Hello all,
Purchased a home with a swamp. I have begun the slow process of transformation. Entire pool had/has several inches of leaves and debris on the bottom. Return lines are not even visible it is so dark brown/green. According to neighbors pool was up and running last summer but was left uncovered into fall when the house was put up. I have scooped as much junk out as I can. Leaf rake is finally coming back empty or close. Unfortunately I cannot see what I am doing so who knows if I have missed certain spots.
Anyway, original CYA test showed <20 but likely > 0. I approximated 10 and added CYA to the pool. The next day after hanging my socks, I noticed all of the chemical was accumulating at the top of the pool and sitting at the shallow half. This being my first pool, I had no idea what my circulation system should look like visually. Pump is older but running and sand filter reads between 10-15psi. The skimmer lines are what have me questioning suction. They just dont seem to be taking in much water but I have no real experience to gauge how they should be working. I catch the skimmer baskets floating sometimes. I have diligently been cleaning the skimmer baskets and pump strainer. I reversed the flow in the skimmer lines using a toweled hose as well as drain king. I got some small debris to come out but nothing significant to make me think lines were blocked. I could be paranoid about the circulation system but my gut tells me it is weak. Could my pump be running but slowly dying does it have to be a blockage I cannot dislodge? The backwash seems to have sufficient pressure but what do i know. There is a smallish leak in the vertical pvc from pump to filter I plan on fixing (that couldnt be reducing pressure much could it?)
After about a week, the CYA has finally mostly dissolved from the surface. I tested at ~40 with some really old reagent but will do a new test soon with my new kit. I am close to a full battery of tests and shocking but want my circulation fears put to rest. This first post had to be long! Any insight would be appreciated.
Purchased a home with a swamp. I have begun the slow process of transformation. Entire pool had/has several inches of leaves and debris on the bottom. Return lines are not even visible it is so dark brown/green. According to neighbors pool was up and running last summer but was left uncovered into fall when the house was put up. I have scooped as much junk out as I can. Leaf rake is finally coming back empty or close. Unfortunately I cannot see what I am doing so who knows if I have missed certain spots.
Anyway, original CYA test showed <20 but likely > 0. I approximated 10 and added CYA to the pool. The next day after hanging my socks, I noticed all of the chemical was accumulating at the top of the pool and sitting at the shallow half. This being my first pool, I had no idea what my circulation system should look like visually. Pump is older but running and sand filter reads between 10-15psi. The skimmer lines are what have me questioning suction. They just dont seem to be taking in much water but I have no real experience to gauge how they should be working. I catch the skimmer baskets floating sometimes. I have diligently been cleaning the skimmer baskets and pump strainer. I reversed the flow in the skimmer lines using a toweled hose as well as drain king. I got some small debris to come out but nothing significant to make me think lines were blocked. I could be paranoid about the circulation system but my gut tells me it is weak. Could my pump be running but slowly dying does it have to be a blockage I cannot dislodge? The backwash seems to have sufficient pressure but what do i know. There is a smallish leak in the vertical pvc from pump to filter I plan on fixing (that couldnt be reducing pressure much could it?)
After about a week, the CYA has finally mostly dissolved from the surface. I tested at ~40 with some really old reagent but will do a new test soon with my new kit. I am close to a full battery of tests and shocking but want my circulation fears put to rest. This first post had to be long! Any insight would be appreciated.
