Diagnosis please: Do I have a blockage in my pipes?

Jump to latest Follow Reply
S

shacke

Platinum Supporter
LifeTime Supporter
Jul 5, 2010
150
Philadelphia
OK so I am very good with maintaining my pool and rarely if ever do I come across an issue I can't figure out but here I am.

I first noticed a few weeks ago that when I backwashed, a fitting at the base of the filter temporarily sprayed water and then ran fine. I called service who said they fixed it but they didn't do Crud.

Yesterday, a few things were happening. The pressure was reading 30 and flow through the skimmers and returns was weak so it was near the point of needing to backwash so I did. It dropped to about 25 but today it is right back up to 30. I will say at this point in the season for me backwashing is RARELY needed.

Today, I am now getting a solid red no flow error on the hayward goldrite chlorinator even though the pump is running and it doesnt sound like it is straining. The pressure is up to 30 again, and there is low flow in the skimmers and returns (and my FC is 0 which is weird but that's not my urgent worry - if flow was really bad maybe the heat here ate the FC but in a day?).

I went to backwash again - not sure why except low flow and high pressure means that usually - and this time the fitting by the chlorine cell and sensor leaked big time and would not stop.

I have shut the whole system down and sent a frantic email for service at a better company - I hope they can come soon.

The only thing I can think of to tie it together is a blockage somewhere but I have no idea what or where that could be,

Does this sound at all familiar to anyone???

Thanks for any assistance!
 
shacke said:
I do not believe so. I have individual valves for the skimmer, return and floor cleaning system but they all run through the filter.
Click to expand...
Can you post a pic of your equipment pad please? A couple different angles would be good. A MPV is either top mounted or side mounted. Some pools however have a vertical plunger backwash valve which has its limitations.
 
  • Like
Reactions: shacke
This is the setup. Left to right starting to right of filter: main drain line, defunct vacuum line, skimmer, turbo floor cleaner, return line. The turbo and return flow through a bypass valve to allow I believe excess pressure on the turbo to flow into the return bit not sure I have that right.

Behind the heater is a pipe that drives ornamental fountain.

IMG_0457.jpegIMG_0459.jpegIMG_0458.jpegIMG_0460.jpeg
 

Attachments

  • IMG_0461.jpeg
    IMG_0461.jpeg
    545.3 KB · Views: 9
You are not wrong!

I looked and see all the valves were closed. They must have been closed when I ran the pump accidentally.

I turned on the system and it’s not leaking!

Ok so the urgency is calmer thank you! I’m a fool but I still have this low flow issue despite pressure being higher than expected.

Any thoughts?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Texas Splash
shacke said:
I still have this low flow issue despite pressure being higher than expected.
Click to expand...
Well, I'm glad we prevented a pressure catastrophe. Whew! Now onto low flow huh? When you say low flow, do you mean out of the return jets? Water is getting pulled into the pump okay I hope, but what you feel out of the jets is weak? Is that about it?
 
  • Like
Reactions: shacke
It’s definitely weak coming out of the returns and the suction into the skimmers is also weak. At the pump, it sounds fine but the pressure on the filter is 32 now. This is high for my pool especially after backwash and it’s not dirty.
 

Enjoying this content?

Support TFP with a donation.

Give Support
Texas Splash said:
Well, that was my next concern - the filter. Did you open it up this spring when you opened and do a thorough inspection and cleaning of the grids/fingers?
Click to expand...
I do not open myself but that is part of the opening process that I use a pool service for. I will say however that I would not be shocked if that was done half-a**ed but the system was working fine for the few couple of months and now it’s not.

Incidentally, the fitting at the base of the filter will still leak temporarily when backwashing but maybe that is unrelated and just needs tightening. Unless that leaks when pressurized because of whatever issue is occurring.
 
Newdude said:
Is 25 the normal PSI after backwashing or just last time ?

backwash again. If the PSI drops but rises quickly again, you need to Overnight Chlorine Loss Test. Fast filter cycles are almost always chemistry issues.
Click to expand...
Interesting I had not heard of that before. I SLAMd when I opened the pool and it’s been fine until today when it went to 0.

Usually it drops to about 20-21. This time it only went to 25 and is now 31-32 in 24 hours.

Easy enough to try.
 
shacke said:
I would not be shocked if that was done half-a**ed but the system was working fine for the few couple of months and now it’s not.
Click to expand...
That is my concern as well. The Overnight Chlorine Loss Test recommend above is a good tool. We know DE filters fill up extremely fast if the organic level is high in a pool. The water doesn't have to be green or cloudy, the DE just captures everything. Before you know it, no flow, high pressure, etc. I would do the OCLT as a start, but be prepared to open the filter.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Newdude
My favorite part about OCLTs is that it buys us time to fiddle with anything else. The alternative is fiddling first, and BOOM swamp.
 
Pat and Newdude

I think you hit on it 100%

I just backwashed again and the pressure went to 24 and the flow feels much much better. It makes more sense that it is chemistry since the equipment rarely gives me trouble.

I also just added a bunch of liquid chlorine and I can smell the CC.

I suspect I know what may have happened. I left on vacation and a friend usually comes by to check chemistry. I wonder if he didn't show up much at all and we've had a serious heat wave here. I must have come home thinking it 'should' be good and it's not. I also think at some point the generator shut itself off making matters worse.

I will report back to close the circle but I suspect a SLAM is in order. I will begin tomorrow - I am certain the OCLT would fail tonight. I can literally smell the heavy chloramines.

THANKS!!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Texas Splash and Newdude
shacke said:
I just backwashed again and the pressure went to 24 and the flow feels much much better
Click to expand...
Mechanical problems don't fix themselves with a backwash, like you witnessed with the closed valve. It fixed itself when you opened it. 😁


shacke said:
I suspect I know what may have happened. I left on vacation and a friend usually comes by to check chemistry. I wonder if he didn't show up much at all and we've had a serious heat wave here
Click to expand...
Plenty of folks who didnt go away misjudge the current UV loss. He may have done his best and goofed anyway.

There's also revently been several folks, myself included, who realized their CYA dipped when unexpected FC loss appeared seemingly out of the blue. Double check your CYA level too.
 
Newdude said:
Mechanical problems don't fix themselves with a backwash, like you witnessed with the closed valve. It fixed itself when you opened it. 😁



Plenty of folks who didnt go away misjudge the current UV loss. He may have done his best and goofed anyway.

There's also revently been several folks, myself included, who realized their CYA dipped when unexpected FC loss appeared seemingly out of the blue. Double check your CYA level too.
Click to expand...
I will check CYA that’s a good idea I wouldn’t have thought of mid season
 
  • Like
Reactions: Newdude
Just a follow up. Backwash pressure has held this morning (24) so it looks like its was actually in need of several backwashes. Flow is normal.

Luckily, CYA has held up fairly well and I am doing what I suspect will be.a short SLAM (if that exists ;)) and will try the OCLT tonight. CC is in range today.

My pool is like a kid, after 16 years of living together you think you know everything about them and then they surprise you.

I have never had this happen but I am grateful for the help here. Very ..... as always.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Texas Splash and Newdude

Enjoying this content?

Support TFP with a donation.

Give Support
You must log in or register to reply here.
Thread Status
Hello , This thread has been inactive for over 60 days. New postings here are unlikely to be seen or responded to by other members. For better visibility, consider Starting A New Thread.
Top Bottom
Back
Jump to latest Follow Reply