Shallow skimmer wont draw properly. Flow improves albeit minimally with backwashing.
Serious help needed
- Thread starter richardc
- Start date
There is nothing in the skimmer basket or in the skimmer itself. The main drain, and the deep end skimmer are working fine.
test at 630 am cst July 29th
FC 16 *
overnight test passed
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Yesterday evening I did some vacuuming to waste, however before I got started some went to the filter. Nevertheless, the simmer flow worked fine with the basket in when I vacuumed. After awhile, when the water level ran down, I stopped. The skimmer basket was full of debris. After emptying the basket, I had no flow left in that skimmer. Backwashing temporarily improved the flow but then stopped. Over night there is no flow through that skimmer.
FC 16 *
overnight test passed
- - - Updated - - -
Yesterday evening I did some vacuuming to waste, however before I got started some went to the filter. Nevertheless, the simmer flow worked fine with the basket in when I vacuumed. After awhile, when the water level ran down, I stopped. The skimmer basket was full of debris. After emptying the basket, I had no flow left in that skimmer. Backwashing temporarily improved the flow but then stopped. Over night there is no flow through that skimmer.
The water today is about 99% blue !! Pictures to follow .
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Much clearer...yes I have a shop vac
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Much clearer...yes I have a shop vac
Turn the filter off & use the shop vac on the slow skimmer. Push the hose or wand right down to the bottom of the skimmer. I'd also remove the lid on the pump.
Mike please clarify. My shop vac has a vacuum, and a blower function. Which am I using? When you say insert it into the skimmer you mean to go right into the pvc pipe? Remove the lid off of the pump basket?
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It's been an amazing turnaround...yes?
Use the vacuum side. Yes, have the pump basket lid off & get right into/onto the PVC pipe. Hopefully it'll pull out any debris that's in there.
I've never tried that ^ You'll have to let us know if it works, Richard
What I have seen people use to flush a clog is a drain king...just put it on a garden hose and it sends pressured water like a jet into the system.
(https://www.amazon.com/G-T-Water-Products-Inc-345/dp/B001ATBS4W/ref=pd_sim_60_6?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B001ATBS4W&pd_rd_r=7X7CHQ597DGGH76T2DM8&pd_rd_w=x2por&pd_rd_wg=3tl2q&psc=1&refRID=7X7CHQ597DGGH76T2DM8)
I have one but actually freed my skimmer clog by just toggling the valves with pump running. So by the time the drain king came in, I was already home free.
At any rate, fab progress. Hopefully you'll make quick work of this setback and be on your way to a wrap
What I have seen people use to flush a clog is a drain king...just put it on a garden hose and it sends pressured water like a jet into the system.
(https://www.amazon.com/G-T-Water-Products-Inc-345/dp/B001ATBS4W/ref=pd_sim_60_6?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B001ATBS4W&pd_rd_r=7X7CHQ597DGGH76T2DM8&pd_rd_w=x2por&pd_rd_wg=3tl2q&psc=1&refRID=7X7CHQ597DGGH76T2DM8)
I have one but actually freed my skimmer clog by just toggling the valves with pump running. So by the time the drain king came in, I was already home free.
At any rate, fab progress. Hopefully you'll make quick work of this setback and be on your way to a wrap
I've never tried that ^ You'll have to let us know if it works, Richard
What I have seen people use to flush a clog is a drain king...just put it on a garden hose and it sends pressured water like a jet into the system.
(https://www.amazon.com/G-T-Water-Pr...rd_wg=3tl2q&psc=1&refRID=7X7CHQ597DGGH76T2DM8)
I have one but actually freed my skimmer clog by just toggling the valves with pump running. So by the time the drain king came in, I was already home free.
At any rate, fab progress. Hopefully you'll make quick work of this setback and be on your way to a wrap
My thinking was that he'd have better luck pulling it out rather than trying to push it through. The filter is already trying to move it in that direction without any success. If the vac doesn't work then he could try turning off the bottom drain & the other skimmer to see if the pump can pull the clog through. Opening & closing the bottom drain while doing this may also help.
I am going to try the shop vac first. I purchased a hose/bladder pressure thing and if the former fails I will try the latter. I'll also try opening and closing the main drain to see if that helps. Thanks for the tips.
BattleOfYakima
TFP Guide
To clarify, are you suggesting he actively open/close/adjust/pulse valves while the water is circulating through them in an attempt to hopefully dislodge and transport any blockage material all the way to the pump basket?
I think were on the same page. Leave clogged skimmer open & "pulse" the main drain. I expect the filter pressure to drop from normal with only the clogged skimmer open. Opening the main will get the water moving again. Maybe leave the main open a few seconds after normal pressure resumes then close it for a few seconds.
BattleOfYakima
TFP Guide
I admit I've done this before to my old valves and had success clearing chipped de-laminated plaster chunks that got vac'd up and partially blocked the flex hose. Of course, those valves started leaking air in on the suction side and I replaced them. I have not subjected my new valves to this yet.
I am concerned with debris lodging in the valve itself, potentially even as I you're closing it, potentially damaging the valve; therefore I must warn you that this method could carry some risk for making matters worse. Furthermore, if the debris makes it through the valve but re-clogs before the skimmer basket, you'd be unable to run your pump until resolving the clog and restoring the water supply. Lastly, perhaps increasing the clog down the line could result in a harder to clear clog in an even less accessible location, say an underground elbow. These may be worst case scenarios, but I felt they deserved a mention.
Perhaps if you wish to try the force them to the pump basket method you could start by hooking up the vac hose to the clogged skimmer and holding the vac head end of the hose to the strongest return jet to provide a push. Same risks as above I suppose, without the valve involvement.
I'm curious about garden hose/snake options from the pump side back towards pool.
I am concerned with debris lodging in the valve itself, potentially even as I you're closing it, potentially damaging the valve; therefore I must warn you that this method could carry some risk for making matters worse. Furthermore, if the debris makes it through the valve but re-clogs before the skimmer basket, you'd be unable to run your pump until resolving the clog and restoring the water supply. Lastly, perhaps increasing the clog down the line could result in a harder to clear clog in an even less accessible location, say an underground elbow. These may be worst case scenarios, but I felt they deserved a mention.
Perhaps if you wish to try the force them to the pump basket method you could start by hooking up the vac hose to the clogged skimmer and holding the vac head end of the hose to the strongest return jet to provide a push. Same risks as above I suppose, without the valve involvement.
I'm curious about garden hose/snake options from the pump side back towards pool.
I used the shop vac and that pulled a very small amount of debris out. I then switched to the hose bladder going in from the pump, and that pushed many of the small berries/mini crab apple berries back up through the skimmer.
Unfortunately, now I cannot get prime on my pump. I have been at it for about 30 minutes and nothing but some air bubbles coming from the deep end return line. This is very ubusual. Usually, it takes a few attempts and then it primes. But I have never had this happen before. Any ideas
Unfortunately, now I cannot get prime on my pump. I have been at it for about 30 minutes and nothing but some air bubbles coming from the deep end return line. This is very ubusual. Usually, it takes a few attempts and then it primes. But I have never had this happen before. Any ideas