Skimmer Clogged Again

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Papashome

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May 16, 2017
4
Noblesville, IN
Second year pool owner so had a pro company close the pool last fall. When I was vacuuming for last time days before they arrived, the skimmer got clogged. I had noticed less pressure on the skimmer line in recent weeks but it had continued to flow. Now it was completely clogged. I tried moving the valve from main to skimmer multiple times to use the pump to free the clog, but that did not work. I also tried a bladder and water hose from the pump which barely worked. I was able to feel some cold water coming thru the skimmer but it was obviously still obstructed.

So when the pro company got there, they assured me they could probably blow out the clog while blowing out the line to winterize. Sure enough, the air blew right thru and it appeared all was clear. Well I just opened my pool yesterday and after the pump primed and everything appeared to be running smoothly for about 5 minutes, the exact same issue reappeared. Absolutely nothing coming through the skimmer line! I checked the basket and there were no leaves or debris. I was careful to clean out the entire skimmer before putting the basket back in so there wasn't a wad of debris for it to suck down once I turned the pump on. I have a shop vac and pipe bladder at my disposal for fix advice. I'm totally confused on how the line went from looking fully cleared in the fall to completely clogged again within 5 min of opening. Help!?!?!?
 
You can guy a snake fairly cheap. I bought one from a store at 75 foot and used it and it worked like a charm. They are handy for your home as well and would save on a plumber or in your case a pool business. Just my 2 cents
 
Could be something like a bottle cap stuck in the plumbing that got knocked sideways and allowed flow, and then shifted again in an elbow and is blocking it again. A few years ago someone with a similar problem dug a matchbox car out of his 3-way valve... If you have any three-ways, maybe check that they turn freely.
 
Thanks for the input. I will try the snake next. It's a 2" pipe and no debris went thru the line after opening. I could understand a matchbox car taking a few days of debris to completely clog. But I can't think of anything that's readily available to the pool that would fit perfectly sideways as well as perfectly horizontal to create an immediate blockage like that. There's literally 0oz water coming thru within 5 min of opening. When I shift from main to skimmer on valve it's putting obvious pressure on the pipe so the valve seems to be working well and the pipe completely blocked. Thanks again
 
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