There are two ball valves on the plumbing. One is between the skimmer and the pump and the other is between the return and the pump.
Two days ago I needed to check the inline chlorinator, see if it needed to be refilled. I turned off both valves because if I don't, the chlorinator overflows. Checked, screwed the lid back on, walked away.
Forgot to open the valves!
The pump is on a timer and runs at night and the pool is a considerable distance from the house. If the pump complained nobody would hear it.
Yesterday afternoon we got in the pool. I thought there was an unusual amount of fine debris floating on the surface, more than usual, but oh well. Then I noticed the PoolSkim wasn't working and the weir wasn't, either. Hm, I thought, what's up with that? I did turn on the pump on the timer override before we got in the pool.
Checked the switch at the pump. Yes, it's on. But the pump was silent.
Then I saw the two ball valves in the OFF position.
You know that feeling when your gut clenches, your hands tingle and the hair on your arms stands up? That sensation caused by a burst of adrenaline shooting through your system and you go, Oh %$#*&^?!
My husband leaned over the side of the pool. "Everything ok there?" he wanted to know.
"Oh sure", I said, "no problem."
Ya, right!
Set the pump switch to the OFF position. Turned the valves back to ON. Said a prayer to the pump gods. Turned the pump back on. And it RAN!!!!!!
"The PoolSkim is working again," said my husband. "You're good!"
I didn't mention to him that I had nearly wet my pants in anticipation of having to explain that we need to buy a new pump the day before we're leaving on vacation. That would not have gone over well at all.
I wonder why that pump didn't burn out. I wonder what I can do to remind myself to open the valves, a rubber band around my thumb, maybe? I wonder why I got so lucky.
Happy Sunday, all!
Two days ago I needed to check the inline chlorinator, see if it needed to be refilled. I turned off both valves because if I don't, the chlorinator overflows. Checked, screwed the lid back on, walked away.
Forgot to open the valves!
The pump is on a timer and runs at night and the pool is a considerable distance from the house. If the pump complained nobody would hear it.
Yesterday afternoon we got in the pool. I thought there was an unusual amount of fine debris floating on the surface, more than usual, but oh well. Then I noticed the PoolSkim wasn't working and the weir wasn't, either. Hm, I thought, what's up with that? I did turn on the pump on the timer override before we got in the pool.
Checked the switch at the pump. Yes, it's on. But the pump was silent.
Then I saw the two ball valves in the OFF position.
You know that feeling when your gut clenches, your hands tingle and the hair on your arms stands up? That sensation caused by a burst of adrenaline shooting through your system and you go, Oh %$#*&^?!
My husband leaned over the side of the pool. "Everything ok there?" he wanted to know.
"Oh sure", I said, "no problem."
Ya, right!
Set the pump switch to the OFF position. Turned the valves back to ON. Said a prayer to the pump gods. Turned the pump back on. And it RAN!!!!!!
"The PoolSkim is working again," said my husband. "You're good!"
I didn't mention to him that I had nearly wet my pants in anticipation of having to explain that we need to buy a new pump the day before we're leaving on vacation. That would not have gone over well at all.
I wonder why that pump didn't burn out. I wonder what I can do to remind myself to open the valves, a rubber band around my thumb, maybe? I wonder why I got so lucky.
Happy Sunday, all!