we have low water pressure coming out of the in ground swimming pool at the filter. ?

Question

what can we do to fix this

Answer 1

There are multiple possibilities here.

It can be any of the following:

1/ Your filter is clogged up with debris and needs cleaning. Check your pressure gauge on the filter. If it's about 5-8 PSI higher than normal, time to clean it. Back wash if this is a sand filter, remove the cartridge and clean it if it's a cartridge filter or if it's a DE filter, you can try a "bump" if the filter has that option if not then remove the element and clean it. Recharge the DE after you reinstall and start up the system for a DE.

2/ The pump impeller has choked on some debris that has made it past the pump basket. Sometimes it can be pulled out from the front ( power off and power supply locked out so it doesn't get turned on while your fingers are in there). Often though, it requires a partial pump disassembly to get rid of the debris stuck between the impeller vanes.

3/ There's a block in the skimmer line. It usually starts at the elbow directly under the skimmer by a twig lodging there and other debris getting caught on the twig. Your best bet here is to call in a pro since he'll have a pressure tester that he can use to blow the debris back out the way it came in.

4/ You have a skimmer line leak. You'll see a lot of air coming out that return and the pump may actually lose it's prime occasionally. Get a pro in. He can locate the leak and repair the line.

Answer 2

Yes, you can fix the pressure problem.



If the pressure leaving your filter has dropped it means that your filter has done its job and filtered a lot of stuff out of the water and the filter is now full (or clogged) with that stuff. The filter container needs to be opened and the filter elements need to be cleaned.



If you plan to do this yourself, someone who is mechanically inclined should do the job. Before you open your filter be certain to close all valves (before you close the valves, notice the position the vavles are in. Some valves may be only slightly open or not open at all or open all the way.)



Once the filter container is open, you'll likely see removable cartridges. The cartridges can be cleaned with a hose. Although they can withstand a lot of pressure, if too much pressure is sprayed on them to remove the "gunk" that is clogging them, you could tear them. The cartridges are replaceable.



When you've cleaned the cartridges to your satisfaction, reverse all that I've described.