When pump came on this morning, it was struggling to fill the pump basket. I put in spa mode and it ran fine. Back to pool mode and no suction. I use a hose on the suction side outlet where the cleaner used to be attached, and after manual adjusting the valve that goes between the skimmer and suction side cleaner it started to run when mostly taking a suction on cleaner outlet. When I inspected the skimmer hole was almost empty, and the plastic flapper appeared to be stuck closed blocking the flow of water. Some playing around with it, and everything appears to be working now. Is this a common issue? We did just have high winds.
Skimmer float stuck, causing no water flow?
- Thread starter Fishy1234
- Start date
- Jul 21, 2013
- 65,165
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
Yeah, weir doors can stick closed.
Look at where it is hanging up and shave down that side a bit.
Look at where it is hanging up and shave down that side a bit.
So if my pump is starting, and not taking a suction, and I am not home to hear it, will the pump be ruined? Burn up or something?
- Jul 21, 2013
- 65,165
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
A pump running without water flowing through it will overheat damaging the internal seals and develop leaks. The leaks can get into the motor and ruin it.
Pumps have overheated enough to warp the impeller and parts of the volute.
I had a feeling it was not going to be a good thing. So why do I need the skimmer flapper anyway?
- Jul 21, 2013
- 65,165
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
The weir door is what does the skimming.
Without the weir door your skimmer will not capture the surface debris you find in the skimmer.
How much stuff do you find in the skimmer and need to clean out?
S
I see scratch marks on the skimmer wall, where the flapper has rubbed. Perhaps some fine wet sand paper will smooth it out?
During the fall, leafs from neighbors blow directly into the pool, and skimmer gets clogged full of them. Otherwise it is just bugs, small leafs, etc.. I dump it twice a week or more.
I see scratch marks on the skimmer wall, where the flapper has rubbed. Perhaps some fine wet sand paper will smooth it out?
- Jul 21, 2013
- 65,165
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
look for a video of your brand skimmer and take the door out. Then shave the door down with sandpaper. If you somehow break it, they can be easily replaced on the cheap.