Skimmers clogged from DE?

[armleglegga]

My skimmers have both lost suction power since I added powder DE without diluting (stupid YouTube video). I tried the drain king (probably not correctly, from skimmer). Snake won't make the turns. I got it about 14 ft. Into the pipe. I even shot some air in at the recommendation of a lunatic pool man (great guy). No change. In fact, I see no water or air coming out anywhere when I try these.

Right now the main drain is pulling 100% but I have no diverter valves to close it if needed. Biggest issue is the surface debris just isn't getting skimmed. There is NO air at all going into the pump.

Any and all recommendations welcome.

 

[HermanTX]

I see 2 skimmers in the picture and you state there is a main drain Howeever there is only 1 pipe leading to the suction side of the pump. Therefore the main drain must be a line to one of the skimmers. Each skimmer has 2 holes. Can you see if both hole are open? Normally the hole nearest the pool will be linked ot the main drain. If not, then the hole may only go down 6 inches or so to a plug on the bottom.
Let us know what is in each skimmer as there is also a diverter valve in the skimmer (under the basket) to change suction from skimmer to main drain.
I have never heard of DE plugging a line as it becomes soupy in water. I am not saying its not impossible but just wandering if there something else going on.

 

[armleglegga]

thats the skimmer. 1 hole by my count. Not sure what the sundial looking thing does.

 

[HermanTX]

Maybe @1poolman1 has knowledge of this skimmer. I see the words Full Drain and Full Skim so it appears something must rotate or adjust between those 2 settings.

 

[armleglegga]

Maybe @1poolman1 has knowledge of this skimmer. I see the words Full Drain and Full Skim so it appears something must rotate or adjust between those 2 settings.

I hope it's related to those settings but I didn't knowingly touch anything there. Unsure how I could have tbh.

 

[1poolman1]

I hope it's related to those settings but I didn't knowingly touch anything there. Unsure how I could have tbh.

That appears to be an American Pool Products "Admiral" skimmer that had the main drain port in the suction line below the skimmer bottom. They used a diverter (see picture, slanted portion went into the hole in the skimmer). The "tang" sits above the bottom and points to the label in the bottom. I've seen D.E. clog a skimmer, but it is usually easy to break up with a stiff wire or long screwdriver.

 

[armleglegga]

Appreciate both of you taking a look. Im just going to keep trying with the snake and drain king.

 

[armleglegga]

That appears to be an American Pool Products "Admiral" skimmer that had the main drain port in the suction line below the skimmer bottom. They used a diverter (see picture, slanted portion went into the hole in the skimmer). The "tang" sits above the bottom and points to the label in the bottom. I've seen D.E. clog a skimmer, but it is usually easy to break up with a stiff wire or long screwdriver.
View attachment 587430

Do you know what tool I could use to adjust the skimmers to full skim? They did not have the flaps when I took over. Thanks!

 

[1poolman1]

Do you know what tool I could use to adjust the skimmers to full skim? They did not have the flaps when I took over. Thanks!

Without a diverter they pretty much are full-skim unless a basket gets clogged. Are you talking about the weirs? Just measure the opening width and get spring-loaded ones to match.

 

[armleglegga]

Thanks again for the replies above. I wasnt able to resolve this, but I did get some insights and an offer to dig up my deck and replace my lines.

Pool company believes that I have collapsed lines. We can force air out of the skimmers and main, but cannot pull any water in, so that makes sense. However, they did not use a camera, nor have they isolated the area where a collapse may be. They used a listening device and the tech seemed unsure where the problem is. Because of this, I have a difficult time trusting them and letting them do the work. Too much "trust me".

I also find the timing of the "collapse" suspicious as I had added powdered chemical (DE and CYA granules) through the skimmer the day before the issue began. I know that was stupid now, i did not at the time.

At this point I have tried to blow out any obstruction with water and air and I have tried snaking the lines. I have an "Old style" Anthony Sylvan pool. In the attached pic in first post, you can see I only have 1 pipe going into the pump. The main and returns seem to connected at the skimmer. I am thinking about cutting the pipe at the pump and trying to get a camera or snake into the pipe from that side.

The pool is in bad shape right now and i want it working ASAP. I'm probably going to start digging myself this weekend. Wanted to see if there were any other thoughts out there before then.

Thanks again, TFP.

***Also want to add that when I do run the pump it doesn't fully prime. But, I have noticed that it's gotten worse since we started forcing in air and water. I don't know what to make of that but it seems like something may be moving?