Low skimmer suction

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amccoy995
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My Pool: 30K gallon, in-ground, Hayward sand filter S244t

Low skimmer suction

Postby amccoy995 » Sun 23 May, 2021 14:11

We have very low suction in both skimmers of our in-ground pool. It started about a week and a half ago. We have backwashed several times, run cleaner solution through the filter and today changed the sand. It pulls debris into the skimmer, but not down into the baskets. We also checked the pump and the impeller seems to be fine. Any other suggestions?


Denniswiseman
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My Pool: 10k inground fibreglass, Telescopic Cover, Hayward Powerline pump, Quality filter with glass media, 27kw output heat pump, K-2006C test kit
Location: United Kingdom

Re: Low skimmer suction

Postby Denniswiseman » Mon 24 May, 2021 01:47

What's your returns like?
Floating debris won't be sucked down, if it did then you would pull air into the suction line and stop the suction
amccoy995
I'm new here
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Posts: 7
Joined: Sun 23 May, 2021 14:08
My Pool: 30K gallon, in-ground, Hayward sand filter S244t

Re: Low skimmer suction

Postby amccoy995 » Mon 24 May, 2021 07:05

It should go into the basket and not float on top. We've had the pool for 40 years and this has never happened. The debris gets pulled into the skimmer area then just floats and prevents other debris from entering. Our pool surface is a mess.
Denniswiseman
Pool Industry Leader
Pool Industry Leader
Posts: 2592
Joined: Tue 06 Sep, 2011 05:48
My Pool: 10k inground fibreglass, Telescopic Cover, Hayward Powerline pump, Quality filter with glass media, 27kw output heat pump, K-2006C test kit
Location: United Kingdom

Re: Low skimmer suction

Postby Denniswiseman » Mon 24 May, 2021 10:43

You don't mention your return flows as that will determine whether you have sufficient suction
amccoy995
I'm new here
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Posts: 7
Joined: Sun 23 May, 2021 14:08
My Pool: 30K gallon, in-ground, Hayward sand filter S244t

Re: Low skimmer suction

Postby amccoy995 » Mon 24 May, 2021 13:34

Return flow seems to be fine
Denniswiseman
Pool Industry Leader
Pool Industry Leader
Posts: 2592
Joined: Tue 06 Sep, 2011 05:48
My Pool: 10k inground fibreglass, Telescopic Cover, Hayward Powerline pump, Quality filter with glass media, 27kw output heat pump, K-2006C test kit
Location: United Kingdom

Re: Low skimmer suction

Postby Denniswiseman » Mon 24 May, 2021 14:33

If the return flow seems to be fine then the suction should be OK
What's it like on filter bypass / recirculate
amccoy995
I'm new here
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Posts: 7
Joined: Sun 23 May, 2021 14:08
My Pool: 30K gallon, in-ground, Hayward sand filter S244t

Re: Low skimmer suction

Postby amccoy995 » Mon 24 May, 2021 15:28

My husband just tried that and there was no change. We're at a loss, we can't even use the pool because there is so much debris on the surface.
Denniswiseman
Pool Industry Leader
Pool Industry Leader
Posts: 2592
Joined: Tue 06 Sep, 2011 05:48
My Pool: 10k inground fibreglass, Telescopic Cover, Hayward Powerline pump, Quality filter with glass media, 27kw output heat pump, K-2006C test kit
Location: United Kingdom

Re: Low skimmer suction

Postby Denniswiseman » Mon 24 May, 2021 16:53

Right, then the only other thing could be a restriction in the suction pipe or the pump is blocked
First of all dismantel the pump and check the impellor for a blockage
To use the pool use a net to clear the debris off as a temporary solution
amccoy995
I'm new here
I'm new here
Posts: 7
Joined: Sun 23 May, 2021 14:08
My Pool: 30K gallon, in-ground, Hayward sand filter S244t

Re: Low skimmer suction

Postby amccoy995 » Tue 25 May, 2021 15:17

My husband didn't take it apart but said he was able to reach in and spin the impellor. Is there something he should look for that he needs to take it apart to find?
amccoy995
I'm new here
I'm new here
Posts: 7
Joined: Sun 23 May, 2021 14:08
My Pool: 30K gallon, in-ground, Hayward sand filter S244t

Re: Low skimmer suction

Postby amccoy995 » Tue 25 May, 2021 16:56

He just took the pump apart and said that everything is fine there.
Denniswiseman
Pool Industry Leader
Pool Industry Leader
Posts: 2592
Joined: Tue 06 Sep, 2011 05:48
My Pool: 10k inground fibreglass, Telescopic Cover, Hayward Powerline pump, Quality filter with glass media, 27kw output heat pump, K-2006C test kit
Location: United Kingdom

Re: Low skimmer suction

Postby Denniswiseman » Tue 25 May, 2021 16:57

You need to disassemble the pump to check that there isn't any blockage in the impellor
There should be 4 or 5 bolts holding it together
amccoy995
I'm new here
I'm new here
Posts: 7
Joined: Sun 23 May, 2021 14:08
My Pool: 30K gallon, in-ground, Hayward sand filter S244t

Re: Low skimmer suction

Postby amccoy995 » Wed 26 May, 2021 06:36

He did that, there’s no blockage

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