Returns stop shooting out water

Pool pumps, pool filters and the plumbing of
swimming pools. Sand filters, cartridge filters,
fabric filters and alternative filter media.
Vickie30361
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My Pool: Inground 20' x 40'
Location: New York

Returns stop shooting out water

Postby Vickie30361 » Thu 14 Jun, 2012 22:23

Please help.... I have an inground pool that has worked great for 3 years this year the pressure starts at 18 and goes up to 25 lbs. this happens after only 3 or 4 hours and the water completely stops shooting out of the returns and my automatic vacuum stops working, the vacuum has its own pump. I tried back washing the filter repeatedly, I took it apart and washed it out well. This still keeps happening. I would greatly appreciate any suggestions! Thank you!


TSH Tech

Returns stop shooting out water

Postby TSH Tech » Fri 15 Jun, 2012 19:13

Clean out the pump debris basket as well if you haven't already done so. Check to see if any valves that control your water return functions weren't accidently turned to "off" or the wrong way.

You need to give more information here, what type of filter do you have? DE/Cartridge/Sand??

This is my initial guess given the fact I don't have much to go on here:
You say you backwashed and cleaned something, cleaned what exactly? Something was taken out and cleaned or is backwashing and cleaning one in the same? 3-4 hours then the water stops completely? or just comes out very slowly with weak flow?
Ok, backwash and cleaning, I'm guessing you have a D.E. filter, yes? If you have a D.E. filter and the flow starts out good then gets very weak, then your filter grids are dirty with oils or tree sap, which will cause weak flow in a pool filter system. To clean the oils/sap you need a liquid filter cleaner which you can get at a pool store. It comes in a spray bottle. When you disassemble and clean your grids, spray the cleaner on the bare grid fabric and let it soak for about 5 minutes, then spray off your grids. Put the filter back together, recharge your filter with clean DE and you should have your flow back again. The same cleaning procedure goes with a cartridge filter, only you don't recharge the filter with DE.

If you have done all of what I have said above, but there's still no flow, you need to include more detail, or if there is no time and the pool is starting to turn cloudy and green on you, perhaps you may need to call a pool technician to sort out the problem before your pool gets away from you and turns green.
Vickie30361
I'm new here
I'm new here
Posts: 8
Joined: Thu 14 Jun, 2012 21:50
My Pool: Inground 20' x 40'
Location: New York

Returns stop shooting out water

Postby Vickie30361 » Fri 15 Jun, 2012 20:33

Thank you so much for responding, I have a de filter. I have backwashed it repeatedly. I took the filter apart and washed the inside which is a cartidge like thing with fins. When I put it back together the filter works ok for like 3 or 4 hours and then it stops shooting out of the returns completely. After being off and being backwashed the filter works again for a few hours. I will try the spray you are talking about tomorrow, is it any one in particular? Thank you so much for your help!
Guest

Returns stop shooting out water

Postby Guest » Fri 15 Jun, 2012 22:41

No problem! :wink:

"Filter Blaster" is the name of the filter cleaner spray, some pool stores carry it, others do not.

IF, for some bizarre reason you cannot find it, there is an alternative. If you can locate a household cleaner/degreaser called: "LA's Awsome Orange" or LA's Oxygen Awsome Orange", use this spray cleaner straight on the filter grids, don't mix dilute it.
And if for some reason, you cannot locate the Orange product, "Simple Green" will suffice.

The reason I mention these products above, is that if for some reason you don't entirely rinse out the cleaner from the filter grids, if it gets back into the pool, these products will not throw your pool water chemistry out of balance or do weird things if it gets into the pool. Harsh soaps, laundry detergent, dish wash soap always mess with the chemical balance slightly and leave an annoying foam on top of the pool water.
Vickie30361
I'm new here
I'm new here
Posts: 8
Joined: Thu 14 Jun, 2012 21:50
My Pool: Inground 20' x 40'
Location: New York

Returns stop shooting out water

Postby Vickie30361 » Sat 16 Jun, 2012 09:00

Thank you so much I was able to get the LA's orange I'm going to try it this afternoon!! I can not thank you enough for your time and help! I am so grateful! I will let you know how I do. Thank you again!!
Vickie30361
I'm new here
I'm new here
Posts: 8
Joined: Thu 14 Jun, 2012 21:50
My Pool: Inground 20' x 40'
Location: New York

Returns stop shooting out water

Postby Vickie30361 » Thu 21 Jun, 2012 11:34

So I cleaned my filter cartridge twice with LA's orange and simple green the filter still only works for a few hours then the pressure goes to high. If i Leave the filter off for a few hours and then turn it back on it will work for a few hours again. There is no chlorine in the pool either the level is zero even tho I shocked the pool with powder shock 3 times in the past week... I don't know what to do next I am contemplating acid wash .... Please any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!
TSH Tech

Returns stop shooting out water

Postby TSH Tech » Thu 21 Jun, 2012 15:01

The pool got away from you.

First, an acid wash will not get rid of the green. An acid wash is only a cosmetic brightener. Chlorine wash will get rid of the green algae. If you're planning on spending that kind of money, I'd recommend getting a pool tech out for a 1 time call to diagnose your pool. Troublshooting over the internet can only accomplish so much, as it's not the same as being there.
If you've cleaned the filter then you must have some other blockage issues. I can probe for more info but at this stage, your pool is only going to get greener. For the sake of your pool and nipping the problem before it gets out of hand and too costly, I'd suggest getting a technician out to your pool.
Vickie30361
I'm new here
I'm new here
Posts: 8
Joined: Thu 14 Jun, 2012 21:50
My Pool: Inground 20' x 40'
Location: New York

Returns stop shooting out water

Postby Vickie30361 » Thu 21 Jun, 2012 16:57

I think I did not explain my problem right the pool is very blue with just a bit of algae on some places the filter just keeps building pressure after a few hours. After shutting it off for a few hours the filter pressure starts at 20 psi and builds over 3-4 hours to 28 and the water stops shoooting out of the returns. Cleaning the cartridge a few times has not helped, someone told me my cartridge could be bad .... Is that possible?
TSH Tech

Returns stop shooting out water

Postby TSH Tech » Thu 21 Jun, 2012 21:19

This is good feedback!
Yes, that is a symptom of a cartridge that has seen better days. The filter media collects a certain amount of calcium buildup which does not come out with regular hose cleaning, the media begins to swell over time and water becomes difficult to pass through giving unusually high pressure. Indeed, this is a possibility.
Vickie30361
I'm new here
I'm new here
Posts: 8
Joined: Thu 14 Jun, 2012 21:50
My Pool: Inground 20' x 40'
Location: New York

Returns stop shooting out water

Postby Vickie30361 » Sat 23 Jun, 2012 07:59

So the filter was taken apart and cleaned with a mild acid solution and is in great condition but the pool still is building pressure after three to four hours... Shut it off for a bit and it works again for a few hours.... Whä else could be going on? I'm so frustrated.
TSH Tech

Returns stop shooting out water

Postby TSH Tech » Sat 23 Jun, 2012 17:43

Vickie30361 wrote:So the filter was taken apart and cleaned with a mild acid solution and is in great condition but the pool still is building pressure after three to four hours... Shut it off for a bit and it works again for a few hours.... Whä else could be going on? I'm so frustrated.


What is the make/model of your filter? and pool pump?

What is the Horsepower rating of your pool pump?

Do you remember this phenomenon ever happening before? What was your pressure reading when your filter was new versus when this started happening now? Had any new work been performed on the pool equipment?

And despite all of this, your pool water remains clear? or fades cloudy?

The problem here primarily is filter pressure combined with pool water clarity starting to decline? or pressure only?

Take a picture of your pool equipment and post it?
Vickie30361
I'm new here
I'm new here
Posts: 8
Joined: Thu 14 Jun, 2012 21:50
My Pool: Inground 20' x 40'
Location: New York

Returns stop shooting out water

Postby Vickie30361 » Sat 23 Jun, 2012 18:46

I have a Hayward de 4820 pool filter and a Hayward super pump 1 1/2 horse power. There has not been any work done on the pool since it has been installed four years ago. The pressure when it was first Installed was between 12-15 psi and now it runs at 18-28 psi. When the pressure goes higher the water stops shooting out of the returns. I also have a Polaris vacuum in the pool that has its own pump. The Polaris also stops circulating when the pressure goes to high. The water is clearing up but is still a little cloudy. I put a lot of shock in the pool about 10-12 bags of powder. The problem is that the pressure is going too high so the water stops filtering and becomes cloudy and dirty. When the filter is off for an hour or so and then turned back on it filters properly again but only for 3-4 hours. I'm sorry I'm not sure how to post pictures.... Thank you for your help.
TSH Tech

Returns stop shooting out water

Postby TSH Tech » Sat 23 Jun, 2012 22:26

1.5 hp pump... solar heating or no?

With a 48 Sq.Ft. DE filter, that is a large residential pool filter and should filter a pool with ease.

You are describing a similar symptom of one of my clients that also has a ProGrid DE filter. As I describe my clients pool, see if this sounds similar; Every year I go round and round with my client to cut his tree back away from the pool. He has a tree planted near his pool that drips this awful sticky sap. This sap drips into the pool and drips on his pool deck leaving the deck under the tree "sticky". This sap makes its way into the filter and clogs it up, causing his returns lines to sort of ooze out water rather than jet water out. His pool doesn't filter and turns cloudy and begins to develop yellow algae on the sides of the walls. If I go and backwash the filter, I can get some of the sap to wash out with the DE, but the problem is this, his filter pressure starts out at 15 lbs, then begins to increase to nearly 30 pounds of pressure. The problem is inside the filter, tree sap has clogged the filter grids. At that point, I have to completely disassemble the filter grids and by disassemble, I have to unscrew the main bolt that holds them all together, take out the grids one by one, lay them out on the lawn and individually clean each filter grid with cleaner spray and high pressure hose nozzle. IF I just clean the grids still assembled, I only get partial cleaning results and the problem with pressure and lack of filtration starts all over again, as though I never cleaned it. Once put back together again, with new DE, his filter pressure is normal again around 17 pounds. My client gets the gardeners to cut the tree back so the branches are no longer over the pool and his pool is crystal clear with good excellent water flow, at least, until that damn tree grows back again in the Springtime.
~
Have you performed a thorough cleaning like this?
Inspection:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmCmHJG5tH4
Reassembly:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyEfEtUog-A
Vickie30361
I'm new here
I'm new here
Posts: 8
Joined: Thu 14 Jun, 2012 21:50
My Pool: Inground 20' x 40'
Location: New York

Returns stop shooting out water

Postby Vickie30361 » Mon 25 Jun, 2012 07:33

Thank you do much I took the filter apart and there was black stuff all inside. I recleaned it and it works great now. We have no trees by our house at all but the pool cover was very green and we had ducks visit us every day. I guess that's wht clOgged everything. Thank you so much for your help!!!
TSH Tech

Returns stop shooting out water

Postby TSH Tech » Mon 25 Jun, 2012 10:32

:thumbup:

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