So I’m possibly having a new pool built by the end of the year since we are moving to the country and probably won’t buy a house with a pool already in it. My question is why would a pool builder put the pool pump higher than the the pool water? I see this all the time. This is what my house currently has. Wouldn’t it make sense to put the pump lower than the pools water is so the water would naturally drain back into the pump when the pump is off. I realize it’s probably harder on the pump but I’m having to have my pump rebuilt or buy a new one ever 2 years, and rebuilding it once a year. I’m going to possibly build my own pool next time around since I have a skid steer and am a pretty good electrician and plumber. I’m thinking fiberglass.
Someone please explain this
- Thread starter acroberson
- Start date
As long as it's not more than about 3 feet above the pool, it's not going to make much difference either way.
You can do up to about 10 feet if you take special care to do it right. Mostly just use extra large pipe.
If you're replacing or rebuilding your pump every year or every other year, something is wrong.
Make sure that you use an "ozone/salt" rated seal when replacing the seal.
You can do up to about 10 feet if you take special care to do it right. Mostly just use extra large pipe.
If you're replacing or rebuilding your pump every year or every other year, something is wrong.
Make sure that you use an "ozone/salt" rated seal when replacing the seal.
- Jul 21, 2013
- 52,233
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
Your profile does not contain a location and the answer can be location specific.
Winterizing pool equipment is easier when the equipment is level or above the water level. Water naturally drains out of all the equipment.
When the equipment is below the water level you have to have valves to close before doing any maintenance on equipment to stop the natural draining.
Either location can work with proper design. Neither puts undue stress on pool equipment.
You have something else going on causing your pumps to fail prematurely.
Winterizing pool equipment is easier when the equipment is level or above the water level. Water naturally drains out of all the equipment.
When the equipment is below the water level you have to have valves to close before doing any maintenance on equipment to stop the natural draining.
Either location can work with proper design. Neither puts undue stress on pool equipment.
You have something else going on causing your pumps to fail prematurely.
It may be as simple as aesthetics. Placing the equipment in a spot that is more "out of view" or out of the way of other activities in the yard/garden area.
Maddie
My problem is trees. I have a stupid amount of trees including Crepe Mertyles on my property. So my skimmer fills up with leaves and flowers in under 4 hours during the fall. This inevitably causes restricted water flow therefore the pump loses prime. I can’t be there to clear the basket every 4 hours. My question is on my new pool build, if I put the pump below the skimmer line wouldn’t the water drain back into the pump. I’m just asking if putting the pump below the skimmer line make a difference on having to use check valves in order to keep the pump primed. Those check valves suck anyway and can literally be of no use if so much as a Crepe Mertyl flower get jammed in there. You can simply place one valve to shut off all water going to the pump for maintenance. That not hard but replacing check valve guts twice a year is a PITA.
- Jul 21, 2013
- 52,233
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
That is where a main drain is helpful to allow water to keep flowing to the pump if the skimmers get clogged. Put a good large piped main drain home run to your equipment pad in your new build.
Clogged baskets reduce flow but they should not affect the prime.
As long as the system is airtight, the pump should remain primed.
If the baskets are getting clogged, putting the pump lower isn't going to help.
As long as the pump is not more than about 2 feet above the water surface, you probably don't need a check valve.
If you do want to have a check valve, put it on the discharge of the pump instead of the suction to reduce its exposure to debris.
For your new build, use 4 skimmers and make sure that each skimmer has an equalizer line.
A main drain can also help.
You can put the pump lower if you want, but it's probably not going to make much difference either way.
A main drain can also help.
You can put the pump lower if you want, but it's probably not going to make much difference either way.
Also for you new build avoid having plants in the immediate area that will dump trash in your pool. I battled Crepe Myrtle blooms every year from my neighbor's trees. I installed a pool skim on the return and it cut way back on the skimmer clogs.
Amazon.com : PoolSkim Pool Skimmer and Pool Cleaner : Swimming Pool Maintenance Kits : Garden & Outdoor
Amazon.com : PoolSkim Pool Skimmer and Pool Cleaner : Swimming Pool Maintenance Kits : Garden & Outdoor
www.amazon.com
Had a neighbor's crepe myrtle overhanging my first pool. That season was awful. The basket would fill up, then get sucked down into the skimmer and break. I would go through 2-3 baskets per season even emptying it every day after work. Those things have no business around a pool. My pool also did not have a functioning main drain.
As far as the pump location, shouldn't matter as long as the system is water-tight. I think you want to be a little above water level though... otherwise, when you go to empty the pump basket or clean the filter, you are battling water flow. A check valve can be used, but usually is not preferred on the suction side in my opinion. Good luck with a new build!
As far as the pump location, shouldn't matter as long as the system is water-tight. I think you want to be a little above water level though... otherwise, when you go to empty the pump basket or clean the filter, you are battling water flow. A check valve can be used, but usually is not preferred on the suction side in my opinion. Good luck with a new build!
- Jul 3, 2013
- 9,028
- Pool Size
- 15000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool SJ-40
A chainsaw would get rid of your problem today 
