SUCTION LEAKS

A common problem with swimming pools are suction leaks. Each year when summer is fast approaching, I will receive a call in this regard. While the customer is on the phone, I go through a process of elimination. I first instruct them to turn the filter onto bypass to see if things improve. This is to check that there isn’t anything wrong with the filter. I then ask them to inspect the pump lid, o ring and the vacuum plate in the skimmer box. If that checks out okay, and the problem is still evident while on bypass with a restriction on the line, I will then go on site.

Suction leaks can be costly to repair due to the fact that it involves lifting up paving and breaking up concrete. Suction leaks aren’t always easy to find either, and sometimes due to the terrain you may have to run a new suction line. Suction leaks should be repaired as quickly as possible due to the fact you could damage your pump and will most certainly lead to poor filtration. You can also have water loss while the pump is off. Damaged fittings will leak water while the pump is off, and when the pump comes back on again the dirty water that has pooled at the damaged fitting will end up in the filter and you will need to backwash more often as well. Suction leaks will also affect pool equipment, and chlorinators might not have enough water flow over the cell to operate.