Too much suction !!

[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