Swimming pool pipes blocked?

[NDA]

I can only assume that the pipes are blocked somewhere in my pool system. Here are the symptoms:

No suction.
Pump strainer basket woofs away the water when it's 'charged' but then doesn't draw.
No action when backwashing either.

This is a rental property and I suspect the tenants haven't looked after the pool over the past 3 years, or at least not as well as I would.

I see there's a product in the states called a 'drain king' which looks ideal for this, I wonder if there's anything similar over here?

http://www.amazon.com/Water-Products-H34-Unclog-At...

[JM]

Is it the same pool as last time?
If no, then I'd say it's a similar problem, it's not been backwashed.

Test by putting the multi-way valve on the filter to re-circ or bye-pass, meaning the water doesn't go through the filter. Then try the pump.

If it's the same pool as before, then what has changed?

I'd suggest maybe changing the filter media.

[NDA]

JM said:

Is it the same pool as last time?
If no, then I'd say it's a similar problem, it's not been backwashed.

Test by putting the multi-way valve on the filter to re-circ or bye-pass, meaning the water doesn't go through the filter. Then try the pump.

If it's the same pool as before, then what has changed?

I'd suggest maybe changing the filter media.

Yes it's the same pool and I can't see what's changed. I did backwash previously and it did what it was supposed to and then appeared to be running fine.

The water in the pump strainer basked is being thrown at speed into the sand filter (showing he pump is working) and then nothing - no suck.

I'll try the circulation idea.

If there is a blocked pipe, (there are 3 lines on this pool, sump skimmer and vacuum) I can't see it effecting The whole system unless it's just the last part where all 3 lines join the pump.

Grrrrr!

[davidjpowell]

perhaps the media in the filter needs changing?

[NDA]

davidjpowell said:

perhaps the media in the filter needs changing?

Hmmm, maybe.

[Deva Link]

NDA said:

Pump strainer basket woofs away the water when it's 'charged' but then doesn't draw.

I'm struggling to remember the details now, but on my father-in-laws pool there was a filter immediately before the pump. Looking at Google images they all look like they're plastic now, but his was a rectangular metal thing with a bolted down cover.

Turned out the cover for this wasn't sealing properly so the pump was sucking air. We used grease to seal it while he got a new gasket. He'd been on the verge of digging up the pool surround, assuming one of the pipes was blocked.

[davidjpowell]

davidjpowell said:

perhaps the media in the filter needs changing?

Have a bit more time.

We were having issues with water blowing out a seal on top of the sand filter.

It turned out that the people here before us were not very good at taking care of the pool, plus it had been drained down, and consequently no backwash for some time.

I would imagine that if the sand has been left stagnant for some time, it could just be clotting. I was surprised at the effect a determined backwash had.

Our is still not great, and can still blow the seal on occasions which means I am also contemplating a media change. I don't think it's a particularly expensive option (he says hopefully)!

We did also have pump issues and I wonder whether the original condition of filters and baskets would have done yours much good. having said that, with ours there was no doubt. It squealed like a banshee.

[Ayez beera]

If the pump hasn't been running for sometime, I suspect the sand has gone off, you will need to dig it out (get some good quality gloves) and replace.

Before doing that check, all the filters. Make sure all seals are tight and doing their job.

[Matt Harper]

What's the pressure reading on the filter? Should be betwen 15 and 20 psi with the pump running. Also alternate the directional-valves settings so that the pump is drawing from the main drain, then pool suction and then skimmer, in islolation, rather than conjunction. Don't attempt to change the direction of the multi-valve with the pump running. Finally make sure the pump filter housing is filled with water before you power the pump - and check for filter media in the sump or any sand that's been puked by the skimmer, back into the pool.

[NDA]

Matt Harper said:

What's the pressure reading on the filter? Should be betwen 15 and 20 psi with the pump running. Also alternate the directional-valves settings so that the pump is drawing from the main drain, then pool suction and then skimmer, in islolation, rather than conjunction. Don't attempt to change the direction of the multi-valve with the pump running. Finally make sure the pump filter housing is filled with water before you power the pump - and check for filter media in the sump or any sand that's been puked by the skimmer, back into the pool.

I haven't looked at the pressure but will check.

The sand looks 'normal' in the filter. I have run the pump in every setting (backwash, recirc, waste, filter) and recharged the pump with fresh water each time - all to no avail. The pump sounds as it should, the strainer basket immediately empties as the water is hoovered out of it, but no draw on any of the pipes. I've tried running the skimmer, sump and vacuum all in sequence.

It's got me foxed.

It did this a week or so ago and I backwashed it and it ran fine. Very odd.

[JM]

NDA said:

The pump sounds as it should, the strainer basket immediately empties as the water is hoovered out of it, but no draw on any of the pipes.

Sounds like it is air-locking, you need to keep priming the basket.

Try priming the basket and running the pump, briefly, till the water goes, then stop the pump, see if the water comes back into the basket, if it does, quickly put the pump on again then off again if the basket empties quickly, then repeat a few times. Either that or fill the basket, lid on, run pump for few seconds, lid off, fill basket repeat several times.

Don't run the pump when it is dry.

[Matt Harper]

I suspect the pump impeller (seized bearing) then.

Did you eradicate the chemistry imbalance you had previously? It's not at all common to have a blockage, due to the high pressure that the pump pushes, but it sounded like your Ph was a long way out of range. Hopefully you aren't furred-up with limescale underground.

[NDA]

Problem sorted.

Turns out that the pump strainer lid was not forming a decent seal - once that was fixed, it's running perfectly.....

Seems odd that the smallest of gaps would have such an impact.

[Deva Link]

NDA said:

Problem sorted.

Turns out that the pump strainer lid was not forming a decent seal - once that was fixed, it's running perfectly.....

Seems odd that the smallest of gaps would have such an impact.

Do I get a prize?

[NDA]

Deva Link said:

Do I get a prize?

Yah. Virtual pint to you.....