vacuum loses suction quickly

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Denniswiseman
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Location: United Kingdom

vacuum loses suction quickly

Postby Denniswiseman » Wed 24 Jul, 2013 09:16

There are plenty of ideas in this thread to check out but the most obvious one is the "O" ring on the pump basket lid. Try lubricating it first with silicone grease. You will be surprised how tighter the lid will go
When you are vacuuming you are putting an extra load on the suction side and any air leaks will be increased


Vistor

vacuum loses suction quickly

Postby Vistor » Wed 18 Dec, 2013 04:40

Thanks to all that posted suggestions.
I was successful in getting the filter-pump to work without a very rapid loss in suction.
What I did:
[list=]Cleaned o-ring to pump filter lid
A detailed clean of the pump filter basket
Maintain high water level at weir so all joins were submerged.[/list]

I found that my in my situation the problem was most sensitive to cleanliness of pump filter basket.

Anyway, thanks for all the input :thumbup:
SumGuy

vacuum loses suction quickly

Postby SumGuy » Fri 02 May, 2014 10:07

If you have a newer pool (with white and gray valves, not white and blue) then you have vacuum bleed valves which stick out of the top of valve assembly at the pool. These little valves pull air in to the line to keep pressure at an optimum level, prolonging the life of the pump. However, the additional head pressure created by the restricting hose adapter and long length of the vacuum hose cause the valves to suck in too much air, resulting in suction loss. To fix this, look for the two clear, flexible plugs that came with your pool. These look like replacement plugs for an air float. In fact, they are made to be placed on top of the vacuum bleed valves to prevent this from occurring. I place these caps on whenever vacuuming and no longer have issues. Hope this helps.
Cindie E

vacuum loses suction quickly

Postby Cindie E » Fri 20 Jun, 2014 19:09

I fought this problem all last summer . Finally realized I had a air leak between bottom skimmer basket and pool. If u start vacuming watch the bottom skimmer basket next to pump . If water gets lower or runs dry u have a air leak. probally sucking air in at clamps on hose . I replaced hoses . Did not work . Finally put a little silacone between hose and fitting and put two clamps on each end. This stopped the problem.I hope this helps you.
Ctomah

Re: vacuum loses suction quickly

Postby Ctomah » Tue 07 Jun, 2016 19:14

After a few minutes of vacuuming it loses prime. It is not the hose or cover not fitting. I have tried to see if it was the sand by putting it on recirculation but the same problem occurs of the vacuum cover popping and losing prime. The jets also shoot air when this happens. Can someone give me suggestions?
FuSeNoDe
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Re: vacuum loses suction quickly

Postby FuSeNoDe » Wed 08 Jun, 2016 09:10

Check List Guidelines I follow:

When you have pressure problems you need to do a System Check.

1) Check your hose's and seals. Make sure the Hose's and Seal Connections are tight. If hard piped make sure there are no cracks in the PVC pipe or if any couplings connections have lost seal (Glue giving out)

2)Check your Pump. Make sure the lid is sealed and tightened properly. Check your Pump Seal Gasket make sure its in a Healthy State Not Worn.
Make sure the Drain plug on your pump is tightened properly.

3)Check your Filter. Make sure all the connections are sealed and tightened. Make sure the seal that holds the Filter and Head is tightened properly as well.

If you follow this steps you should find any air leak that you have.

Typically if you shut off your pump and look for any leaks you will find your source. Sometimes you will need to hand examine everything close up with your eyes to see any defect.
I hope this post has helped as it helps me each year when starting up my system.
FuSeNoDe
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Re: vacuum loses suction quickly

Postby FuSeNoDe » Wed 08 Jun, 2016 21:07

Ctomah wrote:After a few minutes of vacuuming it loses prime. It is not the hose or cover not fitting. I have tried to see if it was the sand by putting it on recirculation but the same problem occurs of the vacuum cover popping and losing prime. The jets also shoot air when this happens. Can someone give me suggestions?



Bubbles mean Air Leak. Find the leak you fix the problem :) check your pump there is a drain plug on it that allot of people over think about. When you winterize your pump for the winter you drain the water from it make sure you have tightened it.
tuffy777
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My Pool: Above ground

Re: vacuum loses suction quickly

Postby tuffy777 » Wed 27 Jul, 2016 00:44

Kenny wrote:When I'm vacuuming my above ground pool, I start with real good suction power. Within 2 or 3 minutes, I have lost all suction. I backwash the filter, but the backwashed water isn't very dirty. I start vacuuming again and have real good suction for another 2 or 3 minutes, but again, I lose sucking power. I backwash again, and again I have good sucking power for a couple of minutes. I have not had this problem in past years.
Do I have a problem with my pump or filter?
Thanks,
Kenny



My experience as a above ground pool owner for yrs is this happens if the hose has a tiny hole or crack somewhere. Sneaky lil boogers but got me a few times
Denniswiseman
Pool Industry Leader
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Posts: 2592
Joined: Tue 06 Sep, 2011 05:48
My Pool: 10k inground fibreglass, Telescopic Cover, Hayward Powerline pump, Quality filter with glass media, 27kw output heat pump, K-2006C test kit
Location: United Kingdom

Re: vacuum loses suction quickly

Postby Denniswiseman » Wed 27 Jul, 2016 12:40

Virtually all air leaks are on the suction side of your pump, your filter and returns are pressurised so should only leak water if there is a leak
Is the water level half way up the skimmer
Does the skimmer flap move freely (not jammed up) or restricted
Check and lubricate the pump basket "O" ring with silicone grease or Vaseline
Rocha
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My Pool: 18ft round above ground pool.

Re: vacuum loses suction quickly

Postby Rocha » Fri 23 Jun, 2017 09:16

Kenny wrote:When I'm vacuuming my above ground pool, I start with real good suction power. Within 2 or 3 minutes, I have lost all suction. I backwash the filter, but the backwashed water isn't very dirty. I start vacuuming again and have real good suction for another 2 or 3 minutes, but again, I lose sucking power. I backwash again, and again I have good sucking power for a couple of minutes. I have not had this problem in past years.
Do I have a problem with my pump or filter?
Thanks,
Kenny
Rocha
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My Pool: 18ft round above ground pool.

Re: vacuum loses suction quickly

Postby Rocha » Fri 23 Jun, 2017 09:18

Have the same problem and can not figure out whats wrong!! Help me please!! Rocha thank you
Psummer
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Re: vacuum loses suction quickly

Postby Psummer » Sat 15 Jul, 2017 22:35

Everything in my pool is working perfectly until I plug in my hose and then I lose suction. I have checked for holes or leaks and found none but replaced hose just in case. I have tried different skimmers, checked the valves were in proper place, filled the hose and tried vac to waste as well as thru filter. Nothing works. Please help me.
Denniswiseman
Pool Industry Leader
Pool Industry Leader
Posts: 2592
Joined: Tue 06 Sep, 2011 05:48
My Pool: 10k inground fibreglass, Telescopic Cover, Hayward Powerline pump, Quality filter with glass media, 27kw output heat pump, K-2006C test kit
Location: United Kingdom

Re: vacuum loses suction quickly

Postby Denniswiseman » Sun 16 Jul, 2017 04:15

Psummer wrote:Everything in my pool is working perfectly until I plug in my hose and then I lose suction. I have checked for holes or leaks and found none but replaced hose just in case. I have tried different skimmers, checked the valves were in proper place, filled the hose and tried vac to waste as well as thru filter. Nothing works. Please help me.

Is there normal suction from where you plug in the vacuum hose?
When you connect the hose does the pump basket fill with air?
When you fill the hose with water before vacuuming do you lift it out of the water without sealing the end?
Have you lubricated the pump basket "O" ring with silicone grease?

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