Embarrassed…forgot to put basket back in pump

[knasty]

Like the title says, when I was re-priming my pump after a power outage on Sunday, I took the basket out to rinse it out and clean it, but forgot to put it back in…

Since then, we’ve had really bad storms Monday and Tuesday night, and I just opened the pool today to see it was filled nearly to the top with water and very dirty.

After wasting, backwashing and rinsing, I finally noticed that I had left the basket out and have since put it back in, but should I be concerned with over three days of the pump running without it in there?

Anxiety is rising…

 

[wireform]

If the pump and returns are all good then the anxiety is wasteful.

 

[knasty]

If the pump and returns are all good then the anxiety is wasteful.

Thanks, as you can tell I’m relatively new to all this!

So don’t have to worry about anything particularly large (sticks, mass of leaves, etc) messing up the sand filter? I’m hearing a new noise from the filter…seems a bit louder than usual…almost as if there’s some stuff in the pipes heading toward the salt cell and heater.

Now if I could just figure out how to quickly get my pump to prime and STAY primed

 

[PoolStored]

Now if I could just figure out how to quickly get my pump to prime and STAY primed

If you have trouble priming, I would do some trouble shooting.

First two points:
1) Turn off the power to the pump. There should be a power disconnect the pump is connected to...if not turn off the breaker. Take the lid off and feel around the impeller for any debris. This may be a cause of the inability to prime. You want a clear impeller.

2) Take the pump lid off, clean the volute, the cover and re-lube the o-ring with a silicone lubricant (not sealant). You don't want to use a PTFE/Teflon lube. Magic Lube II is a silicone lubricant that is good for this.

If these two don't solve the prime and stay prime problem, then there may be a filter, skimmer, skimmer line or Multiport Valve (MPV) issue.

What type of sand filter do you have? Make and model.
Post a picture of your equipment pad.
Did you have an inability to prime before the storm?
When you try to prime, or are running the pump, can you see/feel water movement in the skimmers?
Do you have a main drain?
Are the weir doors working correctly and movement not impeded by debris?

It may be worth inspecting the multi-port valve and the internal of the sand filter for large debris causing an inability to flow and prime. After pictures, and ensuring flow from main drain or skimmers, we'll get to that

 

[wireform]

Besides the above mentioned points there are most likely 2 pump drain plugs which utilize an 0 ring to seal. There too lube my be needed to eliminate any air intrusion that can cause priming issues as you describe.

 

[knasty]

If you have trouble priming, I would do some trouble shooting.

First two points:
1) Turn off the power to the pump. There should be a power disconnect the pump is connected to...if not turn off the breaker. Take the lid off and feel around the impeller for any debris. This may be a cause of the inability to prime. You want a clear impeller.

2) Take the pump lid off, clean the volute, the cover and re-lube the o-ring with a silicone lubricant (not sealant). You don't want to use a PTFE/Teflon lube. Magic Lube II is a silicone lubricant that is good for this.

If these two don't solve the prime and stay prime problem, then there may be a filter, skimmer, skimmer line or Multiport Valve (MPV) issue.

What type of sand filter do you have? Make and model.
Post a picture of your equipment pad.
Did you have an inability to prime before the storm?
When you try to prime, or are running the pump, can you see/feel water movement in the skimmers?
Do you have a main drain?
Are the weir doors working correctly and movement not impeded by debris?

It may be worth inspecting the multi-port valve and the internal of the sand filter for large debris causing an inability to flow and prime. After pictures, and ensuring flow from main drain or skimmers, we'll get to that

Apologies for the delay in responding, been a busy couple of weeks. So, I’ve since checked for debris and relubed the o-ring, but still have sporadic issues. Previous owner claimed issues as well, his solution was to shove a hose in the skimmer, a hose in the pump line and flood the pipes for 5 minutes, and that usually does it; though that feels more like a band aid than a solution.

Attached are pics of my pump and filter. Just came out to see bad flow again. There is no bottom drain, just the skimmer.