Expert: Lynn bellay Date: 7/6/2008 Subject: pressure goes up and down and losing water
Question We have a new pool, so are very new to the maintenance of it.
Firstly, the pressure can sometimes fluctuate from 0.2 to about 0.75,
constantly moving up and down, sometimes it can reach a constant level of
about 0.75, though other times it can't and I try to stabalise it by turning the
skimmers down slightly (we have 3 skimmers and 3 returns). When the
pressure is fluctuating like this, the returns seem to make lots of gurgling
noises and spurt water out intermitantly, and one of the skimmers also makes
a lot more noise than seems normal. Is there a possibility that we have got air
in the system by mistake say when we hoovered the pool and maybe took the
pipe out of the water before disconnecting it from the hoover point? How
would we get rid of the air in the system?
The other problem that we have got is that we think the pool is losing water.
We seem to be having to top it up for about 1 hour every 2 days which
doesn't feel right.
Hope you can help!
Answer I think you have air getting into the system,can you try to isolate the skimmer that might be bad[block or shut one off 1 at a time.Also you might try ,with 2 skimmers blocked,pump off,force water with a garden hose from skimmer to pump basket[open lid on basket] to see if water flows from each one.You should not have to add water every 2 days.Water can be from about 1 inch to 3 inches below top skimmer.With heavy bather load and sunny days once a week would be max.The pressure is inconsistent because of air.Make sure you backwash[2 minutes,rinse 30 seconds]if possible.Let me know after testing each skimmer.Lynn
