Low flow, poor suction; bubbles in pump & pool, mustard algae

[PoolDoc]

Basically, you need to take the following steps:

1. Find & fix the suction leak, and see if that solves the flow problem.

2. Read the Best Guess page, linked in my blue signature block above.

3. Order a K2006 test kit. (link above).

4. Purchase a local OTO phenol red test kit (yellow / red drops) and use it to test.

5. Make SURE your chlorine is in the OTO *dark yellow* ALL the time. Further adjustments will need to wait for the K2006.

6. Brush your mustard algae spots 2 -3 times per week. Add a gallon of 8.25% bleach each time BEFORE you brush; part in the spa, the rest in the pool.

7. Check your filter cartridges; clean them properly; order spares or replacements as needed.


Good luck!

[kahmeal]

EXACTLY the kind of response I was looking for, thank you so much Ben! I will take steps to implement all this in the coming week.

The deck cracks aren't too bad yet according to the original pool builder (the original owner of the home was forward thinking and kept all documentation with the house) and can wait until we do a major deck overhaul in the future, something we've already discussed as a definite undertaking.

The algae I've been scrubbing but the last few days we've been a bit too busy and it's gotten a little out of control.

Do you have any recommendations on methods to use for tracking down the suction leak? I've heard of using smoke near suspect areas to see if it gets pulled in?

[PoolDoc]

Do you have any recommendations on methods to use for tracking down the suction leak? I've heard of using smoke near suspect areas to see if it gets pulled in?

I've never heard of using smoke, and I'm pretty doubtful. The airflow is almost certainly not great enough for that to work; a little air goes a long way in messing up water flow.

Looking and listening are the only two methods I've ever used. You need to LOOK for possible leaks, and then check them. People have used a variety of things to check for leaks. I've sometimes used silicone, since if the leak is small, I can not only find it -- as the silicone is sucked it -- but stop it at the same time. K-Y Jelly can also be used, and you don't have to worry about making a mess or causing damage, which might happen if you silicone-ed a leaking 3-way valve.

Sometimes, you can hear a small leak. But this usually means first locating likely locations, and then listening. Your pump is pretty loud, so that's probably not an option. (I work with large commercial pumps, and many of them have had 1800 RPM pumps I installed, and I forget how loud the 3600 RPM pumps used on home pools are.)

[mas985]

The bottom valve in this picture on the suction side of the pump (without the actuator) is set to restrict the flow on the main line. This will increase the suction head and decrease both flow rate and filter pressure plus it can cause the pump basket to leak air and draw in bubbles. Set that valve such that the handle is pointed along the common pipe and see if that improves things. BTW, do you know what those two lines go to (e.g. skimmer and main drain)?

[PoolDoc]

Good catch. Thanks, Mark.

[kahmeal]

The bottom valve in this picture on the suction side of the pump (without the actuator) is set to restrict the flow on the main line. This will increase the suction head and decrease both flow rate and filter pressure plus it can cause the pump basket to leak air and draw in bubbles. Set that valve such that the handle is pointed along the common pipe and see if that improves things. BTW, do you know what those two lines go to (e.g. skimmer and main drain)?

Sorry it took me a while to reply, been a bit caught up with other things the last few days. I have not yet had a chance to track down the leak, however as far as that handle goes; The position it's in is as far as it will turn in that direction. The other possible positions are 12 o'clock which completely blocks all water to the pump and then 2 o'clock which partially blocks the right pipe the same way the left is now partially blocked. Unfortunately these two pipes are not labeled so I'm not sure where they go.

I made another quick video showing the piping a little better, if you can figure out exactly what each/valve does and what they should be set to that could help me a bit as I'm still not quite sure what they all do or what they should be set to.

http://youtu.be/x6C8bvSSeRE

Also, is the pool swimmable a few hours after adding the 1 gallon of 8.25% bleach and scrubbing the algae or should we not be using it until that problem is gone?

[kahmeal]

Well I've tried a few different things so far:

1. I ran water over all the different joints in the suction side piping while watching the return jets to see if the bubbles diminished at all -- they did not. The pump lid still continued to show a lot of air.
2. I used smoke around all the pump joints to see if any was getting pulled in -- none. Checked around the pump lid as well. Relubed the gasket just in case and closed the lid snug but not too tight.
3. I applied a high temp waterproof silicone around all the PVC joints on the suction side to rule out air leaks despite the lack of indication from the previous two strategies, just in case. After allowing it to cure all day, tried the pump in the evening and the problem remains.

At this juncture I am beginning to suspect an in-ground leak somewhere but have no idea what tracking that down entails or whether it's even feasible for someone like myself. I appreciate any and all feedback in this matter as it's beginning to look like it might get expensive and we really can't afford to throw too much money at this yet considering our recent move in and related expenses. Thanks so much!

[PoolDoc]

I've never really known if this stuff:

http://www.fixaleak.com/pools.html

works, or not. But given what your options are, it might be worth trying. Be *SURE* to read the instructions on the page above, before deciding to buy. Here are two links to Amazon for the product:

#1 Marlig Fix A Leak Pool Leak Sealer - 32 oz
#2 Marlig Fix A Leak Pool Leak Sealer - 32 oz

If you do use it, please let us know whether it works or not.

[mas985]

Sorry it took me a while to reply, been a bit caught up with other things the last few days. I have not yet had a chance to track down the leak, however as far as that handle goes; The position it's in is as far as it will turn in that direction. The other possible positions are 12 o'clock which completely blocks all water to the pump and then 2 o'clock which partially blocks the right pipe the same way the left is now partially blocked. Unfortunately these two pipes are not labeled so I'm not sure where they go.

The valve cover is installed incorrectly. Take out all the screws, remove the valve internals and rotate the cover 180 degrees and re-install. That should fix the valve problem. While you have the valve apart, check the o-ring for any damage as that can cause a leak.

[kahmeal]

Ditto, it was in fact the valve. Took it apart, replaced with new freshly lubed rings, re-oriented the handle properly and no more bubbles What a weight off my shoulders, and quite the learning experience along the way! Just got done spending about 5 hours on the valves/filters/vacuuming/scrubbing the pool and finished off with a fresh gallon of clorox and leaving the pump on for the night. My taylor testing kit came in as well so I'll be spending this week getting the water quality dialed in and hopefully be swimming by the weekend! Thanks to everyone who helped me along here; again, so much learned.