Plumbing - What's What and Can I Vacuum to Waste?

[GMusic]

I am trying to get my arms around my pool set up and plumbing so I can finish cleaning my pool.

I have a Pentair Intelliflo pump, SWG and cartridge filter. The pool has two skimmers. I have attached pictures of my equipment and plumbing. Fortunately, there are some labels which answer some of my questions.

Nonetheless, I still have some remaining questions I was hoping to get some help on.

1. I have a moderate amount of stuff on the bottom of my pool and would like to vacuum the heavy parts to waste if possible. I cannot tell wether my plumbing is tied into the sewer line or whether there is a valve which would allow me to divert the incoming vacuumed water. Does this plumbing allow me to vacuum to waste? If not, are there other effective alternatives?

2. What is the plumbing line coming out of the ground with the gauge on top and faucet on the side (7179)?

3. What is the plumbing extension with the faucet coming out of the pump line (7182)?

4. What is the small T line coming out after the SWG and before the return (7176)?

5. How do I empty the water and other dirt at the bottom of the filter when I am cleaning the cartridges? Is it by unscrewing the cap at the bottom of the filter (7181)?

6. I have a small amount of air bubbles in my pump basket which I am having trouble getting totally rid of (7178). I have tried letting all air out of the filter. Is there something I am missing?

Thank you!!!

 

[ajw22]

You do not have a multiport valve that allows you to vacuum to waste. Anything you vacuum will go directly into your filter. Your best alternative is to get a robot cleaner that will vacuum your pool and capture all the waster in its own bucket. Browse through the Pool Cleaner section.

I don't have good answers to your other questions.

A small amount of bubbles in the pump basket can be normal. First place to check is if the O ring for the pump top was lubed when it is closed. That O ring is a common place to get air leaks.

If you are going to hang around here please put details of your pool in your signature. See What we need to know to answer your questions

 

[Oly]

I will help with #5. Be careful attempting to remove that drain cap. It can be difficult or impossible to remove and often ends up destroyed, shutting down your system until repaired. I use a wet/dry shop vac to remove crud in the bottom when my grids are out for cleaning.

 

[Jimrahbe]

G,

1. With a cartridge filter you cannot vacuum to waste unless you add a 3-way valve to the input of your filter...
2. I suspect that is just a standard hose bid just like you would see on the side of your house.
3. That faucet would allow you to drain water from the pool with the pump running. It would not be large enough to use for vacuuming..
4. The Tee is actually after the SWCG, and I suspect that at one time the pool had a pressure side booster pump for a cleaner. The booster pump was removed and the input to the pump (the Tee) was just connected to the output of the pump, which goes back to the pool and acts as an additional water return.
5. I have the same basic filter and and I just unscrew the plug at the bottom.. When you put it back together, the key is to not cross tread it and don't tighten it too tight. Snug is just fine.
6. Since you have an IntelliFlo pump, air in the basket, when running at a slow RPM is quite normal.. It should go away at 2K RPM or above. If it does not go away, then you have a suction side air leak.

Side note... If you add your first name to the beginning of your pool signature, I won't have to call your "G"...

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[GMusic]

It is a bummer my pool was not plumbed with a diverter valve and sewer line as that would take a heavy strain off my filter for heavy vacuuming and would obviate the need to clean the filter multiple times during a heavy clean.

Yes, I will be ordering a robotic pool cleaner in the next day or two. That is a whole other topic. I do need to decide whether I should use the robotic to clean the moderate / heavy stuff or whether I should get everything I can out before using the robotic for the first time. I am leaning towards the latter.

Thanks for the perspectives on the filter drain. I have cross threaded things before.

Allen, I have added a signature with pool details.

Jim, my friends actually call me G or GW so I have also added that to my signature.

Thank you!

 

[Oly]

I agree with your leanings. Use a leaf net and get out what you can then turn your robot loose.

 

[Jimrahbe]

GW,

Robots are not really made to get heavy stuff out... If you can, use a leaf net, if not, and this is something that is going to happen often, I would add a three way valve between the filter input and the pump output... Run the output of the three way valve to a hose and route it away from your equipment pad.

Thanks,

Jim R.