No suction, except from the bank account

[elmorg]

I need a pool guru!

There's no suction from my skimmer to vacuum the pool.

I bought a new hose, just in case it was a leak. Still no suction.

I called a guy whose business is doing pool repairs. He said there's a bad clog in the line between the skimmer and the pump. He tried for what must have been hours to free the clog. He said he was unable to clear the line and told me I better call a plumber. He also told me he thought it was clogged with shock and scolded me for dumping shock straight into my skimmer (which I have never done). "Well, someone's done it," he said. I live alone, so, unless there are chemical fairies who dump crap into my pool when I'm not watching, I have no way to explain this. Cost: $80

The plumber called to tell me, "I think I got it!" I was overjoyed. I went home and tried to vacuum, and still no suction. Cost: $325

So, here I am after having paid a pool guy and a plumber, with the same problem. I have no idea what my next step should be. I haven't been able to clean my pool yet this year, and it's really bothering me!

In years past, I feel I've been taken advantage of pool guys. I'm on my third pump in 6 years. That was the other pool guy's answer to every problem. I was trying to avoid that expense, and that's why I called someone else.

Can anyone tell me where to go from here?

[Poconos]

Welcome to the forum. Love the thread title.
First, how was it determined there is a blockage in the skimmer line? I may be wrong but any pool chemicals dumped into the skimmer should dissolve relatively quickly if they somehow managed to plug the line in the first place. I dump all kinds of stuff in mine, with the pump running, and never had a problem. Some questions:
-- Is the pump priming and trying to suck water? i.e. is the pump basket chamber filled with water or dry?
-- If it isn't primed, have you tried filling the pump basket with water and turning on the pump to see if it tries to pump?
-- If it is primed, filled with water, and there really is a blockage, the pump will be making some strange noises as it's trying to pull a high vacuum. Hear any loud strange noises?
Post again and we'll work further.
Al

[waste]

Welcome to the Forum!

I'm also interested in the info Al asked for. Also, can you feel any suction in the skimmer pipe when the pump is on and how do you set up to vacuum?

Between all the members here, we've got a number of tips & tricks that may help identify and solve the problem.