Help - leaf-tastrophe!

[MLock]

We've been in a heatwave here in Indianapolis and two of my trees behind the pool are shedding leaves like it is mid-October. I've been cleaning my skimmer basket twice a day, and my trap basket every other day. But today I got home and my skimmer basket blew out the side due to so many leaves while I was at work.

I shut down the system (it sounded funny), cleaned out the skimmer, and went to the trap -- it was completely packed with leaves and had also cracked. Cleaned it out, stuck my hand toward the impeller as far as I could go, and cleaned out some more leaves. This is not good.

Replaced both baskets, but now the pressure on my filter (250sq ft sta-rite cartridge) is about 4psi, where before it was 15psi with a clean filter (higher with some dirt).

Any thoughts on what it could be? I'm running off the skimmer or main drain with same results. Is the motor bad now? Is the piping under the pool filled with leaves? What can I do?

I'm new... probably obviously.

 

[bobodaclown]

You may have to take the pump apart and clean/inspect the impeller.

 

[257WbyMag]

You might have a suction side obstruction due to leaves making their way through the cracked basket.

 

[MLock]

You might have a suction side obstruction due to leaves making their way through the cracked basket.

So -- how can I fix that? No idea what to do...

 

[257WbyMag]

I have seen folks report good sucess by using a Drain King in an attempt to clear the clog by forcing it back out through the skimmer.

 

[lightingguy]

You can try sending a piece of ice down your pipes. If it doesn't make it to the pump basket you know the problem is inside the pipes and not the pump.

 

[MLock]

You can try sending a piece of ice down your pipes. If it doesn't make it to the pump basket you know the problem is inside the pipes and not the pump.

Water is currently 92 degrees... I'm not sure the ice would make it anyway! Could I use something different?

 

[lightingguy]

No! The point of the ice is it will melt if it gets stuck and not create a larger problem

Throw an ice cube in your pool. My guess is it lasts at least 5 minutes.

 

[MLock]

Ice doesn't make it.

However, ice is already 1/2 it's original size within 3 seconds of being in skimmer, before it gets "taken".

 

[MLock]

Leaves in impeller. Tore apart motor and pump, needle-nosed the leaves out, put it back together (quite an experience for a guy who barely changes light bulbs), and everything is back to normal sound and normal pressure. Whew.