We have had to part ways with our pool builder and are trying to assess what is left to do. His parting words to us were that our pumps were not big enough. Another company we had out (who is too busy to help us finish) said that we should have had a separate pump for our 4 waterfalls (3 on pool wall and 1 faux on spa). Does this ring true for anyone? Are your water features separate from the pumps that run your pool?
Separate pump for waterfalls?
- Thread starter Waterfan
- Start date
- May 23, 2015
- 24,495
- Pool Size
- 16000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
If you have a dedicated suction line and a low head water features (scuppers, bowls, sheer descents, waterfalls, etc), then a separate waterfall pump is much more efficient. Water feature pumps typically supply water at lower head and higher flow rates than a pool pump. They also operate at lower RPMs (depending on the design) and so they use less energy than a typical pool pump. Water features like sheer descents often need very specific and higher flow rates in order to make the effect (a sheer cascade of water) work.
A spa spillover can simply be run using the main pool pump and the correct adjustment of valves. A separate water feature pump is not needed.
If you post up pictures of your equipment pad and plumbing layout, @mas985 can speak more intelligently to the hydraulics involved.
A spa spillover can simply be run using the main pool pump and the correct adjustment of valves. A separate water feature pump is not needed.
If you post up pictures of your equipment pad and plumbing layout, @mas985 can speak more intelligently to the hydraulics involved.
- May 3, 2007
- 17,036
- Pool Size
- 20000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
Also, the size of the waterfalls (i.e. flow rate requirements) is also very important.
Thank you. When we turn it on as it sits, the fourth waterfall barely drips. I wish one of you all with the knowledge were near Chattanooga to help us out! Seems like nobody really wants to work on/or has time for a pool in a 90% completed state with issues. Of course, our contracted PB didn't ever come out to work on it anymore either after 14 months so we had no other choice. When he would come out he would just make something else worse. The Pentair rep that retro-fitted our automation after the PB screwed that up is supposed to be out next Friday. He has said for months he would come out, so I am not holding my breath.
- May 3, 2007
- 17,036
- Pool Size
- 20000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
We don't need to be there to help out. We just need a little more information.
The three waterfalls on the pool wall, are they sheer descents?
How wide is each one?
What is the distance from the waterfalls to the pump location?
What size pipe is currently being used?
Does each waterfall have it's own suction port/line?
Does each waterfall have it's own return line?
What pump model are you currently using?
Posting pictures of the waterfalls and the pad area might help as well.
Even if the Pentair rep comes on and gives you suggestions, it would be a good idea to confirm their suggestions.
Help us help you!
The three waterfalls on the pool wall, are they sheer descents?
How wide is each one?
What is the distance from the waterfalls to the pump location?
What size pipe is currently being used?
Does each waterfall have it's own suction port/line?
Does each waterfall have it's own return line?
What pump model are you currently using?
Posting pictures of the waterfalls and the pad area might help as well.
Even if the Pentair rep comes on and gives you suggestions, it would be a good idea to confirm their suggestions.
Help us help you!
- May 23, 2015
- 24,495
- Pool Size
- 16000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
Does your State have a contractor licensing board that you can file a complaint with? Are contractors in your state expected to be licensed, bonded and insured?
I’m not one to go to the litigation route but a well-reasoned complaint to a board like that can often “motivate” a contractor to make good on their work or risk losing their license or bond money. If the contractor continues to fall short then a licensing board can often help you find someone willing to help make it right as they try to protect the reputation of the contracting business that way.
I’m not one to go to the litigation route but a well-reasoned complaint to a board like that can often “motivate” a contractor to make good on their work or risk losing their license or bond money. If the contractor continues to fall short then a licensing board can often help you find someone willing to help make it right as they try to protect the reputation of the contracting business that way.
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