Pump Ran After Closing

[geno1005]

They guy who closed our pool showed up unannounced back on 10/13. That started a whole chain of events that have been difficult at best, a disaster at worst. This was a job I did myself for many years, always made certain I met the guy myself once I hired the job out, and this was the first time (because of his panicked arrival) that wife met him.

Out of that confusion, no one turned off the main breaker and the pump, on a timer, has continued to run unattended for 10 days. I discovered it by accident when I wandered out in the back yard earlier this morning. Plenty of blame to go around here...so that's not the point...my question is the extent to which we may have damage now, and to what extent that damage may be.

The output valve was set to 'closed' and the input valve from the pool was left in the 'blocking the main drain' position, meaning that it was 'pulling' (if at all) from the skimmer side.

I presume that we may have burned up the pump...that's really almost a given in my book.

The salt generator was 'energized' through this process, but with no water running through it, is it likely to have sustained any damage?

My biggest concern is the pump pulling on the underground lines for all that time. Rather than shutting off the intake valve to both sides, the guy had it set to block the return from the main drain...but this means that the pump has been 'pulling' on that 1 1/2 inch PVP pipe for 12 hours a night...for over 10 days. Is there a probability that it would have collapsed that line (or even worse, the main return from the bottom of the pool) underground?

What about the winterizing that was done? Should I go back and winterize the entire thing again?

Thanks in advance for any advice...

Gene

 

[wireform]

The pump most likely is shot. I doubt you have damaged the pvc if it's rigid but the flex could be another story. I'd check to make sure the winterizing plugs are still tight and that they haven't somehow come loose.

 

[Mdragger88]

You don’t have your swg listed in your signature but I will go out on a limb & say that it likely has a flow switch that would have prevented the cell from actually running & causing any damage to the components.
The only way to truly assess all the damage is to pressure test lines &/or open the pool & see what works/leaks etc. You will have to decide if you want to do that now or upon opening.
I am surprised that the pump didn’t overheat & turn itself off via thermal overload protection. (It possibly could have multiple times in 10 days).
On the upside (maybe), Now’s your chance to upgrade to a vsp of it’s totally shot so time to shop around.

 

[JamesW]

If the pump drain plugs were removed, the pump just ran dry and the seal is probably the only thing that was damaged.

Replace the seal and maybe the seal plate and impeller if they are damaged.

What pump do you have?

 

[JamesW]

Looks like a Superpump.

Are the drain plugs out?

Remove the 4 bolts and pull the motor assembly back to examine the impeller, seal and seal plate.

 

[Darin]

Start with the seals. It is probably the only thing that needs replaced.
I doubt that you created enough heat to damage any other parts but it is a small possibility.

 

[JamesW]

If everything was properly drained, the SWG cell should have been dry and it would not do anything if it tried to run.

The flow switch should have prevented the cell from being powered, but it should be ok even if powered.

The pump won't pull on the suction if the water was drained and the plugs were out.

The impeller just spins and the seal gets hot, which will usually damage the seal and maybe the seal plate depending on how hot the seal gets.

 

[guinness]

On the upside (maybe), Now’s your chance to upgrade to a vsp of it’s totally shot so time to shop around.

If the motor is shot then look at a replacement VS motor instead, like the V-Green 165.

 

[JamesW]

Running dry should not damage the motor.

 

[geno1005]

Thank you everyone. All 3 plugs (2 returns and skimmer) were 'in'...everything was completely winterized. The selector on the 'inlet' side was set to block the bottom drain...but left open to the skimmer side. I normally left it set to block both sides (skimmer & bottom drain) when I closed it myself.

The handle on the 'return side, was in the 'closed' position however, so there was no place for the pump to 'push' anything (theoretically).

The pump wasn't making any unusual noises nor would I describe it as 'hot' when I discovered it this morning. It was certainly quite warm, but not 'hot'.

I'll be pleasantly surprised with anything up to and including replacement of the pump. Won't be happy about it, but won't be devastated either. I was mostly concerned about potential damage underground to the pipes, etc....and secondarily to the SWG. I'm greatly relieved with the overall opinion is that the pipes and the SWG should, in theory, be ok.

I don't want to buy a new pump, but would certainly prefer that to digging up the concrete and replacing the lines.

With that said, and (again) taking full ultimate responsibility for my failure to follow up...is it an unreasonable expectation for someone who closes pools for a fairly hefty fee to walk away having done more than just advancing the timer knob to the 12 hours of the 'off' cycle? Shouldn't they proactively advise the homeowner to throw the breaker (mine is inside in the breaker box)...none AT the poolside. I knew better because I closed it myself for years...my wife did not. I can't help but think that others whose pools they close will NOT know to do so. Just asking!

All additional feedback is appreciated! Thanks everyone!

 

[JamesW]

They should have removed the timer On trippers.