Swimming pool pump question

[NDA]

I have just started to open up a pool but have found that the pump is not working properly.

It is delivering only the most feeble of 'suck' from both the skimmer and sump and the pump basket is only half full of water when it's running instead of the normal maelstrom of water. If I turn off the sump valve and have it powering the skimmer only, there's barely any power at the skimmer end.

Everything looks as it should, the pump sounds normal.

I would have thought pumps either work or they don't - in other words can't be 'half working'.

Any thoughts?

Thanks.

[shimmey69]

Depends on type of pump

If for example it's a 6 vaned pump and 3 vanes have broken off then easily can be half working.

I would say pump needs looking at.

Hth

[NDA]

OK, I will take a look at the pump and see if it has broken bits in the impeller.

Thanks...

[JM]

Might just be air-locked.

Do you prime/fill the pump basket before turning on the pump?

[NDA]

JM said:

Might just be air-locked.

Do you prime/fill the pump basket before turning on the pump?

Yes fully primed - all things as per normal except no draw (or very small draw). The pump doesn't appear to be struggling - but no flow. It was working fine earlier in the week when I first fired up the system.... all very odd.

[JM]

No blockages or anything anywhere?
Skimmer baskets clean, pump basket filter clean, main filter clean?

What about either doing a back-wash or just running the filter on recirc.

If it turns out to be a problem with the pump, I have a new one that I could sell you for a good price if its suitable.

[NDA]

JM said:

No blockages or anything anywhere?
Skimmer baskets clean, pump basket filter clean, main filter clean?

What about either doing a back-wash or just running the filter on recirc.

If it turns out to be a problem with the pump, I have a new one that I could sell you for a good price if its suitable.

Skimmer basket clean, pump basket clean, filter clean...... I can't see any blockages.

I hadn't thought of putting it on backwash, will do that.

What make/power is your pump? I'm not sure I have the skills to plumb in a different make of pump (I'm assuming the pipe fittings would be in the wrong/different place).

[JM]

NDA said:

What make/power is your pump? I'm not sure I have the skills to plumb in a different make of pump (I'm assuming the pipe fittings would be in the wrong/different place).

My pump is a Hydro-Air, it's a 2 speed unit but could be run on either speed. it's .75 kw or 1.0 kw depending on which way it is used.
I think the fittings are usually pretty standard between different makes, so it might be ok to fit.

[NDA]

Mine is an Aquaspeed and looks like this:

[JM]

What rating is it?

My pump is the same size as the Aquaspeed except it is slightly shorter from the basket to the threads on the inlet connection. Aquaspeed is 120mm from centre of basket to end of threads my one is about 100mm.

Overall length is 550mm.

[NDA]

I think mine is 1.5hp - not completely sure!

[JM]

NDA said:

I think mine is 1.5hp - not completely sure!

1.5 HP = 1.1 KW

It should be on the label either on the motor or the side of the pump.

[jeff m]

If your pump sounds normal, I would stick a shop vac from pump to skimmer, then pump to main drain (assuming IG.)
Then blow forward from pump to returns.
You should get lots of bubbles
Also the water should be clean, dirty water would indicate a winter damaged u/g pipe.

PS do you have a bleed screw on your filter, open I hope whilst priming.
If that's all good.
Then split pump and basket and check gasket/O ring you colud be pulling air.

[ColinM50]

Back wash. Pure and simple. Do a proper backwash. Can give proper instructions if you need them, but your symptom is definitely indicative of needing a backwash. Don't forget to add new filter medium too. When did you last change the filter?

[NDA]

I will give it a backwash first. It's an empty rental property I own and I haven't been up there for a couple of days, but when I do get there I will do this first of all.

The sand filter is about 5 years old and has not had the medium changed......

[davidjpowell]

Shamelessly jumping in...

We have recently moved into a property with an indoor in-ground pool.

All was going well, until I vacuumed the pool and did a backwash. Since then water is escaping from around the seal of the sand filter lid.

The lid itself was new. I have slackened and re-tightened, and replaced the seal. It holds at first. However as soon as the pump cycles from on - off and then back on the water escapes (it's quite a lot).

The pressure in the filter looks higher than it used to be. Not sure where to start looking at the moment..

[NDA]

JM said:

What about either doing a back-wash or just running the filter on recirc.

Backwashing solved the problem.........

I'm not sure why I didn't think of doing it myself, I've had pools for long enough. However, that solved it and clearly the tenants over the past 3 years had never backwashed the filter - the stuff that was agitated was er, interesting!

Anyhoo, pump operating fine.

Thanks for the pointer!