OK, so like a big dummy noob, I got home yesterday and decided to backwash my sand filter and first turned off the pump without shutting any valves...
So... When I started everything back up to backwash, I lost the prime. I do know (from the pool inspection done during the purchase of the house last month) that there is a problem with my suction lines "sucking air" and I need a bit of repair done there...
BUT... After priming, and priming, and priming, and priming... My pump is STILL not pulling water. It will sometimes start filling up the bowl, but then everything goes to nothing... Maybe a drizzle of water coming through, but certainly not what it should be.
So two questions...
1. What is the PROPER way to shut off a pump in order to backwash the filter? What valves should be closed/open before shutting off the power and then the same for turning on the power?
2. What am I doing wrong that is keeping me from priming my pump?
I had this same problem last week and FINALLY got it going after about 20 attempts, but last night it just would NOT take off...
Here's how I've been trying to prime:
Skimmer valve and main drain valve closed.
Pressure releif valve open.
Main return open - secondary closed.
Fill the pump bowl with water.
Close pump bolw lid.
Turn on pump.
Open skimmer or main drain valve (usually skimmer) but NOT both.
When only water is coming out, close relief valve.
Stand back and watch the water flow through the bowl for a few seconds then die. :grrrr:
My suction valves are about 40 ft from the source (ball type that will be replaced soon) and the skimmer is about 4 ft below them, so the main drain would be about 12 ft? Maybe my pump is not big enough? When it is running, it runs fine except for some air due to the afore mentioned system leaks.
Side note: I'm learning a LOT from this site... VERY informative!!! You guys ROCK!!!!
So... When I started everything back up to backwash, I lost the prime. I do know (from the pool inspection done during the purchase of the house last month) that there is a problem with my suction lines "sucking air" and I need a bit of repair done there...
BUT... After priming, and priming, and priming, and priming... My pump is STILL not pulling water. It will sometimes start filling up the bowl, but then everything goes to nothing... Maybe a drizzle of water coming through, but certainly not what it should be.
So two questions...
1. What is the PROPER way to shut off a pump in order to backwash the filter? What valves should be closed/open before shutting off the power and then the same for turning on the power?
2. What am I doing wrong that is keeping me from priming my pump?
I had this same problem last week and FINALLY got it going after about 20 attempts, but last night it just would NOT take off...
Here's how I've been trying to prime:
Skimmer valve and main drain valve closed.
Pressure releif valve open.
Main return open - secondary closed.
Fill the pump bowl with water.
Close pump bolw lid.
Turn on pump.
Open skimmer or main drain valve (usually skimmer) but NOT both.
When only water is coming out, close relief valve.
Stand back and watch the water flow through the bowl for a few seconds then die. :grrrr:
My suction valves are about 40 ft from the source (ball type that will be replaced soon) and the skimmer is about 4 ft below them, so the main drain would be about 12 ft? Maybe my pump is not big enough? When it is running, it runs fine except for some air due to the afore mentioned system leaks.
Side note: I'm learning a LOT from this site... VERY informative!!! You guys ROCK!!!!