Pool strainer full overnight, pump run dry

[bigchungus12]

Hi all, new to the forum and owning a pool, have a year old 30 ft round above grd 4.5 ft deep chlorine sand filter pool that came with my new house and was closed last year before buying, since opening this year on two occasion the strainer has became full over night with leaves and stringy pollen things from a tree close by (but not too close) causing the pump to run dry and loose prime. I have been checking and cleaning every morning to prevent this but it worries me if i ever go on vacation or miss a day if this happens again it will eventually burn up the pump? I am hoping this is just due to spring storms, wind and junk coming off trees. Any similar experiences or advice? thanks and know this is a lot of info, just being detailed.

[dynamictiger]

Whilst not inexpensive, there is a device called a flow switch. It would be best to install one with an inbuilt timer so can bypass its actions for prime. In the event of no flow it can switch the power off to the pump.

Not normally used domestically. You may need an industrial pump company to install this device.

[Teapot1]

Alternatively buy a cover. Nuff said.

[GreenCrow1]

I don't recommend this as a long term solution, but if your your pool has a suction outlet for a Kreepy Krauly device, I would hook it up with a clear plastic leaf catcher (like the Zodiac Cyclonic Leaf Canister) to provide a secondary source of water. Making sure that the buoyancy is correctly managed for the leaf canister is not easy, which is why I do not use it full time.

I am assuming your primary suction side water source is the skimmer. How is the bottom drain doing?