Air Leak or Undersized Filter

[LighthouseLBI]

I recently bought a house with an older inground pool. Air slowly accumulates in the pump strainer basket over 3-8 hours until there is virtually no flow coming from the pool jets and I get a low flow error from the pool heater. The DE filter pressure is a little high goes from 23 psi to about 30 psi less than 24 hours after backwashing. To keep the pool clean and circulating, 2 - 3 times a day I need to blow out the air from the system by setting to "recirculate" which blows out the air. (Backwash work too). Then I have decent flow from the pool jets for a few hours until the air accumulates again.

My pool service company first replaced the DE filter grids and manifold. That didn't work (Pressure levels are similar and still getting air in the pump strainer). Next replaced the pool pump.... that didn't work . Next, they think there is a suction side air leak. (water level is fine in the pool). They have tried to find an suction side air leak and can not find anything. Checked all of the valves, connections and lubed up all "o" rings. They now think there is an air leak "underground". I called another pool service company and they said my filter is VERY undersized for my pool and that is causing the high filter pressure and air getting into the pump strainer. I would rather replace the filter than rip up the landscaping to find an underground air leak, but I don't know if the Filter is the problem. Does anyone have experience with this? Can an undersized filter cause back pressure that would cause air to accumulate in the pump and loose flow to the pool jets? I appreciate any help. Thanks

 

[HermanTX]

What size and model is your current DE filter?
Clogged filters cause loss of flow but not loss of water in the pump basket.
Show a photo of your equipment pad set up.
BTW - Welcome to TFP

 

[HermanTX]

I had one other thought. How many skimmers do you have? Check the weir doors on each to ensure they are moving back and forth. If a weir door gets stuck it allows the skimmer to pull in air.

 

[DavidArmenB]

Air doesn’t appear out of nowhere. It has to come from somewhere. The filter being small/dirty should reduce flow, it should not create air from nothing.

 

[Jimrahbe]

LBI,

Let's forget about air in the pump basket for a minute..

The number one reason for the pressure in a DE filter to quickly go up, and for the water flow to go down, is algae. Even if you can't see it yet..

I don't think you have a mechanical problem, I think you have a chemical problem.

Show us your most recent test results..

What does your water look like? Is it clear, cloudy, or green?

Back to your air in the pump basket... What happens when you put your DE filter in the recirculate (by-pass) position?? Does the air go away?

Thanks,

Jim R.