Low Pressure

[Krystle]

Hi my pool problem is that the pressure goes down to zero when we connect the pool cleaner. THe pump and filter are brand new. and the filter has good pressure ~12psi when in filter mode. Any ideas?

[yb]

Stacy, it's likely mud is plugging the pump impeller. It needs to be cleaned out, which takes a few minutes when you know how.

Krystle, is this the first time you use the vacuum? The vacuum hose needs to be filled with water before you connect it, otherwise the pump will suck air (result: no pressure) and won't be able to prime itself.

Try to fill the vacuum hose from the filter outlet before connecting it. Keep all of the hose under the water level, lift one end out only to connect it as quickly as possible.

[jwest2044]

I came home the other day to find my pool cleaner out of the pool and sucking air. I turned the pump off, put the cleaner back in the pool. When I turned the pump back on I no longer have any filter gauge pressure and I can't get the suction back in the pool. Help.

[KurtKanaskie]

Wow, gotta love it, second click after my search "hayward pump loss of pressure" and lo and behold, this is the problem. Pine needles plus the remains of a white nylon gasket, 1.5 - 2 inch diameter about 3/8 inch in tubular length. Hmmm, no way this got through the skimmer basket. Now, where to find the replacement part. Ideas?

[Gregory]

Thanks. I was having a similar problem. Opened the top of the sand filter and found the center tube loose and the seat was broken by about a 1/4 to 1/2 inch. Reversed the tube after emptying the sand and replaceing it with new sand. Still had the low pressure problem. Reached in and found the debri behind the catch basket like others have said. Went back to the correct psi immediately.

[conniejo]

i have an inground vinyl pool with a sand pump and i have usually a pressure of 10. today it is 0. water is coming into the pool returns. i dont know what the problem is. i have greased the gaskets. it still is 0. cant find a leak.

[the novice]

What a great post. My pump pressure dropped dramatically and my cleaner had no pressure. i was going to call the pool guy, but after reading this forum took out the basket and checked the pump impeller - full of pine needles and hair. Problem now solved!

[Cameron Park]

Thank you, thank you, thank you. Exactly the problem.

[Sunbaked]

Great Posts....My basket just ahead of the pump is worn and cracked. My back pressure had recently dropped from 16 psi to about 6 psi. The open crack in the basket had allowed debris to enter the impeller blocking some of the ports. It was easy to pull off and clean. Put it back on and it's back at 16 psi and works great! I'm heading to the store tomorrow to get a new basket.

[Larry]

Baskets with a simple split can be "woven" together with fishing line, which can add another few months to their life.

Larry

[rwfbird]

I continue to have low preasure 8 psi. The motor is new, Impeller is clean, I have check all values for and blockage and I have replaced the O-Rings. Does anyone have any other suggestions? Thanks

[czechmate]

8 psi is about 2 pounds lower than most DE filter systems running without the DE media.
I would make sure there is no bypass of filter involved.
But was going to respond to problems with baskets initially.
Baskets that are full of leaves and debris cannot pass sufficient flow that the suction of pump demands.
So sooner or later, the bottom will start breaking of the basket. Same applies to a pump strainer.
It is the most easy maintenance around the pool that even the kids can do on regular basis.
The debris and leaves are exposed to a great force of rushing water, that strips and deposit decomposed particles into the filter, adding phosphates into the water as a potential food for algae.
Same occur in a Polaris bag left uncleaned for a week.
The fact, that the junk is in the bag does not mean that we cleaned the pool!!

[MARTIN]

Creepy crawley stops working after two minutes cant understand why please help

[czechmate]

You need to give a bit more info.
Is the booster pump still running after 2 minutes?
What is the back pressure on the filter?

[Nancy Gua]

I have a inground pool. I have air bubbles coming out the returns. someone told me it could be the O ring on the lid of my pump. Also when the filter goes off the DE comes out the main drain at the bottom of the pool. i also notice this season when i closed the pool the main drain at the bottom of the pool did not blow. Please Help.