Hello All,
Please forgive the long message. Been trying to figure out what to do next and thought making a history log would be my best way to retrace my steps and decide what to do next.
Approx 3 weeks ago, after a heavy rain, my pump failed to keep prime. Previously had kept and restored prime for approx 3 months. In prior year, we did vacuum too much debris into the line and lost prime. Cleared it and restored prime this spring. Had run it 24/hrs a day without issue.
After this storm, the symptom was that the pump housing would not fill, instead leaving me with 50/50 air water. Good water levels in the pool, as water was at approx 3/4 height of the skimmer. There is no drain in the pool, so this skimmer is only exit from the pool.
I have done the following, in roughly this order:
1) First debug was to replace the pressure gauge. No change in behavior.
2) Replaced pump housing gasket and re-lubed. No change.
3) Replaced sand in the Hayward sand filter. Was due anyway, but no change in priming.
4) Replaced Hayward 1HP SuperPump with a new Hayward 1.65 HP SuperPump.
5) Successfully blew water from pump to skimmer using wet/dry vac. 1.5" PVC flex pipe.
6) Successfully blew water from skimmer to pump using wet/dry vac.
7) Able to snake approx 17 ft from pump side towards the skimmer - then hard stop.
8) Able to snake <2ft from skimmer towards pump - then hard stop.
9) Re-lubed the new pump's housing gasket.
I see/feel/detect no airleak on the suction side. I am confused by the fact that the line passes water both ways, but can not be snaked by a simple toilet snake.
When I prime the pump, it runs at high speed for 8 minutes, and then drops down to a lower speed. Even if I raise the minimum speed to the pump max (3450 rpm), I see no difference in the rate of water coming into the pump, although I do get more flow back into the pool.
The skimmer is submerged into the ground, and plumbing connections are not accessible. Below ground and behind a wood frame used by the decking. Getting to that plumbing for examination (why can't I snake it?) would be a labor intensive pain in my Rear.
I have tried to include photos as well for reference.
I have had 3 different pool companies look at this situation over time (last fall, spring, and 2 weeks ago). None of them could diagnose a reason, but at least the first two cleared the line and got me back to prime. The third one looked at my prior pump and said he did not want to take it apart so he would not work on the issue. I have called two more and they do not have the manpower for a service call.
So, what would you do next? Any help or suggestions are appreciated.
Please forgive the long message. Been trying to figure out what to do next and thought making a history log would be my best way to retrace my steps and decide what to do next.
Approx 3 weeks ago, after a heavy rain, my pump failed to keep prime. Previously had kept and restored prime for approx 3 months. In prior year, we did vacuum too much debris into the line and lost prime. Cleared it and restored prime this spring. Had run it 24/hrs a day without issue.
After this storm, the symptom was that the pump housing would not fill, instead leaving me with 50/50 air water. Good water levels in the pool, as water was at approx 3/4 height of the skimmer. There is no drain in the pool, so this skimmer is only exit from the pool.
I have done the following, in roughly this order:
1) First debug was to replace the pressure gauge. No change in behavior.
2) Replaced pump housing gasket and re-lubed. No change.
3) Replaced sand in the Hayward sand filter. Was due anyway, but no change in priming.
4) Replaced Hayward 1HP SuperPump with a new Hayward 1.65 HP SuperPump.
5) Successfully blew water from pump to skimmer using wet/dry vac. 1.5" PVC flex pipe.
6) Successfully blew water from skimmer to pump using wet/dry vac.
7) Able to snake approx 17 ft from pump side towards the skimmer - then hard stop.
8) Able to snake <2ft from skimmer towards pump - then hard stop.
9) Re-lubed the new pump's housing gasket.
I see/feel/detect no airleak on the suction side. I am confused by the fact that the line passes water both ways, but can not be snaked by a simple toilet snake.
When I prime the pump, it runs at high speed for 8 minutes, and then drops down to a lower speed. Even if I raise the minimum speed to the pump max (3450 rpm), I see no difference in the rate of water coming into the pump, although I do get more flow back into the pool.
The skimmer is submerged into the ground, and plumbing connections are not accessible. Below ground and behind a wood frame used by the decking. Getting to that plumbing for examination (why can't I snake it?) would be a labor intensive pain in my Rear.
I have tried to include photos as well for reference.
I have had 3 different pool companies look at this situation over time (last fall, spring, and 2 weeks ago). None of them could diagnose a reason, but at least the first two cleared the line and got me back to prime. The third one looked at my prior pump and said he did not want to take it apart so he would not work on the issue. I have called two more and they do not have the manpower for a service call.
So, what would you do next? Any help or suggestions are appreciated.
