Too much suction !!

[NeilK]

With some of the pool owner's manuals I've read, if the vac head gets stuck on the bottom, it is recommended to shut off the pump. That should take care of any pole bending problems when trying to free the vac head.

A few questions.
Does your pool have a main drain?
Does your pool have 1 or 2 skimmer's?
What type of in ground pool is it? (Gunnite, Plaster, Vinyl, Tile, etc.)

[KurtV]

Karen,
Do you have a main drain on your pool? If so, have you closed the valve on that pipe thereby diverting all the suction to the skimmer? Is is possible that your main drain has something on it or in the pipe that is keeping you from getting suction there?

[karenkr]

Thanks everyone for your input.
Answers to questions: I really dont know if we have a main drain or not. Where might it be located? When we partially drained the pool -- just used a small pump.
Only have one skimmer
I have been told the pool is gunnite.

Boughr a new head at walmarts today--going to try that tomorrow
Again thanks
Karen

[KurtV]

Thanks everyone for your input.
Answers to questions: I really dont know if we have a main drain or not. Where might it be located?
In the bottom of the pool.

When we partially drained the pool -- just used a small pump.
Only have one skimmer
I have been told the pool is gunnite.

Boughr a new head at walmarts today--going to try that tomorrow
Again thanks
Karen

Is there a valve or valves on the pipes the go into the suction side of the pump (the side that has the pump strainer on it)?

[karenkr]

If I am looking in the right place-----There are 2 valves a red one and a green one. Also I noticed last night when I tried to vacuum that the pump was not holding prime (yes I did have pool level up). Could I be having pump problems?????????? I hope someone out there has some suggestions

Thanks
Karen

[KurtV]

If I am looking in the right place-----There are 2 valves a red one and a green one. Also I noticed last night when I tried to vacuum that the pump was not holding prime (yes I did have pool level up). Could I be having pump problems?????????? I hope someone out there has some suggestions

Thanks
Karen

Are both those valves open (the handle will usually be in line with he pipe when the walve is open)? If not, your main drain valve may be closed which would increase the suction from the skimmer and might also contribute to your priming problem.

[karenkr]

Thanks for answering me

First I was wrong on the color (dont know if it matters) One is red and the other blue not green. Duh---guess my memory is not too good.

Yes both are in line with the pipes.
Got the new head from Walmarts ---did get to vacuum last night--had good suction not too much so maybe it was the head after all.

Still worried about the prime thing--or could that be normal when vacuuming??It did return to normal when I backwashed.
Thanks so much for your help
Karen

[curlysue121350@yahoo.com]

I had similar problem last year. the brushes on the bottom of the vacumn head were worn down. once i replaced the brushes no more sticking.

[tenax]

karen,i find i can lose prime while vacuuming if 2 things occur:

a)my main valve is closed (so water is only going through the skimmer and hence the vacuum..so if the vacuum, or vacuum line is plugged,you lose prime) you can leave your main valvel completely open or partially if it decreases your vacuum suction too much and that way you won't lose the prime.

b) if my basket in the pump itself is full of gunk. in which case, obviously doesn't matter which valves you have open and closed or how much given it's one line going into and out of the pump!

check both of those things out. at start of season is when i tend to lose prime because the bloody basket keeps filling up with muck from the winter (leaves, sediment,little twigs,etc..hence why i'm buying a leaf cover for the fall)

[karenkr]

Thanks
Will check both those things.

Will just keep watch on prime to make sure does not go completely dry.

Sure appreciate all your help
Karen