Pump Pressure reading very low

[topless]

My profession is industrial pumps. Let me give you the basics.
First, pressure is resistance to flow. 1 of the 2 things listed has to apply.

If you are seeing the normal amount of water volume coming back into your pool, then there is nothing wrong with your pump. A lower pressure reading indicates that something changed between your pump and the pool. That something would be in your filter. For some reason you have less restriction.

If your water volume back to your pool is less, and less pressure, then you have a different problem and I don't have enough information from you to troubleshoot it. This type of pump would only lose volume suddenly if:
The intake line is restricted (then it will sound like it's pumping gravel).
If the pump impeller got some debris in it, which you would have to clean out.
It's not turning as fast due to an electrical problem. (this one is not my 1st choice).

[mphare]

Thanks. I consider about 10 psi normal, because that's what it's always read after a backwash for the past 3 years. There is also a 'Clean' indicator on the readout that points to 10 psi. But mainly it's the history that leads me to believe less than 10 is low.

I have a waterfall and a bubbler and as near as I can tell they are operating at a normal flow rate (the bubbler is fountaining about as high as it usually does).

I put in the requisite amount of DE after the backwash (6lbs) and the filter blades looked in good shape when I did the spring cleaning this year. But I suppose there could be a problem there.

There isn't any water around the pump area, everything is dry.

The pump did run dry once last season (from now on, I turn off the system when I go out of town).

Thanks again!