Low Pressure

[Newbie]

I recently noticed the pressure gauge on top of the pool filter marks around 5 PSI. When the pool was first completed in November 2004, it would normally read around 20 PSI, and would drop maybe to 18 PSI immediately after backflushing. The low pressure is effecting the Kreepy Krauley and the waterfall. Any ideas as to the cause and a solution that I could handle rather than calling for repairs.

[Pool Help]

Sounds like the pump. Suction is weak and pressure is low.

Check the obvious - blockages or obstructions in the skimmer or suction line, broken, damaged or clogged pump impeller, clogged pump basket, ...

The problem is between the suction inlet and the pump housing. It may even be that the pump motor has gone "lazy" and wants some love and attention - bearings, gasket, ...

[Newbi]

Problem solved. There was a small black rubber seal about 2 inches in diameter that was inside the pump. The repair man removed the pump basket, reached in and pulled out the obstruction. Problem immediately solved, the pressure went back to the normal 20 PSI mark. Now, the only problem is figuring out where that rubber piece came from. The repairman didnt offer any clues.

[kccats]

Just found this site after having several problems at once over the last few days.
My presure dropped to 10 from 20 and after reading this thread, pulled off the basket from the pump, stuck my hand in the pump opening and found a mixture of pine needles and dog hair. Got it all out, fired it up and back to 20.

Thanks so much!

[PoolFixed]

Wow.. thanks so much for the tip on the pump... at first glance the pump basket looked clear. It wasn't until I stuck my hand into the pipe channel toward the filder that I could feel all the "stuff"... (of course I turned off the pump before doing so)... anyway. found dog hair and palm seedling (very fine seeds that made it thru the basket filter) clogged in the intake ... cleaned it out.. and pool is as good as new.. thank you so much.

[jblac1959]

Thank you so much. I reached in the pump tube and there was a big clump of grass. Removed it and now we are smooth sailing (or swimming as the case may be!!)

[hhdmiami]

We maintain our own pool and we came back from vacation to find the water pressure very low and the pool filling with algae. Instead of calling for a service call, I googled the problem, found this website & posting and tried a few solutions. I soon discovered five 1/4" palm seeds that had made it past the basket and filter impeding the impeller and outflow from filter. Cost = free.

Thanks for the help!

[moondawg]

I had low pressure at filter.Found this website after google search.Pulled out basket and found big clump of hair in piping just before filter.I thought I was going to have to buy new pump.Plus my wife thinks im soo smart!!
Thanks

[Kim]

Saw the posts about low pressure and thought someone may have an idea before I make a service call. I have been struggling with finding and sealing 2 leaks in the pvc piping and did so via my buddy the plumber. I've got a 2year old Hayward motor, and just replaced the filter, still the Psi is only about 10, normally runs about 20. I'm unable to use the vacuum at this psi. Any ideas?
Thanks!

[granite]

Situation: 16 x32 inground with vinyl liner, 1&1/2 hp super pump new this season, 300lb sand filter. All is fine when pump is running in filter mode, pressure approx 18psi. Psi drops to blo 10 when vacuuming and suction at the vacuum head is almost non-existent. Cannot detect above ground air leaks but considerable amount of air exits the eyeball outlets. Line between skimmer and pump inlet gets blown out with compressed air at closing to put skimmer plug in so don't think that line has blockage. Pool and all components put into operation in 1982 except for new super pump. Any ideas appreciated.

[ccswfl]

Hope someone can help, my pool pressure is very low, when searching I found this forum. I was very hopeful after reading the post in the tread that when we reached into pump opening that we would find junk clogging up the system but there was nothing, I have become one of Fl's unemployed & can't afford a service call, please are there any ideas as to what else we can check? Thank you

[superdoopie]

You could have a blockage in one of the pipes or valves before the pump. This could happen if you vacuumed a lot of leaves or small sticks out of the pool recently.

[Guest]

Hey there....I just came across this blog and thought I'd chime in. I had the same low PSI problems that many folks out here seem to have. I was down to zero psi on my T-60 filter. I tried all of the basic solutions - looking for obstructions, changing filters, etc, and never really had any success. Then I decided to take the pump apart and have a look at the impeller, where I found a bunch of leaves jammed in there. I cleaned it out with a cheap steak knife and my fingers - a one minute job. After lubing the seal and reconnecting the pump...Bingo. PSI was back to 12 - 15 range within minutes. After reading the posts here about this problem it seems that there are a lot of people who have gone through this. If you're thinking that the pump/impeller is something a pro should do and are reluctant to do yourself, I am telling you that it is a very simple job and go ahead and give it a try.

[Stacy]

Our pool was flooded with mud during a flash flood a couple weeks ago. We have managed to clean it out pretty well, but now the pressure is down to 10psi. The weird thing is that it's only low when it's in pool mode, but is fine in spa mode. We have cleaned the main valve, replaced the filters, made sure all the leave baskets are clear. Is there anything else we can check? Is there a way to clean the intakes at the bottom of the pool (deep end)?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

[bobbcat]

In my case it was a snake curled up inside the impeller. EW.

Glad I found this thread, before which I had not thought of obstructions in the impeller. Word to the wise: When vacuuming your pool manually, ALWAYS go through the skimmer basket, as opposed to bypassing it.