Pump becomes ineffective after a few months between grid cleaning

[SometimesHateMyPool]

Hi, I’ve had a recurring problem as long as I can remember and decided to post it here. I have about a 10k gallon pool with a Pentair 1.5 HP variable speed pump and a Hayward 48 SF DE filter. Right after a thorough grid cleaning and recharge the pump works amazing moving the water but after about 1.5 to 2 months after nominal use with regular chlorination and cleaning, it loses its ability to efficiently move the water and then the cloudy water and algae start. When I see this happening I’ll grab the hose for the skimmer and after I hook up the hose to clean, the pump won’t clear the air from the hose which it normally does fine. At this point I generally know it’s time for yet another cleaning. I could do a backwash but that seems like it only does a so-so job at getting me back in business. This issue seems to crop up quickly meaning one day the pump just stops working efficiently.

Any ideas what this might be? It seems like it’s filter related but I just don’t know. It seems like I should be good for 4-6 months.

Thanks for listening.

 

[PoolGate]

Your filter collects particulate matter from the water column and stores that until you backwash the filter. It does not prevent algae. It has nothing to do with water sanitation either. You have a chlorine issue. Testing your water yourself with a high-quality test kit then making informed decisions for how to proceed is the cornerstone of why the TFP method works. I suggest the below reading as a good start. I also suggest you get a high quality drop based test kit (also below). You are at the right place to solve all of your pool issues! Welcome!

Pool Care Basics

Test Kits Compared

 

[1poolman1]

Hi, I’ve had a recurring problem as long as I can remember and decided to post it here. I have about a 10k gallon pool with a Pentair 1.5 HP variable speed pump and a Hayward 48 SF DE filter. Right after a thorough grid cleaning and recharge the pump works amazing moving the water but after about 1.5 to 2 months after nominal use with regular chlorination and cleaning, it loses its ability to efficiently move the water and then the cloudy water and algae start. When I see this happening I’ll grab the hose for the skimmer and after I hook up the hose to clean, the pump won’t clear the air from the hose which it normally does fine. At this point I generally know it’s time for yet another cleaning. I could do a backwash but that seems like it only does a so-so job at getting me back in business. This issue seems to crop up quickly meaning one day the pump just stops working efficiently.

Any ideas what this might be? It seems like it’s filter related but I just don’t know. It seems like I should be good for 4-6 months.

Thanks for listening.

Cloudy water is the beginning of green water in most cases. Algae is clogging your filter. Think of it as a vacuum-cleaner bag/filter. Once it gets clogged there is no air flow, therefore no suction. Your pool acts the same way with water.

 

[SometimesHateMyPool]

Thanks, I have a PoolMaster test kit but owning it and using it are two different things apparently. I’ll start testing more often and see what effect that has on the problem.