Swimming pool question - Page 2

Our scimmers arnt working, pool man has looked and is coming back sometime to pressure clean. The pool has a black water edge and steps, are we safe to use it and how can we clean it without emptying it to regrout? Please

Hi Ajip

The cap at the top of the filter is either screw on or bolt on.  In either case you must tighten both as I suspect that that is the problem.  Let us know how you get on.

Kind regards

Richard

Hello Richard Thanks for getting back to me, everything is airtight regarding the pump and the sandfilter all gaskets been changed and all the valves have been checked. I have had the lines pressure tested but still cannot find how air is still getting in. Alan.

Hi Alan

Sometimes the Spanish do not put PTFE tape on the pressure gauge, try tightening it or otherwise unscrew it and check, have some more tape handy.....   The other common problem is the suction outlet.   Buy some 2 pack polyputty and put it around the fitting, costs about 3 euros.  I bet that does the job!!

Best of luck!

My pool has been leaking and today I had a pressure test done which is quite expensive. The problem is the bottom drain which to cut costs the pool people can put a bung in to stop leaking and the pool can run ok. Otherwise I have to let them dig down to find the leak which I'm reluctant to do. Is this helpful?

Hi Norrie

Try the sealant around the skimmer port, costs little, could save you a lot!

Digging down to find the leak could result in major excavation, but if you don't get it sorted then the lower water in the pool won't get circulated properly, which could result in problems. A good pool man will just dig down enough to block off the existing pipe, and will then do some excavation of the pool floor and wall so a new pipe can be run to the pump cassette. It's a major job, but not as bad as excavating the original pipe to find out where the problem is.

Alan - just a thought. When you changed the spider gasket on the multi-port valve, did you also change the seal on the shaft of the valve?

Hello Jim, I didn't change the seal on the shaft. I have found that if I open the skimmer valve fully and the main drain valve to half open the pump stays primed but still has air in the system and get large bubbles coming out of the return jets for around 5 seconds.I dont have any sign of water leaks in the pump house or around the multivalve I'm also thinking of getting the system pressure tested again. I have tried all whats been suggested and grateful for all the help given. Thanks again Alan. p.s I will change the seal on the shaft.

Hi, Just a couple of ideas.  Has your filter system and pump been raised up at any time. Some people are tempted to do this with in ground pools, because you have to get on your hands and knees to work the valves, clean the filter ect. Make sure that the water in the pool is up to the centre of the filter slot. Open the filter valve in the pump box, and unscrew the pump filter top. Water should flow out ( may need a mop and bucket). Close the valve. If water flowed out OK, right height.

Check the rubber seal on the filter top, and tighten well, so no air can get in.

When you vacuum, alot of air gets in the system. When I first start I leave the filter valve half open. So that the pump gets water while sucking the air through the vacuum hose. You can hear when the air stops, then close the filter valve.

NEVER turn the directional valve to backwash with the pump running, always switch off first before touching this valve.

Always switch off before removing the vacuum hose, and turn off the vacuum valve before starting again so no air gets in.

Just a few ideas, as I have been looking after my pool for 14 years. As you say, It should be a sealed system.