This doesn't look good.

[rmiller23]

Pressure valve doesn't reach over 15 but drops to 0 and then climbs back to 15--rinse and repeat. Basket also not staying primed when I turn on filter. When backwashing the flow goes from normal to low and etc.

**SOLVED** Skimmer Flap/Wall was stuck preventing water and creating a suction of air.

 

[rmiller23]

Maybe that's DE and I just don't know what a real backwash looks like ??

 

[duraleigh]

Sounds like your pool water level is too low. Is air getting sucked into the skimmer?

Can't comment on the backwash debris.

 

[rmiller23]

Water level is midway with skimmer as recommended.
Will upload video of pump in action shortly.

 

[rmiller23]

 

[borjis]

If there is no vortexing going on in the skimmer the level is probably ok, but some skimmers are not equal. Mine was installed a bit high so half at the mouth isn't enough. About half an inch higher is my minimum fill level. To prevent vortexing and sucking air in.

 

[rmiller23]

Understood. No vortexing, no air intake from skimmer. Wondering if there's an air leak elsewhere...

 

[duraleigh]

That water sloshing around in your pump strainer basket tells you you have a fairly significant suction side leak. Regardless of what's suggested go look at your skimmer with the pump running and make sure you are not sucking air.

Assuming you are not, then read the article in pool school on suction side leaks. They are often hard to find but, then, pretty easy to fix.

 

[rmiller23]

You are the man, Dave. I ran it and checked the skimmers. Furthest away had the skimmer flap stuck preventing water flow. Thank you greatly. Headache over.

 

[duraleigh]

 

[borjis]

Doh! Stuck weir. That will do it.