Trying to clean pool after Helene

[techman65]

Hi all,

My home in Augusta, GA was hammered by Helene a couple weeks ago and I am trying to get started clearing the pool of a massive algae bloom. We finally got power back yesterday and am trying to get the pump running; however, I can't get it to prime for some reason. Water level is good, pump basket o-ring is fine, skimmer is clear. However, the pump basket never fills with water completely and the water flow seems very low. I also tried backwashing and the flow was very low coming out as well.

I've watched various YouTube vids on how to prime but no luck. Anyone have suggestions on what to try in this situation?

Thanks.

 

[PoolStored]

Turn the pump breaker off. See if there is debris stuck in the impeller.

 

[techman65]

Turn the pump breaker off. See if there is debris stuck in the impeller.

Should I just stick my hand in there or is there a better way?

Thanks.

 

[PoolStored]

Stick your hand in there. Make sure power is off.

Low flow could be:
Impeller clogged with stuff, or something in the lines from the pool to the pump. How many skimmers/drains do you have?

Did you try it on recirculate, or to waste (to eliminate a filter issue)?

 

[techman65]

Just checked the impeller and it was clear. Also tried it on recirculate just now and it pretty much does the same thing. Here is a brief video of what it does.

 

[PoolStored]

Check that your weir doors are moving and operating correctly.

 

[techman65]

I don't have a weir door. Also to answer your earlier question, I just have one skimmer.

Thanks

 

[Newdude]

Rattle a pencil or such in the ball valve before the pump to prove it's good and open.

 

[PoolStored]

I don't have a weir door. Also to answer your earlier question, I just have one skimmer.

What is the water level in the skimmer mouth? 10% up, 25% up, 50% up?

Can you post some pictures of the entire pad so we can see everything we are dealing with, even if it takes a few pictures.

 

[techman65]

Water level is 50% up. I have also included a photo of the equipment.

Thanks

 

[PoolStored]

Try it again, while it is surging, look in the skimmer, if it is pulling the water too fast, it will suck air. You should have a weir door on any skimmer.

Next, open the pump and stick a garden hose into the suction side and run the water. See if it comes up in the skimmer. Something may be stuck.

 

[SecoSteve]

How long are you letting the pump prime? Sometimes, my pump takes a good 60 seconds before it's done "swooshing".

 

[techman65]

How long are you letting the pump prime? Sometimes, my pump takes a good 60 seconds before it's done "swooshing".

Just tried it for 3 minutes with no success.

 

[techman65]

Try it again, while it is surging, look in the skimmer, if it is pulling the water too fast, it will suck air. You should have a weir door on any skimmer.

Next, open the pump and stick a garden hose into the suction side and run the water. See if it comes up in the skimmer. Something may be stuck.

Just tried it again while looking in the skimmer. The water in the skimmer is not moving at all - completely still.

Also tried the garden hose trick and am not seeing it come up in the skimmer. Starting to wonder if the pipe from the skimmer to the pump is blocked somewhere.

 

[PoolStored]

Also tried the garden hose trick and am not seeing it come up in the skimmer. Starting to wonder if the pipe from the skimmer to the pump is blocked somewhere.

Likely.

Get one of these and use it on the pump end, pushing water back to skimmer.

 

[techman65]

Thanks for the tip. Headed to Home Depot to get one of these.

 

[techman65]

Likely.

Get one of these and use it on the pump end, pushing water back to skimmer.

View attachment 613814

I just tried the bladder. First I tried putting it in the skimmer, but didn't see anything pushed to the pump. Next I put it in the pump and for a while I did see water coming up into the skimmer, but then it died down to a trickle.

Attempted to prime again with no success. How long should I leave the bladder in there? I left it in initially for 3-4 mins.

Thanks

 

[PoolStored]

You have something in there. If it doesn’t clear it almost immediately after inflation, that something is lodged.

 

[techman65]

Yeah, I was afraid of that. I may have to punt and call the pool company on this one. Thanks so much for your help in troubleshooting this.

 

[dereksanders]

You might want to try a snake. It would at least give you an idea where the block is.