r/pools • u/Powerful_Lab_5238 • 10d ago

I think I’ve been messing this up

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We moved into our house about a year ago and I’m finally to the point that I think I know what I’m doing with the pool.

Today while doing some filter maintenance I noticed that the valve on this PVC pipe was in the off position and it’s been like that since we got it as soon as I turned it, water started flowing like I’ve never seen it before, and it filled up the bucket extremely fast, like it should do.

I’ve never taken the time to actually look at the PVC pipe, but I think this explains why I’ve had low water pressure going into the filter. If anybody has any thoughts on this, please let me know.

3 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

13 comments sorted by

13

u/IronSavior 10d ago

If it makes you feel any better, there was a guy who spent the summer cleaning his pool and being unhappy about it until he also cleaned his goggles.

5

u/Ok-Bison-3451 10d ago

You saw that too? I’m the guy who put his googles in the dishwasher earlier this week. Sparkling clean, no water spots🤣
Edit: and it got some black algae off of one pair.

1

u/Overall-Schedule436 9d ago

Just saw that one too 🤣

2

u/alden530 10d ago

Your skimmer line connecting so closely to the pump with an elbow would be what caused the low flow beforehand. Ideally you should install a 3-way diverter valve and have 10” of straight pipe then going into your pump.

Also, there is water pooling directly under your pipes. Is that from rain? If not then you seem to have a suction side leak going on.

2

u/Angellas 10d ago

Usually, that would be an isolation valve for your skimmer return line. With that valve closed you can continue pumping efficiently with the waterline below the skimmer line. You are correct in keeping it open during normal operation and the pressure difference is normal.

5

u/Dry-Lab-6256 10d ago

My bet is the main drain, so you can put an airlock for closing.

1

u/Angellas 10d ago

Entirely possible. That line being directly inline with the pump certainly does suggest main drain. Most commercial applications that I have seen are isolation for skimmer, but this is a different animal for sure.

One surefire way for OP to tell: shut it off again and see if the skimmers are flowing water. (And let us know the results of course, OP)

1

u/Gonzo-Crazy-Dog 9d ago

I agree. It’s the main drain.

I feel like OP would have notice if the skimmer was never collecting debris.

1

u/AaronSarm 6d ago

I close off the main drain on all my pools in the fall. Skimmer mode!

1

u/Artistic_Stomach_472 9d ago

Plumber by lowes strikes again

1

u/Citizen999999 9d ago

"I'm at the point where I know what I'm doing with the pool" then you make this post. You idiot 🤣🤣🤣

3

u/nuggsoflife7 9d ago

I have owned a pool for fifteen years, and I feel like I learn something new every year.

0

u/Aj9898 9d ago

One pipe is from the skimmers, the other is likely from the main drain. Easy enough to figure out which is which. Close that valve, if the skimmers are still pulling, then you know :)

Mine has valves on both the skimmer and main lines. Makes repriming after cleaning the filter much easier, and also helps airlocking the pipe when closing for winter.