First, let me say I love this forum as it has gotten my pool sparkling clean using the BBB method. Well that was until I started experiencing problems with my hayward de 4820 filter and a possibly clogged main drain. My setup includes a caretaker 99 system, skimmer, and two main drains, and the de filter. The plumbing includes a jandy valve that either runs the caretaker system or returns water to the pool through the bubble eyes. I do not have a main drain only option, when I try to plug the skimmer to pull the water through the main drain the pump just runs dry which is why I think I have a clogged main drain but do not know if this would work or not.
I have noticed that I have DE in the pool and that it seems that everything (small leaves, leftover broke down solar cover pieces) is being pushed back into the pool, the filter screen on top of the caretaker constantly gets clogged (like every 10 minutes)
I recently backwashed and disassembled and cleaned the de filter. I did notice that one of the filter elements had a hole in the bottom where it plugs into the manifold. I have read on this forum that could be part of the failure mechanism. I know I need to replace the filter element. I have recently replaced the o-ring on the tube that the cartridge assembly plugs into. Is there anything else I should look for while I have it torn apart? Additionally, I did just dump in the DE through the skimmer this last time instead of diluting like I have done in the past and have read on here that might be a problem.
So now to the main drain. I have a clog buster and have tried every combination of skimmer holes (2) and inlet to unclog. I have not dove down to remove the drain cover to try and push it back towards the pump. I have tried plugging the air return/over flow hole in the skimmer and using the clog buster in the other skimmer hole with both the pump cover on and off. And tried plugging the main skimmer line and using the clog buster in the air/return/overflow hole with both the pump cover on and off. I have run out of combinations without diving into the pool and trying to remove the cover. Any other suggestions?
As always, thanks for the help
I have noticed that I have DE in the pool and that it seems that everything (small leaves, leftover broke down solar cover pieces) is being pushed back into the pool, the filter screen on top of the caretaker constantly gets clogged (like every 10 minutes)
I recently backwashed and disassembled and cleaned the de filter. I did notice that one of the filter elements had a hole in the bottom where it plugs into the manifold. I have read on this forum that could be part of the failure mechanism. I know I need to replace the filter element. I have recently replaced the o-ring on the tube that the cartridge assembly plugs into. Is there anything else I should look for while I have it torn apart? Additionally, I did just dump in the DE through the skimmer this last time instead of diluting like I have done in the past and have read on here that might be a problem.
So now to the main drain. I have a clog buster and have tried every combination of skimmer holes (2) and inlet to unclog. I have not dove down to remove the drain cover to try and push it back towards the pump. I have tried plugging the air return/over flow hole in the skimmer and using the clog buster in the other skimmer hole with both the pump cover on and off. And tried plugging the main skimmer line and using the clog buster in the air/return/overflow hole with both the pump cover on and off. I have run out of combinations without diving into the pool and trying to remove the cover. Any other suggestions?
As always, thanks for the help