HELP! Water not getting to pump

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M

mgilbert

0
Aug 20, 2014
17
Clifton/VA
Hello folks, I am opening up my pool and following the same steps as usual. Remove all the plugs, open up ball valves, etc. but I can't even turn on my pump because water isn't even getting to it. Usually once i remove the skimmer plug, return line plugs and open the valves, water flows in fast. I've tried to fire up the pump for a few seconds using a hose to keep it wet to see if there's a blockage or something. I get no suction at all from the skimmer. Do I have a blockage in both main drain and skimmer (seems unlikely!) or am I hopefully just forgetting something... Help please! thanks!
-Matt
 

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I did not see a mention if water even flowed into the skimmer. Is the main drain connected to your
skimmer or directly to your pump? Have you tried to run water from the skimmer towards the pump?

-Bigpaws
 
Bigpaws said:
I did not see a mention if water even flowed into the skimmer. Is the main drain connected to your
skimmer or directly to your pump? Have you tried to run water from the skimmer towards the pump?

-Bigpaws
Click to expand...
Hi, thanks for your reply. Yes, there's water in the skimmer. The main drain has a separate line which combines with the skimmer line before flowing into the pump
 
Your op mentions usually when you remove the skimmer plugs that you have water flowing fast.
Was that different this year. When I remove my skimmer plug I see and hear water rushing into
the pipes.

Trying to flush water from the skimmer towards the pump will help to test water flow.

Are you able to isolate the Main and see if there is flow?

Pictures of the valves, pump and skimmer would help.

-Bigpaws
 
Bigpaws, Yes, it's different this year, normally water fills up the pump immediately after removing the plug, but this time there's nothing. I've tried to isolate the skimmer and main and neither has a flow. The pipes sound empty (at least the section above ground, have not dug up any yet). I've tried to push water from the skimmer using a shop-vac, but only a trickle comes out.
 

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In the picture it appears to be one pipe to your suction on the pump.

With no water flowing there is a restriction of some sort. These are the
areas to look at. First is there a plug in the suction line at the pump? I
use one on my system that you can not see. Second area to check that
the valves are truly open. These are the easiest areas to check without
more work.

-Bigpaws
 
There is no plug in the suction line at the pump. I will dig up a few feet to see if water is even getting to the valves, but I have tried moving the valve back and forth with no different result. Only variable this year is that i've replaced the entire inside of the pump filter. I don't think this should matter though since water isn't even getting to the pump which comes first...
 
mgilbert said:
There is no plug in the suction line at the pump. I will dig up a few feet to see if water is even getting to the valves, but I have tried moving the valve back and forth with no different result. Only variable this year is that i've replaced the entire inside of the pump filter. I don't think this should matter though since water isn't even getting to the pump which comes first...
Click to expand...

Before you start digging I would take a really really close look at the small section of pipe between the area where the drain and the skimmer lines join and the pump itself. You said that you are getting no water from the skimmer line or the drain line, so that suggests to me that the problem is in the common section of pipe.

I think the chances that two pipes were both independently clogged or damaged underground is extremely low.
 
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Just to be easy if there is a restriction at the filter. When you try to prime your pump
did you open the air valve on the filter? Is there any air being released?

-Bigpaws
 

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mgilbert said:
Dumb question - How do i take a look at the section of pipe you mentioned? I haven't checked if the air is being released on the filter, will confirm shortly.
Click to expand...

However you can, really. Maybe try to disassemble that valve right in front of the pump to make sure it looks OK and is operating properly. Maybe try to stick a hanger or something long and skinny through the pipe to see if you feel any obstructions.
 
So I did try the hanger and was able to get it back in there all the way to the elbow, so doesn't seem obstructed there, but will check again later and try moving it around some more. Also, when I ran the pump, air was coming out of the release valve on the filter.

2 updates: the main line has gone from barely a trickle to decent flow. Not enough to run the pump, but progress! I wonder if the ground was frozen and the 60 degree weather here in VA helped it thaw a bit.

Doing this testing I've run the water down just a tad below the skimmer line, so now i'm adding water so that I can test again. Again, i THANK YOU so much for the advice!
 
When you say suction, what do you mean? You can’t see water movement? If you put your hand in front of the hole you can’t feel any suction? Something else?

If the pump is running and water is flowing then it needs to be coming from somewhere. Is there water coming out of the returns? If you turn off the valve for the main drain and just leave the skimmer line open does water still come out of the returns?
 
Brett S said:
When you say suction, what do you mean? You can’t see water movement? If you put your hand in front of the hole you can’t feel any suction? Something else?

If the pump is running and water is flowing then it needs to be coming from somewhere. Is there water coming out of the returns? If you turn off the valve for the main drain and just leave the skimmer line open does water still come out of the returns?
Click to expand...
GOod questions, i put my hand in front of the hole and there's no suction. If I close off the main line and just leave the skimmer, some water comes in but not enough to run the pump at prime. Yes, water coming out of the returns.
 
I think it must be a blockage in the skimmer line. Water can get through but still no suction at the skimmer. I've tried shop-vac from the skimmer to try to blow it down but no luck. Plunger didn't work. Snake wouldn't go in very far. any thoughts on UNCLOGGING SKIMMER LINE? thanks!!!
 
You mentioned a rebuild of the filter. Are you sure via testing that there is
no blockage in or at the filter? Also when you are trying to push air or water
from the skimmer is the pump filter lid open?
-bigpaws
 

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