new house and overwhelmed by pool

[ashpie]

Hi all,

I bought a new house with a pool and overwhelmed by it. It’s been 2 1/2 months and I’m now just getting to the pool (vacation and work). I’ve done a chemical analysis and determined I need more chlorine and muriatic acid (thanks TFP Pool Math!). What I’m confused by is the set up in the pictures attached. I know it is a pool pump and I have a solar pool heater. I’m not sure how to operate these and what levels they should be at. Can anyone shed some light?

Thank you!

 

[ajw22]

Welcome to TFP.

Was the pump running when you took a picture of the filter gauge? It should not be 0 when the pump is running.

Show me pictures of the labels on the filter.

You have a single speed pump. Nothing to set on it. The pump is either running or off.

 

[ashpie]

it is making a noise like it is running, but if you’re telling me the pump is not running, is it clogged and i need to clean the filter? i don’t know when the filter was last cleaned.

would have been nice if previous owners just supplied a manual!

 

[ashpie]

could the pool pump get damaged from not having enough water in the pool? the pool level was well below the skimmer. i just filled it yesterday but it was low for almost 3 months.

the pump is a switchless motor. see pics.

 

[ajw22]

You have a cartridge filter. You need to open it and check its condition. Cleaning instructions are on the white label. The yellow label has the cartridge part number if replacing it is easier.

Cartridge Filter Use and Care - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

Do you feel any water coming out of the returns in the pool?

Do you see any water movement when you look down into the pump basket?

 

[sande005]

Your pump actually has two major parts - the electric motor, and the pump itself. You've been showing the motor, and all it's information, but not the front half that is the pump (the part with the clear lid). THAT may be harder to figure out the make and model, but see if there are any identification stickers/plates on that part too.

Is the pool filled to 1/2 way up the skimmers now?
With the pump running, can you see water flowing via the clear lid? If you open the "hose faucet" above the pump (do it slowly and just a little - or you may get a bath), does water come out? If yes to both, the pump is pumping.

 

[ashpie]

yes the pool is filled halfway to the skimmer. i think i see movement in the pump but not very certain as it’s not clear. i’ve tried opening the lid but it’s either on very tight or the buildup is making it tough to open (or i’m not opening it correctly).

will try again tomorrow.

 

[sande005]

Don't try the lid with the pump running! Although the suction may make getting it off impossible, any way. Only remove when the pump is off.

Does any water come out of the "hose attachment" faucet just after the pump? It should, if the pump is actually pumping anything.

From the picture, it looks like there is no water in the pump. If no water out of the faucet, just turn off the pump and leave it off, so that you can spend time taking things apart to see what the issue is. If the motor was run for a really long time without any water in the system, there might be some bearing damage. But then again, if the weather has been cooler, all may be fine.
Your issue may be a simple "loss of prime", which can happen to all systems. But first, let's work on getting that clear lid off.....

Again - any label/stickers that might give a clue as to the brand/model of the plastic pump itself? Or at least a photo of the front, in addition to the one from the top you already posted.

 

[ajw22]

Again - any label/stickers that might give a clue as to the brand/model of the plastic pump itself? Or at least a photo of the front, in addition to the one from the top you already posted.

Jandy Flopro.

Show us the label circled in red.

 

[ajw22]

yes the pool is filled halfway to the skimmer. i think i see movement in the pump but not very certain as it’s not clear. i’ve tried opening the lid but it’s either on very tight or the buildup is making it tough to open (or i’m not opening it correctly).

will try again tomorrow.

Turn the power to the pump OFF.

Use a rubber mallet and gently tap the ear circled in red to rotate the lid open.

Lift the lid off and see if you have water in the pump pot.

Clean the lid and read the various instructions on it.

Clean the lid so you can better see through it.

Examine the condition of the big O ring around the lid.

Buy some Pool Lube - Further Reading to lubricate the O-ring.

Report what you find.

 

[ashpie]

pics attached. turned off the power and i was able to get the lid off. I cleaned out the filter. there was water inside the pump and it was steaming. does the o-ring look OK to you?

It’s been cooler here but temperatures during the day have been in the 50s, low 60s. For now, I’ve left the power off

 

[ajw22]

Water steaming means the water was not flowing through your equipment. It was just being churned in the pump.

Sounds like the pump is working, but a valve is closed, or something is clogged in your system.

 

[sande005]

Can you tell or show a bit more - where does the vertical pipe (the one that has the two horizontal offshoots with red valves), go to?
Also, there is that really long section that wraps around the pump, and dives under the floor. Where does it come from, and do you know where it goes to?

I suspect the first pipe comes around from higher up and becomes the second, which goes to the pool.....
From the pics, the water is set to flow to the filter, then out and straight up the vertical pipe. The side branches are, I think, for the solar panels. While those valves are open to let water flow, the main big valve on the vertical section is set to prevent flow to the panels, currently. That's OK for now.