Pool Pump Valves (or lack thereof)

Hello,
New to pool ownership, and new to the forum.

We just bought and moved into a new home in Ontario, Canada with a mostly rectangular (corners are angled) inground pool appox 18'-36', and approx 8' deep (i think, only based on jumping in, so not too scientific of a measurement).

The pump is a Hayward self-priming pump, and a sand filter. I've noticed that the suction from the pump is very strong - too strong in fact for the desired settings on our auto-pool vac (Barracuda G3). My skimmer has both the main drain and vacuum line in it, both are open. My pump however does not have any valves on it - just an intake from the pool (1 intake only), and outflow to the filter. The guy at my pool store said to try and partially close the valve..... which I don't have. My question is - should I install a valve? Is it as easy as cutting the inflow pipe, inserting a valve, and re-joining? If I do this, I will likely do it when I close the pool in October, or open the next spring.

Thanks!

Hello - just asking a question regarding my attempt at a first post/question. I posted Monday, July 23, and don't see anything, did not get a response.

Perhaps I screwed up somehow?

Just bought a new house with an inground pool approx 18'x36', 3 ft shallowend, 8' or more (not sure yet) deep end.

Never owned a pool, lots of questions re equipment and lovely green water and where to begin. In the meantime i'm reviewing as much of the forum as possible.

Thanks!

I found your other post. Not sure why it didn't show up here to begin with. But, at any rate, now it is here. Unfortunately, I am not the one able to help you with this plumbing issue. We do have people who will be able to help and will hopefully see your question before too long. So, sit tight for a bit.

Hope you enjoy being a part of the forum!

Thanks Watermom - looking forward to evolving from newb to experienced pool owner. Love how this is an independent community of owners helping owners.

Cheers.

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Originally Posted by Cdnpoolnewb

Love how this is an independent community of owners helping owners.

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That is what makes the Pool Forum work! Have a great day!

I can't answer whether you should install valves to and from the pump but I do know this: we have them on all the pipes and I cannot imagine managing some pool maintenance issues if we didn't have valves. Two things that comes to mind right away are opening the pump pot to clean it out and opening the inline chlorine feeder to add tabs. Even turning the pup off there would be gushers when the lids are removed. By closing the appropriate valve(s) I can perform those tasks without spilling a drop of water.

Other convenient applications for being able to isolate the pool from the equipment via valves are if you have filter issues (or pump issues) and need to make repairs, or if you want to control suction or return output for some reason, or, the way our plumbing is set up, if I wanted to change the pool light or increase flow from the opening - my pool light niche can act as a second return.

I'm all for valves!

As AnnaK points out isolation valves (shut the pool water off from the equipment) make regular maintainance much eaisier especially when the equipment is below the waterline. I believe (and I open to correction) that if you want to throttle the flow through your system the best place for the throttling valve is on the pressure side of the pump before the filter.

Thanks guys.

I want to have my pool closed professionally for me this year (and opened in the spring) - just so I can observe and learn how to do it correctly. I think I'll ask the service guys about adding an isolation valve - sounds like I should really have one.

Cheers.

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Originally Posted by Cdnpoolnewb

I want to have my pool closed professionally for me this year (and opened in the spring) - just so I can observe and learn how to do it correctly.

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An excellent idea (one I've recommended often ;) ), and so is asking them about the valve!