not cleaning pool

[lockandload]

Hi I am a newbie to this sight and had a question, when I opened my pool this year and tried to vacuum it it did not seem to have enough suction to even keep the hose in place on the skimmer, I tried it on waste and also filter. I changed the sand and still did not help, it seems my return does not have the pressure it use to. Not sure where to start????

[PoolDoc]

Unfortunately, low flow / low suction is one of those pool problems with many possible causes. Here are a few:

+ Air leak in suction piping, weakening pump's suction.
+ Clogged impeller (pebbles, pine needles, etc.)
+ Clogged or damaged strainer basket.
+ Kinked suction piping.
+ Damaged or failed valve that looks open, but isn't. (Both ball and gate valve stems can break)

[lockandload]

Thank you that gives me some places to start looking