Flow Problems After Winstorm

[WardL]

We had a windstorm that blew a lot of dirt and debris into my pool. I scooped out most of the debris but there was a lot of dirt left. The pool continued to circulate normally. After three days the water flow dropped way off to about 20% of the normal cleaning mode. I have 4 suction lines to the filter pump: the pool bottom drain, the surge drain, the vacuum hose and the spa. When switching between the suction lines, the water flow doesn't improve. The filter pressure is zero. I did clean the filter. The pump basket is not full of water. You can see the water flowing into the pump basket from the suction lines. The pump is pumping as much air as it is water. I've checked for suction air leaks, inspected the suction valves and lines for debris and removed some of the pool drain covers to look for debris and found nothing.

I'm wondering if the pump impeller is clogged up with debris. I don't want to tear into the pump. The other thought is a plug somewhere in the suction lines to the pump. I have ordered a "Drain King" that allows you to back flush the line to the pool with a hose. Since all the suction lines seem to produce the same low water flow situation it makes me think the blockage is really close to the pump suction or the problem is the pump is not performing. Any ideas on what I might do next?

Living in California, I am happy to have pool problems after a windstorm as opposed to my house burnt down. The damage in Northern California is unbelievable!

 

[mknauss]

Pine needles are notorious in getting though the pump basket and impeding the impeller. Do you have those? You should not get leaves, etc past your skimmer basket and then pump basket.

I am not familiar with a surge drain.

To see if you have any debris that could be impeding your impeller, shut off the entire power source to your entire pump pad, remove the pump lid and basket, and use your fingers to feel around the impeller.

Good luck.

 

[WardL]

Great idea on checking the pump suction with my hand! We don't have pine needles here. The surge drain is for the water flowing over the infinity edge flows into. It is like a surge pond to collect water to return back to the pump and filter.

 

[WardL]

There was debris in the impeller suction and I removed most of it. The pump is pumping a higher rate now. I still have some suction lines that are plugged.
Thanks for the suggestion!