Hi guys! I'm new to TFP and to pool maintenance in general (as evidenced by the following chain of events).
I started caring for my beautiful new (new to me, just bought the house, pool was installed in 2002) pool last week and already have had a ton of fun learning from my mistakes and from the internet. I'll try to be as clear and concise as possible and give all the information I have. My test kit is coming in the mail today, so unfortunately, I don't have updated chemical levels yet.
Last Wednesday, I took my water to Leslie's and came home with this:
FAC 5
TAC 5
CH 200
CYA 99
TA 100
pH 7.4
Pho 300
They recommended I add 3 capfuls for PhosFree, told me how much DE to use after I backwash, and sent me on my way. (I have since learned from this forum that phosphates are generally not an issue that needs to be addressed)
I got home, added my PhosFree and backwashed my filter. This is where it gets fun. I turned the backwash valve, pulled up, then turned again (I believe this last turn was my mistake). I turned the pump on and water started coming out of a seal in the backwash line. I got nervous after about 30 seconds, switched off the pump, and put the backwash valve back in the starting position.
I added a bit less than the recommended amount of DE since I didn't backwash for long. I stood up from the skimmer and the entire pool had a cloud of white DE everywhere. YAY!
Since then, I have sealed the leak in the backwash line that was causing air to get into the pump and have vacuumed every day. It wasn't helping, so I went to Leslie's and they recommended SuperFloc. I used that, let it sit for 1.5 days, vacuumed, and I still have DE everywhere.
There is no air getting into the system anymore, so my best guess is that I damaged the filter somehow. I'm dreading taking the whole thing apart, but that's all I can think to do.
The backwash valve sticks really badly, could that be causing an issue?
Oh yeah... we were planning on having our first pool party in our new house... this Sunday. Joy.
I started caring for my beautiful new (new to me, just bought the house, pool was installed in 2002) pool last week and already have had a ton of fun learning from my mistakes and from the internet. I'll try to be as clear and concise as possible and give all the information I have. My test kit is coming in the mail today, so unfortunately, I don't have updated chemical levels yet.
Last Wednesday, I took my water to Leslie's and came home with this:
FAC 5
TAC 5
CH 200
CYA 99
TA 100
pH 7.4
Pho 300
They recommended I add 3 capfuls for PhosFree, told me how much DE to use after I backwash, and sent me on my way. (I have since learned from this forum that phosphates are generally not an issue that needs to be addressed)
I got home, added my PhosFree and backwashed my filter. This is where it gets fun. I turned the backwash valve, pulled up, then turned again (I believe this last turn was my mistake). I turned the pump on and water started coming out of a seal in the backwash line. I got nervous after about 30 seconds, switched off the pump, and put the backwash valve back in the starting position.
I added a bit less than the recommended amount of DE since I didn't backwash for long. I stood up from the skimmer and the entire pool had a cloud of white DE everywhere. YAY!
Since then, I have sealed the leak in the backwash line that was causing air to get into the pump and have vacuumed every day. It wasn't helping, so I went to Leslie's and they recommended SuperFloc. I used that, let it sit for 1.5 days, vacuumed, and I still have DE everywhere.
There is no air getting into the system anymore, so my best guess is that I damaged the filter somehow. I'm dreading taking the whole thing apart, but that's all I can think to do.
The backwash valve sticks really badly, could that be causing an issue?
Oh yeah... we were planning on having our first pool party in our new house... this Sunday. Joy.
Welcome to TFP!!!