Thanks for your comment and for watching. I'm glad it was helpful. I shall keep this channel up for as long as there is KZfaq, Lord willing. Hope you subscribed and please share the channel with others.

Getrect Hdhf thanks for the kind words.

Getrect Hdhf , I agree !! just did the same as you, house with pool, and just found this video. Kenny explains everything very clearly !

Viking Son thanks so much for your kind comment. Glad the videos help.

Glad it was helpful. Thanks for watching and commenting. Hope you'll subscribe to my channel and share it with others.

So glad it was helpful. Please share

Glad they are helpful and thank you for the kind comments.

@@PoolSchooler extreamly helpful . im enjoying this new avanue for me (pools) was in hottubs for years and really like learning all the ins and outs to make my routes that much more efficient and turn yucks to WOWS! . learned today from your videos about Cynaruic acid (was unfamilier on good levels) and TDS . i'm going to go through Backlog style and make sure a get a view on each to get it all in my noggin

I'm so glad they were helpful. Thank you for your kind comment.

So glad to hear that. Mission accomplished. Please subscribe.

V Chz will do and thanks for subscribing.

So glad to hear that. Hope you'll subscribe to and share my channel and please check out my website poolschooler.com for more money saving tools, tips, checklists and links for the DIY Pool Owner.

You can get an tube like attachment/adapter to put into the hole in your skimmer that allows you to plug in your pool vac hose into it for suction through the pool water side into the skimmer box and see if the vac operates better, if it does you know you don't have enough suction at the pool vac connection. Then I recomment getting a hose suction tester I mentioned above.

So glad it was helpful.

So glad to help. Hope you'll subscribe and share my channel and please check out my member website poolschooler.com

Glad to hear it. Thanks for the comment.

Hope you'll subscribe to my channel then, there's a lot of video that will help with your specific pool needs. Also if you need any specific info let me know and I can more than likely send you a link to that particular video so you don't have to scroll through all of them.

Youre welcome.

Glad it was helpful. For more great stuff check out my membership website for the DIY pool owner. poolschooler.com

Thanks so much.

I just vacuumed my pool and back washed it. Easy Peasy with Kenneth's walk through! I just saved 75.00 a week and did a much better job! Thank you so much Kenneth! You explain stuff so well, it makes it so Easy to understand. 😊💕

Is there a hole in the bottom of your skimmer? can you email me a pic. kennypoolschool@gmail.com

I was told that the second pipe will also allow water from the main drain into the skimmer if the water level of pool drops below the skimmer while pump is running to keep from losing pump pressure.

Is this the thing that pulled out people's intestines??

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the pressure on some pool drains can be as strong as 300 pounds per square inch. 1 This kind of pressure can suck in hair or body parts, or trap swimmers underwater and cause them to drown, even if someone is trying to pull a victim away from the drain.Jul 19, 2007

Usually the balance is about 2/3's to the vacuum and 1/3 to the skimmer give or take. As long as the vac moves well BUT doesn't come out of the water.

buy a leave catcher to attach to the vac hose, great little device you can open, clean and close back in business.

I am so glad this video was helpful. Unfortunately I'm in Arizona, (a bit of a commute for me). 😉

Thanks!

I'll have to do a video on how much suction to put to your vacuum. 👍

Yes you certainly should block one of the skimmers to vacuum your pool (the old fashioned way). That's probably why it takes so long to vacuum. Watch my video on vacuuming your pool the old fashioned way. Here's a link: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/rp-HlLCG37mzXWw.html. I used to use a tennis ball to plug the other skimmer.

It depends on how much water you want to flow to either of those. It also depends on if you have only one pump/motor for the entire pool or some pools have an additional pump/motor for things like waterfalls and even solar heating. Again, it depends on what you're doing. If you want heating with your solar you'll want a large amount of your return water to run thru the solar, if you want more water to your waterfall then more should be directed to that.

Sure. kennypoolschool@gmail.com. Also don't get a cheap creepy crawler. Spend a little more and get the Zodiac Barracuda G3. In my opinion it's the best on the market for the money and easy to maintain and repair.

You’re welcome. Glad it was helpful. Thanks for watching. And thanks for commenting. Hope you will subscribe to my channel and share it with others.

Not sure about the size of the piping. That may be a local code thing. BUT I don't believe it's allowed by building codes (and OSHA) to have a dedicated line to the floor drain for safety reasons. (ie: a child gets themselves stuck on the floor drain when it's running). But I'd check with your building codes out there for that info

Thanks for your comment. I'll try to answer your questions. #1. The floor drain does get suction if you use a diverter in the skimmer. Heres a video on that: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/Y7qFppxhppvZhqM.html. So the sand in the pool and the murkey water leads me to believe that your sand filter manifolds (inside the filter) are broken and need repairing. While youre having that done you should just go ahead and replace the sand so you have fresh new sand in there and it will help filter better. Hope that helps and please do subscribe to my channel.

A few things. 1. Make sure you have a way to adjust the suction. between any and all the suction lines, especially the main floor drain so it doesn't get so much suction as to pose a hazard to small hands ect getting sucked into it. 2. I think the idea of having a dedicated line to a suction side vac like the Barracuda G3 (my favorite) is always a good idea. BUT 3. I'd try to find a way to also have a skimmer suction so you could adjust the flow for the vac. You really don't need the main drain suction except for draining the pool. The rest of the time you should split the suction between the skimmer (30% and the vacuum 70% approximately). PS. Please subscribe to and share my channel. Thanks

otimitla you are correct

Oh, also. It's possible you're equipment is still ok. Although it probably worked your pump/motor harder than it should've. Usually there is a suction adjustment where the water enters your pool pump (the suction side) that allows for adjusting the suction between the vacuum and skimmer. Usually the majority the suction needs to go to the vacuum BUT about 1/3 or so of the suction is still coming from, or going to the skimmer. So when your vacuum port cover shut and your pump ran that week during it's scheduled hours the water would still be sucked from the skimmer although it would be somewhat restricted which is why I said it may have caused your motor/pump to work harder than usual. Hope this makes sense.

@@PoolSchooler Thank you very much. Looks like everything is running well. I've only used the 400K heater once. Pool's remained warm (around 80 degrees) with the air bubble cover.

Alex Sermeno I’m glad it was helpful.

Annette Allen I’m so glad it was helpful.

It shares the skimmer side. You can’t block the skimmer port/hole cause it’s where the suction actually pulls from. The. There’s a diverter that fits into the bottom of the skimmer that has the ability to divert the suction to the floor drain. BUT most pool guys out in my area use a separate submerseable pump to drain a pool. They tell me the floor drain diverter port way doesn’t work well some say it doesn’t work at all.

You may want to double check that. If you have a stay in the pool suction side vacuum, then the valve will adjust the suction between the skimmer (which will share suction with the floor drain - if you have two holes in the bottom of the skimmer sump that's the case) and you should adjust about 2/3 of the suction to the skimmer for the vacuum to work well. If you do actually have only one skimmer hole and a floor drain then I'd adjust it as needed. Sometimes you need more to the skimmer to get it to effectively "skim" the surface "floaters". Or put more to the floor drain if and when you brush the pool down (and brush towards the floor drain) so it can suck out the dirt you brush. and check out my exclusive member DIY pool maintenance website www.poolschooler.com

It is possible, however many times there is a side suction port BUT it's for the leaf catcher that works in conjunction with the pop up system and plugging a vacuum into that doesn't work very well. So unless I could see how your system is set up it'd be hard to comment on it. You could convert your pop up system to a stay in the pool suction side vacuum. Here's a video on how to do it BUT I'd suggest the Barracuda G3 Vacuum. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/nbmWlbGnmdm6j4E.html Hope that helps. and I hope you'll subscribe to my channel.

Our waste line on our current pool goes into s stand pipe to our city sewer, that may be what you have. The previous home and pool I had, the waste water went into a hose behind the pool house and out on top of the ground.

If you are asking about the dedicated line for the vacuum yes there is a cover for it and you definitely want one for it. It screws into the opening and has a flap that closes when the vacuum is it attached so that nobody gets stuck on it.

@@PoolSchooler actually that’s really good to know, thank you. However, I was curious about the other hole in the skimmer that goes to the drain, not the pump. If you know of these items and have an affiliate link, please provide it below. I’d like to order for my neighbor’s pool. They need it.

@@loreall.2461 The other hole in the skimmer sump does go to the floor drain and typically you would use a "skimmer diverter" to divert some of the suction of the skimmer to the floor drain. Heres link to one on amazon : amzn.to/3Vo14OZ I hope that's what you were looking for. Also here's a link to the cover for the dedicated vacuum line: amzn.to/3yBku9m

@@PoolSchooler thanks a lot!

Unfortunately I don't know of ANY suction side (or other type) of vacuum that can handle that type and size of debris. That's the kind of stuff you'll need to net out. There are limits to what a vacuum can handle. Sorry.

I'd have to see pictures of what you're talking about. Could you email some to me so I can see exactly what you're talking about? kennypoolschool@gmail.com

Your return valves aren't in play when you backwash since the returning water is flowing out the backwash hose or pipe. Watch my video on Aerators. Here's a link, I think it'll help with your second part of the question: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/i8hxmLiQkqyaYnU.html

You don’t have to. When I was first taught how to service Pools the guy who taught me wanted me to put the suction 100% to the skimmer but sometimes the pool water level wasn’t high enough to begin with it would end up sucking air because the water level would drop below the skimmer opening. Typically I leave it where it is for the typical vacuum to run and that is sufficient. If you have a diatomaceous earth filter and you want greater pressure flowing through the filter when you’re back washing you can dedicate more suction to the skimmer just make sure you have enough water in the pool.

Id need a bit more information to make an accurate suggestion. Or even some pictures of your system.

Dave Leary I’ve only come across one or two pools that have a similar configuration that is a screw in A slash plug in one of the holes in the skimmer sub. On both of those pools it turned out that the hole that was capped actually went to the floor drain and for whatever reason they chose to It off. Sorry I don’t know more than that.

@@PoolSchooler Thanks. I was partly afraid of that, if it is the case. I guess the thing to do is to open it and find out. Appreciate the info!

@@daveleary5830 I also have a screw in plug to a port in my pool but it's on other side of pool directly across from skimmer. And mine is a dedicated vac port

Typically air gets in via the pump lid or o'ring. Check to make sure the lid is not cracked in any way (sometimes a crack is really hard to see) and make sure the lid o'ring is clean, and lubricated and not dry or cracked in any way. Also make sure the lid threads and the channel the o'ring fits into are all clean and dirt free. That could help.

Can you email me a picture of what you're talking about so I can be sure I advise accurately. kennypoolschool@gmail.com

Typically (at least in my experience in Arizona) there is no specific floor drain suction pipe for solely the floor drain. My understanding is that OSHA made that against code to prevent little ones from getting stuck to a floor drain. So now the floor drain and the skimmer share the same suction pipe. If you look inside the skimmer sump/well you should see two holes in the bottom. One is the suction directly to the pump and the other goes to the floor drain. With the use of a "diverter" you can bleed some of the suction from the skimmer to the floor drain.

@@PoolSchooler Thanks! I see the 2 holes in the skimmer section. And if I feel one of them, I can see the water going into it. However, the other hole seems to be passive. If it's job is to suck water out of main drain and feed into the skimmer hole, then shouldn't I be seeing water coming into the skimmer section from the other hole? I have 2 skimmers and I see 2 main drains at the deep end of the pool. I also see a lot of pipes connected to the pump, perhaps because I have a spa as well. Is it ok if I send you the pics of the pump area to your email address mentioned at the end of the video? I am really confused about which pipe is what and what should be position of various valves. My pool builder who just built it never showed up to explain after taking final payment :(

@@TheCreativeComposer The one you feel water going into is the one that goes directly to the pump. You won't see water being sucked from the other hole because that hole is passive unless you use a diverter which "diverts" some of the suction from the other hole to the floor drain. Each skimmer you have has a pipe to one or the other floor drains and you'll need to use a diverter in each to have them actually work.

I'm not sure what you're describing. Please send me some pics of what you are talking about. kennypoolschool@gmail.com

Thats a cover for the vacuum port. It's necessary for safety reasons. If, say, someone disconnected the vacuum line and the pump came on or was already on, the suction could be dangerous too someone like a child getting their hand or other body part stuck in it due to the suction.

Some options: 1. Reduce the suction on your skimmer so more goes to the pool vac (but not so much that it comes out of your pool. 2. Raise or lower the water level of your pool a little. Sometimes that makes the difference. 3. Attach a hose weight to the section of the hose that typically get's "sucked into" the skimmer. 4. If you have any type of water feature make sure it's not creating a current that could push the hose the direction of the skimmer. Typically the first two options can take care of the problem.

There used to be available a vacuum to backwash piston that you could put in your existing backwash valve that would allow you to vacuum the pool directly to backwash so that way it wouldn’t go into the filter. I do not know if those still exist you may want to look online for something like that.

@@PoolSchooler would this act like a waste setting though? Or does it still pass through. I was just curious

@@listen4159 Typically it bypasses the filter medium and goes directly to waste. But Im not sure you can find them anymore.

Can you email me a pic of it

The hole 6" below the skimmer opening is typically a "quick skim" feature: (link to video that: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/hrV1eruTr9qzeo0.html) That works on the return side of your system please watch the above video (link). Typically the second hole in the skimmer goes to the floor drain and the suction to that is controlled by a diverter (video on that: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/Y7qFppxhppvZhqM.html Is your pool equipped with a pop up in floor cleaning system. That hole 8' from the skimmer (on the side of the pool wall) could be a leaf catcher if you have a pop up system. I'd have to see a video of your pool to really be able to accurately advise.

You should be able to use either the side port (and use the hose that goes to your stay in the pool vacuum on your vacuum head OR you can manually vacuum using the skimmer port but would need a vacuum hose which is a bit larger in diameter. This video may help: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/rp-HlLCG37mzXWw.html

If you can disable the pop up system altogether WITHOUT restricting the return flow to the pool then I'd do it. Here's a video I did on that subject: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/brypi5x5psiXdps.html

@@PoolSchooler I'm in the process of re-surfacing my pool, and the pool builder is suggesting I kill them and do a vacuum line return, but I don't have another return besides the pop-ups. I did watch that video, your videos are very helpful!

@@blaneahm9891 Did he suggest a return side vacuum? If so I'm not a fan. If it's on the suction side then I'd recommend it. Return side "vacuums" don't work very well as they blow water rather than suck up debris.

@@PoolSchooler No, just a dedicated suction line for the 4-wheel pool cleaner. However, if I do that, would that be Ok without any other returns since I will be killing the pop-up system?

@@blaneahm9891 I would be concerned about killing the pop-ups because you’ve got to have some return flow back to your pool. Or the pressure is going to build up and it could damage or blow up your filter. I believe you said you have a water feature, and that might help alleviate some of the pressure, but what I might suggest is pause your pop-ups permanently when they pop up on your steps so that way you get return flow back to your pool. And, I would not recommend a four wheel pool cleaner. I would go with the zodiac barracuda G3. Less things go wrong with that and it’s the most reliable and my favorite vacuum out of all.

I'm going to do a. video on skimmer "diverters" soon. Subscribe to my channel that way you'll know when I do it. I've got a couple others to do first then I'll do that one. Stay tuned

Typically I'm not a fan of using this type of system to drain the pool water entirely. I'd suggest a submersible hi volume pump. I did a video on this subject which you can check out at: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/fqx7otKex7HYgJs.html and then also watch this one on how to drain your pool: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/aKqPns5lv7LQYGQ.html Hopefully those two videos will help,

typically no.

I don't. Perhaps you can email me some photos of your system and point out the valve you're talking about. Then I'd probably be able to comment more accurately. My email kennypoolschool@gmail.com

Is it possible your system's plumbing is setup for a pressure side pool cleaner?

@@anubisoftllc Agreed that's why I'd like to see the plumbing set up to determine if the pipe he's talking about is on the suction or return side of his equipment.

Kenny D!ck probably could have a suction/return line, that it gets changed with the valves (to reverse the water flow). Example, this it was very common in the 80s with the bottom drain that it could be changed to a return line for water heating efficiency, the only problem is that all the piping is underground. Hope this could help a little. 🤞🏻

Daniel Villalba thanks for the input.

You may have a clogged impeller or something is causing either a restriction in the suction or it's something in the impeller. Try cleaning the impeller here's a video on that: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/Z96leql4qbCmnXU.html. Also check the return side of your equipment. Is there ample flow back to your pool. Also check your filter pressure. Is it high? If so something may be restricting your return flow or you may even need to clean your filter.

Pool School thank you! Going to watch and also learn what an impeller is. I want to mention that there is plenty of suction in the skimmer pipe when I feel it out with my fingers. Like if I would clamp my hand over it, it feels like it will hurt. But all this suction is not transferring to the surface. There is a tiny wimpy whirlpool that just moves leaves on the surface and is not pulling them down into the basket. And the surface debris in the pool outside the skimmer port is in no hurry to move into the port. Just bobs about. Thanks!

Pool School pressure is 35 psi. The filter got cleaned and blades replaced two weeks ago. Not sure how to check the return side. My pool guy, with whom we parted ways yesterday, spent three weeks trying to address the problem of the water draining from spa into the pool overtime when pump is not on. I feel somewhere during this process the skimmer stopped working. I have four valves and only understand one of them. Two of them are closed off and don’t budge easily. I don’t want to break them.

Pool School the impeller was not clogged, and I sort of knew it would not be because there is a powerful flow of water from the intake into the pump. I just can’t get it to translate into a clean pool :)

atolk So, 35 psi is pretty high. My guess is that one or more of your return valves is partially shut and that’s causing your pressure issue and your lack of circulation. If you could take pictures of your system and your plumbing and the pipes around your filter with all the valves and email them to me and I can better assess what’s happening. With regards to your spa draining overtime with the equipment off. That’s usually a case of a thing called a check valve not shutting. A check valve is a one-way valve that usually is on the return side of your equipment and it allows water to flow from the filter back into the spa but when the equipment shuts off that valve shut because it’s spring loaded and prevents water from flowing back out of the spa. Basically if there wasn’t a check valve the water would reverse directions and flow back out of the spa. So again, I’m pretty sure that the reason your spa dreams is because there’s something wrong with your check valve on the return side of the spa. As far as the pressure like I said, if you’ll send me pictures via email of your pool equipment I can better assess what’s going on. My email is Kennypoolschool@gmail.com

Typically, with a one horsepower motor, you might have to put 2/3 to 3/4 of the suction completely to the vacuum in order to get it to move around. That’s not uncommon. But you shouldn’t have to completely shut off the skimmer, but there’s no need to use the floor drain if you have a vacuum.

It sounds like you have far too much suction to your dedicated vacuum line. Try adjusting the suction between the skimmer and the vacuum line to where less suction is going to the vacuum line that should help.

The point of that is to have enough suction so that the vacuum cleaner will actually do its job. So I believe I say you have to play with it a bit if that’s typically where it sits for the suction on the vacuum to be sufficient enough for it to work as well as have the skimmer. But it really depends on each person‘s pool and how it’s set up. If you find that you need to dedicate a little more suction to the skimmer and the vacuum still runs then do so.

It depends on which pipe(s) you want the suction going to. If you have two pipes coming into the suction side usually I'd split it between the two. BUT it really depends on how much suction you want/need to each specific line. If you can tell me the source of the two suction lines going into your pump at the Jandy valve I can helps you better.

@@PoolSchooler so If the jandy valve is pointed towards the pump... does this mean I'm getting suction to the drain at the bottom and the skimmer? ... thank you sir 🙏🏽

@@jacobalfaro8982 Typically the valve handle should have (opposite of the part you grab) a rounded end that says "off". If that's pointed at your pump then you have all the suction completely off. Watch the video again but skip ahead to 4:50 in the video and it'll explain what I'm talking about. And answer your question.

You absolutely can, providing that you have two separate pipes on the suction side, going to each individual skimmer that you can adjust the valve. If not, and they share a single suction pipe, which so many multiple skimmer pools, do you might have to plug one of the Skimmer suction holes to get enough section. That is, if you don’t have the ability to adjust it at the pump

I did a video on this. Check it out: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/m8eXi6R83bScqoE.html

I did a video on prime in your pump that I would highly recommend watching. And don’t just skim through it the first part of the video I talk about the pump second part I talk about troubleshooting why it might not prime and then third part I go into detail about priming your pump when it’s sat empty for a long time. So please watch that video I think it will answer your questions. Here’s a link kzfaq.info/get/bejne/raqParyb3a-4iGw.html

The skimmer adapter I use or recommend for a pool that does't have a dedicated vacuum line is a VacMate by Pentair. That way you can install a stay in the pool suction vacuum to your system without sacrificing the skimmer function also.

Aurelio Lopez-Vega right now I don’t have any above ground pools. But I’ll try to do one anyway. I’m pretty sure I can use pictures and talk through it.

That is an aerator nipple. Here's a video on Aerators: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/i8hxmLiQkqyaYnU.htmlsi=2tp5-9QbQiVXXl2Z Regarding your pool vac. You can absolutely take it out of the pool when you're swimming BUT DON'T REMOVE IT WITH THE PUMP MOTOR RUNNING (unless you know how to adjust the suction valves so it doesn't suck from the vacuum line) and if you do know how to adjust the suction MAKE SURE YOU PUT THE VACUUM BACK AND RESET THE VALVES WHEN YOU'R DONE SWIMMING BEFORE THE PUMP MOTOR TURNS BACK ON.

@@PoolSchooler thanks

I'd have to see a pic of your pool plumbing layout to be able to accurately comment and help. email a pic or two to kennypoolschool@gmail.com

Dominick Caputo agreed. Several of the guys who trained me taught me to take it to where the cavitation started then back it off 2 clicks. It’s proved very helpful.

sorry I never had one listed for that price AND I don't sell products. I'd suggest the Barracuda G3 by Zodiac.

If they say it can I'd take their word for it and if it doesn't then I'd send it back and get a refund.

I'm with ya there. 😂

sounds like you need a skimmer diverter. I did a video on them, and even though I don't like them it sounds like your pool does in fact need one. Here's a link to that video (you can order the diverters online): kzfaq.info/get/bejne/Y7qFppxhppvZhqM.html

@@PoolSchooler My pool only has one hole in the skimmer, and this gadget here is what is stuck in there, it won't turn anymore, we tried taking it out or turning it to get the drain to suction and it won't work. i2.wp.com/bestpoolshop.com/wp-content/uploads/val-pak-anthony-pool-skimmer-old-style-diverter-valve-5227-v34-124.jpg?fit=451%2C451&ssl=1 We can't put that one you have, because that one is stuck. And we are having trouble with the hose, everytime we insert it the gauge goes down and the motor is forced and makes noises, or the hose gets crimped.

@@justYouJesus1God Can you take a picture of your skimmer so and email it to me? kennypoolschool@gmail.com

Hi Gio. So, I'm not a fan of the mx8. In my opinion (based on experience with several clients who had that model), it's way over engineered (meaning it's great out of the box, but shortly after that -maybe a year or two) the thing starts breaking down and never works as well again. I've had no less than 5 clients get one (against my recommendations) and all 5 have disliked it greatly for the reason I stated. As far as the vac not climbing the walls like it used to, first eliminate the possibility that it could be the suction. Do this by increasing the suction to the vacuum and feel the suction on the vac hose. If it feels substantial then you have enough suction and the problem lies in your vacuum (more on that later). If you find you have "little" suction then try increasing it via that valve. If it's all the way opened and you still don't feel a lot of suction to the vacuum hose then something is restricting the suction: Make sure your vacuum hoses are not cracked or broken. Make sure your pump basket is empty. Then Try clearing the impeller (video link here: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/Z96leql4qbCmnXU.html) You may also need to clean your filter. If you still have little suction then it's possible your skimmer line is blocked and you may need a professional to come out and blow out your line. If you DO HAVE ADEQUATE SUCTION then the problem lies in your vacuum. Personally if it's over 3 years old I'd get rid of that model and get a Barracuda G3. In my opinion and experience it's by far the best pool vac. And it's cheaper than most. If you want to try to repair it I'd take it to a licensed Zodiac repair pool store. Hope this helps.

@@PoolSchooler suppose I should have mentioned the mx8 is brand new out the box.. I had a Tucson prior to this model and it stopped climbing the walls, started going slow etc. Took it to my local pool store and that was worse as it no longer travelled at all. I bought the mx8 because it has the scrubbing feature which I thought was cool, but since I installed it to my skimmer at the highest setting it's giving me 10rotations in about 30seconds. Another video suggested I alternate closing my jandy valve to clear the lines.. this gave me about 3-5 more seconds in terms of rotations but Im still on the highest mx8 setting and not quite there yet. I tried to push the fish tape through the skimmer but it wouldn't go down more than 1foot.

@@giobucks6498 Honestly this is why I don't like that vacuum. Too much to deal with. The G3 is a plug and go. BUT how much suction are you getting from your skimmer? It is a lot? If so the problem is either the vacuum or the vacuum hoses.

I had a client who had the exact same problem with a brand new one. First they sent him a new one to replace the new one that quit working. Then that one failed and finally they refunded his money to him. He bought a G3 and has not had one problem with it in over 2 years.

You can do it either way. I've never had to use an adapter but if you have a lot of debris in the pool you may want to consider using a leaf vacuum(or bagger) that attaches to a garden hose and uses water pressure to create a vortex to suck the leaves etc into a mesh net attached to that type of vacuum.

Im not sure about that one. Typically about 2/3 to 3/4 of the suction goes to the vacuum and the other keeps the skimmer suction going as well. So I'm not sure why they did that.

They probably let the water level get too low and burned out the pump

Not at all. If the valve seems tight you might have the valve nut screwed down too tight. Try loosening it a bit and the valve should move easily with or without the pump running.

@@PoolSchooler I saw another video today where he said u had to off it, but that was not a Jany but the bigger ones with the backwash option.

@@JuanSanchez-tk4vr It may be true with other valves, but with the Jandy valve you shouldn’t have to turn off the pump to adjust it.

Sounds like you have a blockage in your vacuum line. Since it's a new build it may be come of the plaster or other debris has lodged in the line. Try either blowing it out or snaking the line out. I had a client who had this issue after having his pool resurfaced. There could also be a blockage at the valve that controls the suction between the vac and skimmer.

You actually may not have one.

You are correct Monique. However it's been my experience that it works great in theory, but personal experience has shown that this "diverter" doesn't always work as designed. But I do appreciate the information.

@@PoolSchooler Usually poor maintenence, such as letting the O ring go missing, having it put back incorrectly, etc. I have had it save me several times, until I put a automatic fill system in. My brother owns A pool where they cemented closed the bottom drain and dumped the float. He has gone through 3 main pumps now because they go on vacation, the water level drops below the skimmer, and then there is no water to feed the pump.

Yup, had to pull it out and screw it back in.

over seer the floor drain.

It may go directly to your main drain (or if you have an attached spa it could be that. Without actually seeing your pool system I can't be positive. But my guess is it's to the floor drain. Unless you have a pop up in floor cleaning system then it could also be for the leaf vac. Please check out my website poolschooler.com for great DIY stuff.

Wow I didn't t expect that fast a response..thank u soon much...my skimmer is clogged I guess I tried hose bladder. It kept shooting white stuff but dint clear clog ..pool filled up to top di.t finish clearing white stuff looks like filter powder..any advise?

@@estiben3508 you may want to try compressed air to “blow” out the line. OR it could be that the obstruction is at the jandy valve at your pump. Try opening uo that valve you may find your clog

@@PoolSchooler thanks again..I tried snaking it works a little better ..but now should I snake the jandy valve pipes also?

@@estiben3508 yes or open the valve up and manually check or clear it.

Tony Gyyn about 12,000 gallons

K Knight Could be a leak in one of many places. Potentially in your pressure relief valve area or cover for your sand filter. Once your equipment has sat for several hours after shutting off is there air in the pump then?

Pool School I just replaced the multivalve port. Maybe it didn’t get seated on the sand filter but I see no water leaks from anywhere. Definitely air leak. The pump basket is half full but has good priming. I could redo the piping from the pump into the multi port valve inlet.

K Knight So are you saying that after the equipment sits for several hours without running you’ll see air in the pump? If so you might want to check the pump lid and the lid O-ring usually that’s where you’re going to get some air in

Pool School pretty much within a minute the water leaves the pump. I will try replacing seal on pool filter. When I remove the cover even after water has drained the pump cover is hard to remove and makes a suction sound.

K Knight hmmmm yes after you check the filter seal I would double check the pump lid and the O-ring. If the O-ring is a little dry or it’s old it might have flattened out. Also, how tight are you screwing on that pump lid? It should just be snug. If you’re having to really crank it down then you’ve probably flattened out the O-ring and you should replace it and make sure you lubricate it really really well before you put a new one in.

It really depends on the system. That's why they have adjustments. Also do you have a suction side vacuum line as well. If so you'd adjust the three so that the vacuum would function well while still allowing the skimmer adequate suction to do it's job. But typically if there is a floor drain suction adjustment your pool's cleaning system is a popup system in that case you want to find the best adjustment between the floor/main drain and the skimmer to allow for optimal cleaning. Typically (BUT NOT ALWAYS) it means a bit more suction to the floor/main drain, but you have to try different combinations to get the ideal setting for your pool.

I added another comment, PLEASE SEE THAT COMMENT. IM DESPERATE, and have about lost my mind!

@@steveadams8487 I saw your other comments, and I responded to it. Hopefully, it helps.

PS, my pool does not have a pop up, it is a designated suction line, and I have 3 valves going into my pump. Main drain, skimmer, and vacuum. If I turn main drain off, and have skimmer about 25-30% open, the Atlas barely moves. If I close skimmer down more, the Atlas works great, but there hardly any water flow to pump at all. I SAN barely see it through top of pump housing, and motor starts sounding like it’s not getting enough water.

@@steveadams8487 typically if you have a lot of air in your pump, then there’s some type of leak possibly check your O-ring for the pump lid and make sure that the lid seals well with the O-ring and the pump housing. Just a thought make sure that your water level is high enough so that it’s covering half to 2/3 of the skimmer opening.

I'm not completely certain but perhaps that pool drainage is the floor drain. But I'm not sure. You don't want to accidentally drain your pool.

Wow! I have only known of one in ground pool that has not had a skimmer. And it was an extremely old pool.

azcharlie2009 not in Arizona residential pools. Perhaps commercial pools. Floor drains in Arizona residential pools are for cleaning not draining.

I live in Tucson. I have two valves and 3 pipes going into my pump suction side. One valve divides up what I thought was the floor drain and the skimmer. The other valve switches between the main pool (floor drain and skimmer) and the spa. The reason I ask is because the jets to my spa no longer work, and I'm wondering if there is a blockage on output side, or possible the drain side.

@@azcharlie2009 Perhaps you can email me a picture of the pipe configuration. Also, do you have a dedicated vacuum line for an in floor vac? If so, the three pipes may be for the skimmer, the vac line and the spa suction.

Yes I work on pools in Texas and have yet to come across one that didn't have a main drain valve to open or close it off, usually systems set up this way will have a thicker pipe on the suction side of the pump, usually that's the main drain.

When you put your pool in "spa mode" do you have to manually adjust valves or does your equipment have a automated valve that closes the pool side when in spa mode?