How can I tell water is going through pump? Also, how to clean pump basket?

cta2015 · May 30, 2015

While my pump is on and I'm looking at the pump basket, should it almost look empty / like there's no water because it's circulating water without any air? I recently had the pool running below the skimmer line, but I've since filled my pool and have had the pump on, but just wanted to make sure it's actually circulating water. Right now, it looks like it's "empty"

Also, I've searched online that you need to close main and skimmer drain valve before cleaning out the pump basket? I was wondering what is the reason for this and if it is necessary to? And how can I find these valves?

Thanks!

Azgirl71 · May 30, 2015

Is there water coming from the return jet?

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You can get plunger valves from Intex when they are in stock

Plunger Valve (Include 5f-11 And 06nf-05) - Intex

or you can build your own. There are threads on here to build you owns us use the search box.

cta2015 · May 30, 2015

Azgirl71 said:
Is there water coming from the return jet?

I just shocked a very green pool, but looking at it one end I do see some water returning, not sure how strong it should be.

Azgirl71 · May 30, 2015

It should be fairly strong. When was the last time you backwashed your filter?

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If it is reall slow you should back wash.

cta2015 · May 30, 2015

Azgirl71 said:
It should be fairly strong. When was the last time you backwashed your filter?

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If it is reall slow you should back wash.

Back washed last night and just now. Not sure if it's because water is cloudy but not seeing any water returning.

Azgirl71 · May 30, 2015

Can you put your hand in front of the return jet to feel the pressure.

Richard320 · May 30, 2015

Look at the pressure gauge on the filter. With pump off, it should show zero. If it doesn't, you have a bad gauge. With pump on, you should see it go up. If it does, the pump is working. The return flow should feel like a garden hose open halfway.

cta2015 · May 30, 2015

Azgirl71 said:
Can you put your hand in front of the return jet to feel the pressure.

Yup, just did that and it worked. Thanks for your help!

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Richard320 said:
Look at the pressure gauge on the filter. With pump off, it should show zero. If it doesn't, you have a bad gauge. With pump on, you should see it go up. If it does, the pump is working. The return flow should feel like a garden hose open halfway.

Thanks! Yes, the pressure gauge does go to 0 when I turn the pump off. However, the pressure gauge has been around 3-5 psi. I bought a new gauge but haven't been able to install it because the previous owner seems to have glued around where I would twist off the gauge. If the pressure gauge isn't broken then I don't want to go out and replace it if I don't have to. What do you think?

Richard320 · May 30, 2015

cta2015 said:
Yup, just did that and it worked. Thanks for your help!

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Thanks! Yes, the pressure gauge does go to 0 when I turn the pump off. However, the pressure gauge has been around 3-5 psi. I bought a new gauge but haven't been able to install it because the previous owner seems to have glued around where I would twist off the gauge. If the pressure gauge isn't broken then I don't want to go out and replace it if I don't have to. What do you think?

Big filter and small pump could easily have your pressure that low. Watch it. As the season progresses, it should slowly start to rise. The glue could be pipe dope, that's sort of off-white.