New to forum and having Pump problems

[Candya]

Hello my name is Candace be I’m new. I love my pool but I think it hates me....lol. I am always stressed out with the pump. It works I think. But I’m really not great at knowing what to do. I relatively new to pool ownership. But you think after 4 years I would get it right. I always have trouble with the pump and it not filling or sucking in water. I tried everything. The lid is lubricated and not cracked. What setting should it be at when I turn it on? The original owner told me to backwash and than when the little water thing on the filter fills up
Put it to filter? Does this sound right? Anyways I tried everything still won’t hold water in the basket part. I would appreciate some advice I don’t have tons of money to hire someone and I’m a single mom.
Thanks

 

[Texas Splash]

Candace, welcome to TFP! First off, please save the link below as it's a great place to find information about pool equipment, water chemistry, etc.

As for your pump/filter, you should be able to leave it on FILTER unless you actually need to backwash or something. From your description and looking at the pics, I suspect you have an air leak somewhere, maybe more than one. Air can get sucked "into" the system and really disrupt how it should operate. Often times those flex hoses and ring clamps allow a little air to get in, so I would inspect those very carefully. You can spray some soapy water on those hoses and connections AFTER the pump to look for any leaks. Now "before" the pump, that is your suction side. So be sure to check everything before the pump for potential air leaks. Those areas before the pump will NOT push air bubbles outward, it will suck air IN, so you may have to try different things to see if it works like pouring water over a fitting while the pump is on, or wrapping a fitting with saran wrap. But go slowly and one part at a time. Also, sometimes you might hear a hissing sound or actually see a little squirt of water when you turn off the pump. That means there's an air leak.

Pool Care Basics Archives

Your one-stop shop for all things TFP to include: ABCs of Water Chemistry, Recommended Chemicals/Levels, Test Kits, Troubleshooting, and much more!

www.troublefreepool.com