Pool vaccuming and low filter pressure?

[summer211]

Hi everyone. I am looking for advice. We are new home owners and have a pool that has the DE filter. First we were having problems with the pressure when the filter was on but we had someone clean the entire inside of the filter and we backwased it and it worked fine...

Now weeks later, we the filter seems to be working fine on its own. However, when we hook the vaccum up the filter pressure goes to zero or just above zero. Its strange because the hose is suctioning on to the basket but the filter makes a strange noise once you hook the vaccum in and then the pressure drops down to zero and no dirt come up at all. We have tried to backwash it but it does not help. the filter works fine as long as we dont hook the vaccum up,, if we do the pressure drops?

Any advice? Thanks

 

[JohnT]

You need to fill the hose with water before connecting it. Either submerged it slowly or hold one end over a return until it quits bubbling.

 

[summer211]

reply

we do fill the hose with water... the connection and suction is fine... its just the pressure of the filter goes down?

 

[JasonLion]

An air leak in the vacuum hose could also cause this problem even if you fill the hose with water first.

 

[summer211]

re: air leak?

how do you find out if there is an air leak in the hose ?

 

[JohnT]

Re: reply

we do fill the hose with water... the connection and suction is fine... its just the pressure of the filter goes down?

You might also make sure the swivel end of the hose is on the vacuum head, and not the skimmer. The swivel end isn't air tight.

 

[JasonLion]

To test the hose for air leaks: start with a dry hose out of the pool, hold the two ends up and fill the hose with water (being careful to not overflow), then look for water leaks. You can lower one end at a time to check for leaks near the fixed end(s), since it is simpler if you don't fill it up completely. As JohnT said, expect the swivel end, if you have one, to leak a little around the swivel joint (which doesn't mater as that end will be underwater in use).