Busted pipe, clay/ mud in pool

[nuke_twidget]

Recently I drove a T-Post right through one of my returns which has led to a multi-day repair in between my normal job. We've recently had a ton of rain and while the pipe was open, some of the muddy water found its way into the pool. The repairs are complete and now I need to get my pool back to normal and I'm really hoping the answer isn't to drain and fill entirely.

Since finishing the repair, I've ran my robot a few times to pick up the heavy sediment. I ran it again today after having everything sit for 24 hours and the robot was relatively clean. My plan was to just run the pumps and wash filters regularly, but after doing some reading here, it appears it's not that easy.

I know there needs to be a systematic approach to doing this, but I need a bit of guidance. What steps should I be taking to get this cleared up? If a manual vacuum is necessary, I'm assuming I need to change valve positions to enable suction from that location. I attached a photo of my current valving setup. Thanks in advance!

 

[HermanTX]

Your plumbing indicates you have a suction side cleaner. is that accurate? Is it hooked up? As noted, your robot only picked up some of the debris.

The Cleaner suction valve is currently closed. I would rotate both the skimmer lines to CLOSE. Open the cleaner line and see how your cleaner functions. The main drain would remain open. I would also recommend you brush your pool and run your pump 24/7 to continue filter the pool water and pick up the debris. Then clean your cartridge filter when the pressure rises 25% over the "clean" pressure for that pump speed. You will also need to ramp up the pump speed to operate the suction side cleaner.

If you do not have a suction side cleaner, then you can hook up a manual cleaner to that same port or to the skimmer.
Also, provide a picture of the pool and the debris you are trying to pick up.

 

[nuke_twidget]

We never purchased a suction side cleaner, but I do believe it is plumbed for one. I'm assuming that's what the valve labeled "cleaner" is for. We've exclusively used a robot since day 1 and never touched those valves after the pool install. I'm happy to purchase a manual cleaner to do the job properly.

Here's a photo of what the water looked like during the day while we were filling out back up. That isn't oil floating in the pool, just a weird reflection from our overhead power lines.

 

[ajw22]

What robot cleaner do you have?

A robot cleaner should clean your pool as well as any suction cleaner.

Run your pump 24/7 and monitor your filter pressure and clean your cartridges whenever filter pressure rises by 25%. Run your robot cleaner at least twice a day. Your pool needs filtering which will take a while. Be patient.

 

[nuke_twidget]

What robot cleaner do you have?

A robot cleaner should clean your pool as well as any suction cleaner.

Run your pump 24/7 and monitor your filter pressure and clean your cartridges whenever filter pressure rises by 25%. Run your robot cleaner at least twice a day. Your pool needs filtering which will take a while. Be patient.

I can't remember the exact model, but it's a private labeled dolphin that came highly recommended from here. Glad to see I'm at least heading in the right direction. The good news is, it's three off season.

 

[ajw22]

Do you have a robot that has a choice of debris baskets?

Do you have the basket that caprures the smallest particles?

 

[HermanTX]

We never purchased a suction side cleaner, but I do believe it is plumbed for one. I'm assuming that's what the valve labeled "cleaner" is for. We've exclusively used a robot since day 1 and never touched those valves after the pool install. I'm happy to purchase a manual cleaner to do the job properly.

As indicated earlier, continue to run your pump 24/7 and watch your filter pressure. Clean the cartridge filter as recommended. If you do not have a lot of big debris then no need to purchase a manual cleaner. But it good to know you have that suction port for the future if needed. It appears you have fine debris in the water so continue to circulate water to catch it and run your robot as needed as well.

 

[nuke_twidget]

Finally checked the robot I have. It's the Pentair Warrior SI. Should I be changing where I'm drawing water from based on those valve positions?

 

[HermanTX]

Finally checked the robot I have. It's the Pentair Warrior SI. Should I be changing where I'm drawing water from based on those valve positions?

The Warrior SI is a robotic cleaner. It would not affect how your suction valves are set. Continue to have suction from the skimmer and main drain which was shown in your original post. Use your robot cleaner as needed to remove debris from the bottom of the pool. Continue to circulate water to capture debris in your filter.

 

[nuke_twidget]

The Warrior SI is a robotic cleaner. It would not affect how your suction valves are set. Continue to have suction from the skimmer and main drain which was shown in your original post. Use your robot cleaner as needed to remove debris from the bottom of the pool. Continue to circulate water to capture debris in your filter.

Perfect, thanks!