Pool pump issue

[Djin]

I seem to have a weird issue with my pool pump. It slows down to a crawl after about a hour of usage. In my experience, a good back wash sorts this out. It goes back to pumping like normal, only to slow down again after a while.

Now I suspect the reason for this is due to me only backwashing for about a minute. (I look at that little plastic window and run the backwash until it is clear of gunk.) Then rinse for another minute and then go back to filter. I am doing this specifically to save water. I suspect a good 5 minute backwash will resolve this but if that window is clear when back washing does it not mean that it is done?

I was contemplating doing this:
Run backwash for about a minute. Then switch off. Let the filter settle for about 20 minutes, then repeat until backwash runs completely clear from startup. This may take about 5 - 6 tries. But I'm hoping this would be more effective and use less water.

Question is, would that be worth it? And would running the backwash for 5 - 6 minutes straight equate to the same thing?

 

[chewiesw]

Check your o-ring on the filter and also your wagon wheel they may have perished and need to be replaced.

 

[Djin]

The motor is relatively new. About +- 18 months.

The wagonwheel could be the issue, as my gardener broke the handle a few months ago, and I had to open it out and set it correctly. (it was stuck in between the nodes.)

Do I replace just the seal or the entire unit? The seal I can diy. The entire unit will require professional assistance.

 

[karnuffel]

When was the last time you've changed your filter sand?

 

[Djin]

When was the last time you've changed your filter sand?

Also about 1.8 months ago. I had major issues and had professionals, redo everything. Pump, sand. etc.

 

[karnuffel]

Also about 1.8 months ago. I had major issues and had professionals, redo everything. Pump, sand. etc.

Try opening your filer at the top, check for a layer of crap on top of your sanf. If there is a bit of a layer, scoop it out or disrupt (cant think of a better word) it, replace the lid and do a proper backwash. Not an expert but it worked for me.

 

[Djin]

Try opening your filer at the top, check for a layer of crap on top of your sanf. If there is a bit of a layer, scoop it out or disrupt (cant think of a better word) it, replace the lid and do a proper backwash. Not an expert but it worked for me.

Thanks, its worth a shot.

I had endless issues at my old house as the pool had allot of trees around it (bottlebrush specifically) So that crap constantly clogged up the filtration system. However my new spot is clear of all debris. The basket is seldom full even after inspecting after a month.

I've never experienced a pump starting off super strong and then slowing slowing down. Its either slow, or not.

 

[rrh]

I seem to have a weird issue with my pool pump. It slows down to a crawl after about a hour of usage. In my experience, a good back wash sorts this out. It goes back to pumping like normal, only to slow down again after a while.

I had a similar issue that was eventually resolved by having the pump serviced. We also found some cr*p in the pump itself.

 

[sh3rIIf]

you most likely have a leak

i had the exact same issue. pool company checked pump, filter, sand and eventually came to conclusion that there is just too much crap in the pool. filter gets clogged and like you said a good backwash then sorts it out. this went on for months without ever getting better

eventually one day while back washing i saw water coming out of the pipe coming from the pool. it was a about a meter or so from the pump and just before going underneath the ground. was hard to spot, turns out it was a tiny leak

i spotted it when i swithced the pump off after the backwash. the pressure would then push back water which revealed the leak

sealed it and have not had a problem since, even when the filter sand is dirty/clogged

 

[touch_stone]

It could be your mechanical seal on the pump however you'd have noticed water leaking from the shaft.

It could also be the wagon wheel gasket in the multi port valve which is faulty, as a sign water will run from backwash pipe when the filter on the filter setting.

 

[SeRpEnT]

Check your o-ring on the filter and also your wagon wheel they may have perished and need to be replaced.

Wagon wheel?

 

[SeRpEnT]

I seem to have a weird issue with my pool pump. It slows down to a crawl after about a hour of usage. In my experience, a good back wash sorts this out. It goes back to pumping like normal, only to slow down again after a while.

Now I suspect the reason for this is due to me only backwashing for about a minute. (I look at that little plastic window and run the backwash until it is clear of gunk.) Then rinse for another minute and then go back to filter. I am doing this specifically to save water. I suspect a good 5 minute backwash will resolve this but if that window is clear when back washing does it not mean that it is done?

I was contemplating doing this:
Run backwash for about a minute. Then switch off. Let the filter settle for about 20 minutes, then repeat until backwash runs completely clear from startup. This may take about 5 - 6 tries. But I'm hoping this would be more effective and use less water.

Question is, would that be worth it? And would running the backwash for 5 - 6 minutes straight equate to the same thing?

Do you ever use the RINSE cycle?

 

[SeRpEnT]

It could be your mechanical seal on the pump however you'd have noticed water leaking from the shaft.

It could also be the wagon wheel gasket in the multi port valve which is faulty, as a sign water will run from backwash pipe when the filter on the filter setting.

My multiport valve is leaking.
Water slowly dripping out of the area where the handle is.

I wonder how hard it is to fix? I guess it could either be an o-ring, or maybe a misaligned or cracked handle mechanism? I'm not the most DIY person out there, and will have to think twice before I attempt opening it up.

 

[Polly101]

My multiport valve is leaking.
Water slowly dripping out of the area where the handle is.

I wonder how hard it is to fix? I guess it could either be an o-ring, or maybe a misaligned or cracked handle mechanism? I'm not the most DIY person out there, and will have to think twice before I attempt opening it up.

easy
turn off, unscrew, take old rubber gasket to pool shop, purchase matching one, refit, rescrew

even a girl can do it!

 

[MagicDude4Eva]

Anyone got a reliable pool repair company which does leak detection in the Fourways area? Pool water level is dropping even without the pump going and water level stays slightly below weir inlet. A "professional pool repair company" has told me it is the mosaics and the whole pool needs to be revamped. My newb impression is that since the water-level never drops below the mosaics it is the weir or the pipes. At worst it should be a full replacement of weir + pipes but not a full recoat of the pool.

 

[Djin]

you most likely have a leak

i had the exact same issue. pool company checked pump, filter, sand and eventually came to conclusion that there is just too much crap in the pool. filter gets clogged and like you said a good backwash then sorts it out. this went on for months without ever getting better

eventually one day while back washing i saw water coming out of the pipe coming from the pool. it was a about a meter or so from the pump and just before going underneath the ground. was hard to spot, turns out it was a tiny leak

i spotted it when i swithced the pump off after the backwash. the pressure would then push back water which revealed the leak

sealed it and have not had a problem since, even when the filter sand is dirty/clogged

I'm also kind of leaning towards this. I have notice the water level drop especially when the pump is running. The is a bit of water coming out the wagen wheel, so I need to start there I guess.

I really I'm not DIY inclined. But sorting out the handle was easy enough so I will give it a bash.

Problem with most pool experts I've dealt with is they all are looking to redo my entire pool. No real effort in resolving the issue other than quoting on a relining. R30- R40k seems far more attractive than a couple hundred bux I guess.

 

[Sepeng]

Anyone got a reliable pool repair company which does leak detection in the Fourways area? Pool water level is dropping even without the pump going and water level stays slightly below weir inlet. A "professional pool repair company" has told me it is the mosaics and the whole pool needs to be revamped. My newb impression is that since the water-level never drops below the mosaics it is the weir or the pipes. At worst it should be a full replacement of weir + pipes but not a full recoat of the pool.

Posted this in the home improvements thread:
So I haven't used pooldiagnostics (http://www.pooldiagnostics.co.za/), but I gave them a call for something related and instead of charging me for stuff I didn't need, they actually took the time to listen to my problem and hooked me up with a rival type company for pretty cheap.

They seem like good people.
Only help I can give, sorry.

 

[ant_man]

Also had this problem a while back.
Use process of elimination, I used the recirculate position to see if it was the filter
If the pool operates as normal after an hour you know that its the filter if not it could be a leak as others have said.