Results for "clogged impeller"

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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Filters Medium 1-3 hours 552 👍 0

Can Pool Filter Pressure Be Too Low? Diagnosis & Solutions

Found out from my wife that our pool filter pressure gauge has been stuck at a weirdly low 6-7 PSI all week and now I can't stop obsessing over it. My 20,000 gallon inground pool has been running fine otherwise, but I'm wondering if this low pressure is something I should be concerned about.

I've heard people talk about high filter pressure being bad, but nobody ever mentions if pressure can be too low. The pump seems to be running, but I'm not sure if the water flow looks as strong as it used to be. Water chemistry has been balanced - chlorine at 2.5 ppm, pH at 7.4, and alkalinity at 110 ppm. Should I be worried about this low pressure reading, and what could be causing it?…more

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Equipment Easy 15 minutes 189 👍 0

How Pool Pumps Work: Complete Guide to Pool Circulation

My pool pump has been running louder than usual lately, and I'm starting to wonder if I actually understand how this thing works. Ever since we had that power outage last month, the pump seems to be working harder but the water circulation doesn't look quite right. I can see water moving through the return jets, but I'm not really sure what's happening inside the pump itself or how it's supposed to move all that water through the filter system. Is there a simple way to understand the mechanics so I can better troubleshoot when something goes wrong?…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 Easy 15 minutes 281 👍 1

How Long Do Pool Cover Pumps Last? Lifespan & Replacement

This morning I discovered my pool cover pump completely dead after last week's torrential downpour, and now I'm questioning whether four years is actually normal lifespan. I'm looking at replacements and there's such a huge price range - from like $50 cheap ones to $300+ fancy models.

Before I drop the cash, what's a realistic lifespan I should expect? Is it worth spending more upfront, or do they all basically crap out after a few seasons anyway? Mine gets pretty beat up sitting outside through our harsh winters, so I'm not sure if that's just the nature of the beast or if I should be getting more years out of these things.…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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Equipment Easy 15 minutes to understand 602 👍 0

How Pool Skimmers Work: Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Walked out to check my pool skimmer this morning and I'm staring at all these mysterious parts with zero clue how they work together. They keep pitching fancy skimmer upgrades and I don't even know how my current skimmer is supposed to work in the first place.

I see leaves and bugs floating on the surface and sometimes they get sucked into that rectangular opening, but other times debris just sits there. Is there something I should be doing differently, or is this normal? I'd rather understand the basics before these salespeople convince me I need to spend hundreds on upgrades.

Basically, what's the step-by-step process of how water and debris move through a skimmer system? I want to know if mine is working properly or if there's a DIY fix I can try first.…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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Pump Problems Medium 2-4 hours 232 👍 0

Can You Cover a Pool Pump to Reduce Noise? Safe Methods

Tried the same pump cover trick that worked perfectly at my old house, but this winter setup has me stumped about keeping the neighbors happy. Before I close everything down for winter, I want to figure out if there's a safe way to cover or enclose the pump to muffle the sound. I've heard mixed things about covering pumps - some people say it's fine while others warn about overheating. What's the right approach here? I don't want to damage anything, but the noise is becoming a real problem.…more

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Filters Easy 15 minutes 557 👍 1

How to Tell If Your Pool Cartridge Filter Is Bad - 7 Signs

Nobody can explain why my test strips show perfect chemistry levels but my pool water looks like chocolate milk. Filter cartridge looks grayish and the pleats seem a bit beat up. Tried cleaning it but water quality isn't improving.

How do I know when it's actually time to replace the cartridge versus just needing a better cleaning? What should I be looking for?…more

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Equipment Easy 15 minutes setup 340 👍 0

Can You Leave Pool Vacuum On All Night? Safe Operating Guide

Standing in front of my computer cart with a robotic vacuum for my 20,000 gallon inground pool — is leaving it running overnight worth it or just asking for expensive trouble? The pool gets pretty messy with leaves and debris, and I feel like running the vacuum for 8-10 hours straight would really help get everything spotless.

My main concerns are whether it's actually safe for the equipment to run that long, and if there are any risks I should be aware of. I have a newer robotic cleaner that I bought last season, and it seems to handle well during normal 2-3 hour cleaning cycles. The pool's circulation system runs 24/7 anyway, so I'm not worried about that side of things.

Has anyone had experience with extended overnight vacuum runs? I want to make sure I'm not going to damage my equipment or create any safety issues by leaving it unattended for that long.…more

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Filters Medium 45 minutes 244 👍 1

Do I Need DE in My Pool Filter? Diagnosis & Solutions

I turned to three different pool techs about my 2019 Pentair FNS Plus cartridge system and got three completely different answers about adding DE. My kids spend hours in the pool every day during summer, and I want to make sure the water is as clean and safe as possible for them.

I'm honestly not even 100% sure what type of filter system we have - the previous homeowner left some DE powder in the pool shed, but I don't know if I'm supposed to be using it or not. How do I figure out if my specific filter needs DE, and if so, what's the right way to add it? I just want crystal clear water that's safe for my children to swim in every day.…more

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