Results for "pump strainer"

Pump Problems Medium 45–90 minutes 50 👍 0

How to Fix a Clogged Pool Pump Impeller

My pool pump started making a grinding noise yesterday and the water flow through the skimmer has slowed to almost nothing — and we're hosting a big backyard pool party this Saturday. The filter pressure is reading lower than normal, which I've read can mean a clogged impeller. I pulled out the strainer basket and it had some debris in it, but even after cleaning it out the flow is still weak.

I'm pretty handy and would love to tackle this myself if it's doable without a pro. Can anyone walk me through how to actually get into the impeller and clear it out safely? I want to make sure I don't damage anything in the process — and I definitely need the pump running properly before the weekend.…more

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Equipment Easy 15 minutes 644 👍 0

Do I Need a Pool Vacuum Plate? Complete Setup Guide

Noticed my 20,000-gallon inground pool vacuum's been running without a vacuum plate and now I'm worried it's dangerous with kids swimming daily. My skimmer doesn't seem to have a separate vacuum port - just the main opening where the basket sits. I've been manually vacuuming by removing the basket and connecting my vacuum hose directly to the suction line, but I lose all skimming action during the process.

The pool stays pretty clean most of the time with my regular chemical balance (chlorine at 2.0 ppm, pH 7.4, alkalinity 120 ppm), but I do need to vacuum weekly to pick up the fine debris that settles on the bottom. Would a vacuum plate help me maintain skimming while vacuuming, or is there another setup I should be considering for my skimmer configuration?…more

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Pump Problems Medium 1–2 hours 16 👍 1

Pool Pump Loses Prime Overnight? Here's the Fix

Found the pump basket completely packed with air again this morning when I went out to check on the pool — same thing that happened yesterday, and the day before that. Once I manually fill the housing with water and get it going, the pump runs beautifully all day with no issues at all. But the second I shut it off for the night and try to fire it back up, it just churns away with a basket full of air and refuses to catch on its own.

This has become a frustrating daily ritual. I have a standard above-ground setup and the pump is maybe three or four years old. Water level in the pool looks fine, and I haven't noticed any obvious drips or wet spots around the equipment pad. I'm not sure if this is a seal issue, something with a valve, or just normal wear and tear at this point.

Is there a way to track down exactly where the air is sneaking in? I'd love to fix this myself if it's something manageable, or at least know what I'm dealing with before calling someone out.…more

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Pump Problems Easy 15 minutes 573 👍 1

Can You Run Pool Pump Without Filter? Risks & Solutions

Somewhere between my husband questioning why our pool pump is running without a filter cartridge and my growing panic, I'm wondering if I'm actually damaging something. My filter cartridge is completely clogged and I need to replace it, but my kids are asking to swim this afternoon. I'm wondering if I can just run the pump without any filter for a few hours until I can get to the pool store.

I know this probably isn't ideal, but would it cause any serious damage to the pump or create unsafe water conditions? I don't want to risk my children's safety, but I also don't want to damage our equipment if there's a way to manage this temporarily.…more

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Pump Problems Easy 15 minutes 307 👍 0

How to Tell if Your Pool Pump Isn't Working Properly

This 4-year-old pool pump is turning my once-crystal-clear water cloudy and stagnant — is it worth repairing or should I just replace the whole thing? I'm not super technical when it comes to pool equipment, so I'm not sure what warning signs I should be watching for.

What are the telltale signs that indicate my pump isn't doing its job properly? I want to catch any problems before they turn into expensive repairs or leave me with a swamp instead of a swimming pool!…more

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Pump Problems Medium 30 minutes 970 👍 0

Can You Run Pool Pump Without Skimmer? Safe Solutions

Every pool owner seems to swear by replacement skimmer baskets, but I'm wondering if I'm about to waste money on this cracked assembly replacement? I have a 20,000 gallon inground pool with both a main drain and skimmer line feeding into the pump. The skimmer is currently letting air into the system and causing the pump to lose prime intermittently.

I'm wondering if I can temporarily close off the skimmer line completely and just run the pump using suction from the main drain until I can fix the skimmer properly. Will this provide adequate circulation for my pool size, and are there any risks I should be aware of? I'm concerned about whether the main drain alone can handle all the filtration needs and if this might cause any damage to my pump or affect water quality during this temporary period.…more

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Equipment Medium 45 minutes 542 👍 0

How to Vacuum Pool Without a Skimmer - 4 Easy Methods

Before the pool season even starts, my skimmer cracks from freeze damage every single year, leaving me staring at a swampy disaster. I've been dumping shock and algaecide for weeks but I know I need to vacuum out all this debris and dead algae to actually win this battle.

The problem is my skimmer is completely shot and won't be replaced for another week. Is there any way to vacuum without using the skimmer? I'm willing to try anything at this point - manual methods, different equipment, whatever it takes. I just need to get this gunk out of my pool before it gets any worse!…more

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Filters Easy 30 minutes 455 👍 1

How to Use a Pool Sand Filter: Complete Step-by-Step Guide

The pool sand filter that worked fine for years started giving me cloudy water last month but now it's completely dead and those expensive pool store fixes aren't working.

Can someone just give me the straight facts on how to actually operate my sand filter? I want to know the basic daily routine, when I should backwash, and how to tell if it's working properly. I'm looking for simple, practical steps I can handle myself without breaking the bank on unnecessary add-ons.…more

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Above Ground Easy 30 minutes 371 👍 0

How Long Do Above Ground Pool Pumps Last? Lifespan Guide

The weird grinding noises coming from my above ground pool pump have me worried it's dangerous - with my kids swimming daily, could this thing fail completely and hurt someone? My current setup is a 24-foot round pool (about 13,500 gallons) that gets moderate use during our 5-month swimming season. I maintain proper chemical balance with chlorine levels around 1-3 ppm and pH between 7.2-7.6.

I'm particularly interested in whether there's a significant difference in longevity between budget pumps (around $200-300) versus higher-end models ($500-800). My current pump is about 4 years old and starting to make some noise, so I'm wondering if I should be preparing for replacement soon or if it might have several more years left. What factors most affect pump lifespan - is it mainly about build quality, or does maintenance and usage patterns play a bigger role?…more

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Equipment Easy 15 minutes 541 👍 0

How Long Do Pool Pumps Last? Complete Lifespan Guide

Finally, my 4-year-old pool pump is making weird noises during startup — should I repair it or start shopping for a replacement?…more

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Maintenance Medium 15-20 minutes to read, 30-60 minutes to complete weekly tasks 385 👍 1

Weekly Pool Maintenance Checklist: Complete Guide

Weekly pool maintenance involves testing and balancing water chemistry (pH 7.4-7.6, proper chlorine levels), cleaning skimmers and equipment, brushing walls, and vacuuming debris. Consistent weekly care prevents expensive repairs and keeps your pool safe for swimming year-round.…more

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Algae Green Pool Medium 45 minutes 345 👍 0

Can Pool Algae Grow Without Sunlight? Indoor Pool Facts

Starting to see algae in my 8-year-old indoor pool despite zero sunlight exposure — is this equipment failure or normal aging? My pool has been covered for months now with zero direct sunlight hitting it, but I'm still dealing with algae growth! I thought algae needed sunlight to survive, so this doesn't make any sense to me.

I've been throwing chemicals at this problem left and right, but the green keeps coming back. The pool is basically in complete darkness under the cover, yet somehow this stuff is thriving. Can algae actually grow without sunlight, or am I missing something obvious? I'm starting to think there's more to this than just blocking out the sun.…more

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