Yes, I believe the hoses are 1.5". No, they do not get stepped on at all. The only difference I can discern from last year is that I did not have as much curve in the hose - although there is still really very little -- just two very gradual curves that are like lazy "C's" -- last year there would still have been some curve, but probably only one not two (this year going through some landscaping that wasn't there last year.) Very very gradual, and same length of hose so not much difference from last year.
I still wonder if the water pressure switch got messed with. My belief is that last year at initial install, the installer did move the daisy wheel a small amount in the direction indicated in the manual for "heater below water level." But I see no markings on the daisy wheel to know where factory default setting was, or to try to adjust it at all. Does it sound possible I just need to find that sweet spot, or is that something that would not cause this problem? Thank you so much for your input.
I still wonder if the water pressure switch got messed with. My belief is that last year at initial install, the installer did move the daisy wheel a small amount in the direction indicated in the manual for "heater below water level." But I see no markings on the daisy wheel to know where factory default setting was, or to try to adjust it at all. Does it sound possible I just need to find that sweet spot, or is that something that would not cause this problem? Thank you so much for your input.