filter I keep trying to vent
View attachment 60296
Pressure gage location on return