Low Pressure

[Glenn in Morgantown, PA]

New to pool ownership but an old pilot so when I saw the sudden drop in pressure I suspected some kind of clogagge. I tried everything with no luck. Then I came to this site. Sure enough, when I checked inside the pump housing there was all kinds of FOD around the impellor. Viola! Everything is back to normal. Thanks.
PS. When I answered the question about how many m's in swimming I said "2 but if you read it upside down there is only one".I had to re-answer. I still maintain that is a very human answer.

[owhataSavior]

The culprit for me was a small, lodged twig! Thanks for the help!

[pdinphx]

Thank you, thank you, thank you !!!

I am reviving this thread after almost 4 years ... apparently, pool design hasn't changed all that much. Same problem as everyone else -- unusually low pump pressure and no action from the pool robot.

Removed the pump basket, fished around and found a tennis ball's worth of leaves, dog hair and other detritus ... cleared it out and now everything is back to normal.

Thank you, thank you, thank you !!!

[Rkb]

I just had a brand new pump installed. The pool guy said I should backwash the filter. Since I did that the pressure seems to be lower. I can't tell for sure because my pressure gauge is broken. Any suggestions? I put in 8 cans of DE rather than the usual 10 per his instruction. It's only been a couple of days. I would think back washing the filter would improve pressure?

[dee99999]

Had same problem - had pressure immediately when filter was first plugged in, and then it dropped down to nothing. I checked the impeller (as everyone suggests), and it was fine. It was a pain in the butt to get to the two screws at the bottom, but I eventually got them off. Next, I drained the filter (took the drain plug off, and just let the water out.) Then I unscrewed all of the screws on the top of the filter, and took the lid off. There was clumps of DE (probably old stuff) caked in between the tubes that hang down. I cleaned that all out (with a garden hose), and then screwed the lid back on. Hooked up hoses again, and VOILA! problem solved. P.S. I did it myself, while hubby watched tv...

[Randy]

Took the basket out, reached into pump inlet and pulled out pine needles, hair, and seeds. Pressure went from 10 to 25 psi. Thanks much for the info.

[js construction]

I have a sta-rite cartridge filter, I noticed that the algae was coming back into the pool through the jets when I vacuumed. Everything was fine 'til the pressure reached about 15 lbs (operates at 10 lbs with a clean filter).
something lets loose, the pressure drops to 10 lbs and the pool fills with algae. I replaced the filters thinking that there was a split in the filter somewhere, the same thing happened. I checked the o-rings put a little white grease on them and no change. I can't see or feel any crack in the pvc base that the filters plug into.
Any thoughts???

[larryb]

I was having the same problem with my Hayward pump. Took the filter basket out and reached in, but couldn't get ahold of everything. I did manage to get enough out to get the pressure back up.

[briano]

Thank you all. I was going to call a few pool companies to see how much they would charge to come out and replace the pump as I was convinced it was old and beyond its useful life. I had already pulled out the pump filter and cleaned behind it. However, after reading all your comments, I went back out, pulled out the filter and really reached into the pipe between the filter and the pump and really dug around in there. I found another clump (almost looked like a nest) of weeping willow leaves and other debris. Once that was out, the pump is providing about 12 PSI more pressure and all the water features are working perfectly. THANK YOU!!!

[B Busque]

Thanks so much for this post. Had the same problem, pressure down to 5 psi from 15. Pulled out the basket, reached behind and pulled out a ton of pine needles. Put the basket back in, fired her up, and back at 15 psi. So simple, fast and INEXPENSIVE!

[Bummed the pool ain't workin]

We had low pressure..no suction, spa wasn't working. Went on line and found this help forum. Tried the suggestions about clearing the basket and wouldn't ya know it, there was debris blocking it.
Pool is now working, pressure back up and spa is working. Thanks!!!

[kumar]

Finally, I did it. I flushed the inlet line but did not help at all. So, I thought that pump is just churning water but not building pressure. So, I opened the pump and removed the impeller cover. I could see that fine debris was clogging the inlet. I removed the cover then cleaned all the debris including impeller, then reassembled the pump. Pressure build up immediately upon starting and its working fine now. Removing impeller is really easy. Just loosen the C-Clamp by unscrewing it then pull it out. Be Sure to put the control on service mode prior to opening the impeller. Also, do not forget to put pool vaseline on the o-ring and joints. good luck.

[tboneshell]

Awesome post. My pressure was down to 2. Found this post, took the pump apart and sure enough, I found a bunch of junk in the impeller. I was going to post a pic but I guess I can't. Very easy to do, even for the inexperienced. Just use the manual for your pump and follow the procedures for removing the diffuser and impeller and then put it back together in the opposite way. My pump doesn't sound like a garbage disposal trying to crush rocks anymore, it's sounds like it did during the first start up, smooth as silk.

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[Ramsden]

Just like to say thanks a lot cleaned out the pipe and pump saved me a new pump that's what pool man said I wanted