trishalinn said:
Alright, I am at a loss and don't know what to do. Since the last time I posted we were able to get the PSI up to 10 using the drain king. BUT, it's since then also fallen recently back down to 4-5ish. We've been using the drain king but it doesn't seem to be helping. Is there ANYTHING else we can do to get our pipes cleared out?
Alice- I'd try what you were suggesting but I don't know whether or not I can with my system. How can I tell whether or not I have a multi-valve? I'm a new pool owner and feel so clueless.
Look at this in Pool School Visual Encyclopedia to see pictures of various equipment. Valves are down toward bottom of page.
http://www.troublefreepool.com/pool-school/visual_encyclopedia
A multi-valve will be attached to the pipes coming in and out of the filter, if side mount and on top of the filter, if top mount. It will have a handle that you push down a bit to move it out of notches, and four positions or more. At the very least it will be labeled "filter", "backwash", and others such as, "off" or "closed", "rinse" "winter", "waste", "recirculate". You usually see them mostly with DE and Sand Filters. Since I've had one, for a few months I think I would install one even if I used a cartridge filter. Many Sand and DE filters, though, use a push/pull valve. Some, though probably rare, don't have any valve at the filter.
This is the valve you NEVER change positions on unless the pump(s) are off.
The 2-way and 3-way Jandy type valves are smaller, about 4" in diameter and usually are not very near the filter. They are used for sending water to either one or two pipes, or both, from one pipe (3-way), or opening or closing, or regulating flow of one pipe (2-way). There are other valves for simple on/off operation.
I forget.... is your clog in the skimmer? That would make it easier to use a hose on one end for a bit then use another hose on the other end to reverse the flow. Small sticks, mixed with decaying matter, mixed with silt/dust can be difficult to remove and might take many attempts. It took me a whole summer to get my bottom drain totally cleared. But I couldn't do it from both ends like you can with a skimmer. Mine had some small rocks too. Eventually, over time they dissolved some. (Our limestone rocks are like that here.)
gg=alice