vacuum loses suction quickly

Curt · Postby **Curt** » Wed 29 Aug, 2007 20:32

You's guys need a robotic pool cleaner. throw it in the water and plug it in.

You may NEVER have to use the vacuum equipment again. Doesn't get any better than that.

Kelley67 · Postby **Kelley67** » Wed 24 Jun, 2009 14:10

I lose suction when using vaccuum and Kreepy Krauly. Really frustrated. 8 ft deep end still has algae cause we can't get it completely done> I will try a new o-ring on basket, seems like it spits water out when you turn on filter!! Thanks!

Postby **Denali** » Wed 24 Jun, 2009 14:13

Kelley67 wrote:I lose suction when using vaccuum and Kreepy Krauly. Really frustrated. 8 ft deep end still has algae cause we can't get it completely done> I will try a new o-ring on basket, seems like it spits water out when you turn on filter!! Thanks!

Hi,

If water is spitting out at the pump when you shut it off then you do want to check/replace the oring there. If you pick up a new oring then also pick up a lube to use on it. There are other areas to look for suction leaks but it sounds like you have already found it.

Good luck.

Guest · Postby **Guest** » Sat 05 Jun, 2010 14:59

I HAVE THEM SAME PROBLEM...AFTER A MINUTE OR SO I LOOSE SUCTION . WHAT COULD BE THE PROBLEM

Please help. I am desperate

I need advice please. I have the same problem with my pool. Good suction when I backwash and when I connect my poolcleaner, the pool cleaner works well. That last however for only about 1 hour, then there is about no more suction, and the pool cleaner stands still. What I have notice is that when the pool cleaner is disconnected the basket at the pump is running full of water, like it is suppose to do. When I connect the pool cleaner however, the basket runs empty, and about all suction is gone. Please, I need advice what to do to correct the problem.

Ideal homes · Postby **Ideal homes** » Tue 19 Apr, 2011 17:43

I have the same problem great suction for about 10 minutes then the barracuda just stops and the pressure in the filter is high which means it has to be cleaned. The problem is I just cleaned the filter with no DE for more suction. If I back flush the system it works for about 10 more minutes. I have proper water level in the pool, no air leaks no obstructions as far as I can see and yet no suction after about 10 minutes. If everyone is having the same problem you would think someone would know something about it. I haven't read any good answers here yet. Somebody please HELP us all out with some good info.
Thanks in advance Jim C.

Poolio · Postby **Poolio** » Thu 21 Apr, 2011 23:10

Ideal homes wrote:The problem is I just cleaned the filter with no DE for more suction. If I back flush the system it works for about 10 more minutes.

I don't understand this. do you mean that you backwashed the filter and then didn't add more DE?

billy5865 · Postby **billy5865** » Sun 29 May, 2011 13:20

Kenny wrote:When I'm vacuuming my above ground pool, I start with real good suction power. Within 2 or 3 minutes, I have lost all suction. I backwash the filter, but the backwashed water isn't very dirty. I start vacuuming again and have real good suction for another 2 or 3 minutes, but again, I lose sucking power. I backwash again, and again I have good sucking power for a couple of minutes. I have not had this problem in past years.
Do I have a problem with my pump or filter?
Thanks,
Kenny

shelyn · Postby **shelyn** » Tue 07 Jun, 2011 20:42

Same thing happening to us. Air pressure at optimum, hook up vacuum works for less than five minutes then nothing. No holes in the hose. Pressure spikes and no air return into the pool. Backwash, works again for a few minutes and same problem returns. We have a sand filter so we replaced all the sand thinking that might help but nothing. Hoping someone can assist.

SPMG · Postby **SPMG** » Wed 08 Jun, 2011 10:25

StarterPoolUser wrote:Thanks, Backglass. I don't notice a difference when I backwash or rinse. I'm basically just doing that (backwash/rinse) to throw off the pump and get it started again (similar to rebooting a computer!). It seems to work, so that's what I do each time.

I've taken apart the entire vacuum and found no leaks/issues with it ( I have a DirtDevil pool vacuum for above ground pools).

I haven't thgought of checking the fittings around the pump -- honestly, I'm afraid to mess with any of those connections since I'm not sure what to do if I mess things up.

When the installers came to install the pool last summer, all they left me with was one sheet of paper with very vague drawings and instructions. I thought I would have gotten a "users manual" or something! lol

Do you, by any chance, know if something like that exists for real novice pool owners like myself?

I appreciate the help and any feedback you can continue to provide. Enjoy your weekend!

Hello everyone (this is a popular subject, isn't it?)

First check for calcification on the pool surfaces.
If your pool walls are calcified then so also is the sand in the filter.
Filter and pool-surface calcification are caused by high pH - 8.6 or above at some point in the pools history.
read about the importance of pH here -

Filter calcification causes the sand to turn to stone and this typically happens from the outside in; as it does so the number of channels through the sand becomes reduced. Next what happens is the filter has just a few open spaces inside it (that are filled with loose sand that is capable of filtering) and all the rest is rocks!
Open the filter and check the sand - it should feel like soft sugar and be completely free of lumps.

The visible symptoms of filter calcification are: -
A very short time of operation before a backwash is needed,
Not much dirt being flushed out during a backwash,
High filter pressure.

The solution is to change the sand and get the pH correct asap.
Learn how to do this here -

Also try setting the selector valve to 'circulate' and then vacuuming the pool. This is best done with a clean pool or you'll make the water cloudy.

If you can continue to vacuum the pool with the valve set to 'circulation' then it is 100% certain that the problem lies within the filter.

Good luck with your pool.

SPMG

tdfuller · Postby **tdfuller** » Wed 08 Jun, 2011 10:39

I am going to try to the small plastic bag sucked through the skimmer first, to see if I have a partial blockage in my line going from skimmer to pump. I only have low suction while vacuuming.

Alicec2prz · Postby **Alicec2prz** » Wed 08 Jun, 2011 11:09

tdfuller wrote:I am going to try to the small plastic bag sucked through the skimmer first, to see if I have a partial blockage in my line going from skimmer to pump. I only have low suction while vacuuming.

also never experienced it and it does not matter and what you are doing the same as what I do first. :thumbup:

shelyn · Postby **shelyn** » Wed 08 Jun, 2011 18:32

Tried everything suggested and still a no go. Only other thing I can think of is possibly the hoses need to be replaced. They are old. I can't see them leaking anywhere but not sure what else to do at this point and don't want to replace everything...

doglover · Postby **doglover** » Fri 15 Jul, 2011 11:04

People, it's not your pool, it's the Dirt Devil..it sucks - or rather, doesn't suck! You can google it, everyone has this problem with it, me included.

MKeller · Postby **MKeller** » Tue 19 Jul, 2011 13:10

As most the issues I see posted above, I am having the same issue with vaccuming my above-ground pool, I have replaced the sand, see no leaks- however did replace all hoses. I have cleaned the basket and check skimmer intake for blockage. I have good circulation and I can vaccum the pool for about 7-10 minutes and then no more suction. I replaced the bottom vinyl pad on the Creep Crawler and still an issue, I also bought a vaccum to use by hand and does same thing...I replaced the pump
and basket assembly last year. I see some suggestions in the posts anything else I should try or investigate?