I am a newbie to the pool maintenance and I am learning to maintain the pool and now I am confused on the next step for cleaning the pump strainer basket. Any answers or comments or advice highly appreciated.
How to clean the pump strainer basket
- Thread starter Aung
- Start date
I am a newbie to the pool maintenance and I am learning to maintain the pool and now I am confused on the next step for cleaning the pump strainer basket. Any answers or comments or advice highly appreciated.
- Jun 22, 2014
- 51,990
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
Welcome to TFP! 
For power, turn off the switch (item 1). That should turn off the pump. Also watch to see if it turns off the chlorinator as well as they might be tied together. If not, then turn that off as well. For the valve, hard to tell from the pic, but I believe you want that handle perpendicular (sideways) to the pump inlet pipe. So I would turn the valve slightly clockwise so that the red dot (handle tip) is pointing down in the pic (away from pipe B). You'll know if that works as soon as you open the clear lid to the pump pot. If the handle still needs to be moved, you can do so at that point even if the lid is off. Also keep in mind that i you open the filter for cleaning with the clear lid off, water will flow backwards to the pot as well. Hope that helps.
www.troublefreepool.com
For power, turn off the switch (item 1). That should turn off the pump. Also watch to see if it turns off the chlorinator as well as they might be tied together. If not, then turn that off as well. For the valve, hard to tell from the pic, but I believe you want that handle perpendicular (sideways) to the pump inlet pipe. So I would turn the valve slightly clockwise so that the red dot (handle tip) is pointing down in the pic (away from pipe B). You'll know if that works as soon as you open the clear lid to the pump pot. If the handle still needs to be moved, you can do so at that point even if the lid is off. Also keep in mind that i you open the filter for cleaning with the clear lid off, water will flow backwards to the pot as well. Hope that helps.
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Thank you so much for your precious advice. Yes, the chlorinator (item 2) is controlling the pump via timers and all power went off when switch 1 is (Item 1) is turned off. The only thing is when Item 1 is switched on, the chlorinator does not have any timer. I think the timer is wiped out.Welcome to TFP!
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Your one-stop shop for all things TFP to include: ABCs of Water Chemistry, Recommended Chemicals/Levels, Test Kits, Troubleshooting, and much more!
- Is it normal for the timer going off when the power switch is turned off? Does it mean I need to reset the timber whenever I switched off the power (Item 1)?
Best Regards
Aung
CRAD_oz
Bronze Supporter
Hi Aung
As Texas said you can switch off the power at the GPO to stop the pump from starting while cleaning the strainer.
If your timers have reset after switching off the power to the chlorinator then the battery in the Zodiac has probably gone. (common issue with the zodiac). You will have to reset the start and stop times and set the chlorine cell output back to where it was before the power loss to the chlorinator.
As Texas said you can switch off the power at the GPO to stop the pump from starting while cleaning the strainer.
If your timers have reset after switching off the power to the chlorinator then the battery in the Zodiac has probably gone. (common issue with the zodiac). You will have to reset the start and stop times and set the chlorine cell output back to where it was before the power loss to the chlorinator.
Thank you so much. Now all clear in my head. You guys are jewels : )
CRAD_oz
Bronze Supporter
also to reduce the amount of debris getting into your pump suction basket you can use Skimmer socks. Put the skimmer sock in you pool skimmer basket to capture the fine stuff that normally gets past the skimmer basket . You can pick them up from your local Bunnings. No need to go to the Pool shop.
www.bunnings.com.au
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Hi Crad,also to reduce the amount of debris getting into your pump suction basket you can use Skimmer socks. Put the skimmer sock in you pool skimmer basket to capture the fine stuff that normally gets past the skimmer basket . You can pick them up from your local Bunnings. No need to go to the Pool shop.
{productName}
Find {productName} at Bunnings. Visit your local store for the widest range of products.
I can't say thank you enough. I will definitely buy and use the skimmer socks.
My pool has In floor cleaning system. Does it mean I do not need to vacuum?
If I need to vacuum, the summary steps would be:
1) I will need to find out which one is the skimmer pipe either A or B and I have to close the other pipe (probably close the valve of the pipe B (? main drain).
2) Then, I just need to turn on the pump and vacuum the floor and turn off the pump.
3) Then, take out the vacuum equipment and switch on the pump as usual.
Am I correct?
Thank you so much again,
Best Regards,
Aung
- Jun 22, 2014
- 51,990
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
Aung, yes you will still need to vacuum. The in-floor won't get everything. If you are using a suction-driven cleaner (or manual), be sure to purge the vacuum hose of all air before connecting it to the skimmer or wall vacuum port (if installed). Yes, place any 3-way valve so that vacuum suction is focused on that vacuum line. Once done turn off the pump and remove the vacuum line. If there was a lot of debris, you might also need to clean the filter afterwards.
Hi Texas, Thank you so much again for your advice. When I check my pool floor, there are a few things I cannot find out what they are for [A, B, C, D in my newly attached diagram] and so I think I do not have wall vacuum port. So, I think I just have to use skimmer for vacuum. Best Regards,
Attachments
- Jun 22, 2014
- 51,990
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
You are correct about the drain and floor pop-ups. I believe D might just be an equalizer line to the skimmer (and/or drain) so you never loose prime if something happens at the skimmer. As for the 3 near the water line, one might be for a vacuum and the other two to assist during in-floor cleaning. Or all 3 might be for in-floor. You should be able to tell once you activate the in-floor system and check for suction at those 3 areas. If you have a vacuum label back at the equipment pad, put the valve on vacuum to see if it pulls suction at any of those 3 ports. If not, then you would connect a vacuum hose directly to the skimmer. Hope that makes sense.
CRAD_oz
Bronze Supporter
Hard to tell from the picture of your pump pad but A,B and C might be the suction and discharge ports for your roof solar system. Two ports for suction and one for the return of the heated water. That's how mine is setup.
Thank you so much for your comment again, Crad. In fact, I got a quick summary note from my previous owner who mentioned as "The solar pool heater works very well and you will want to turn it off in the summer". But I still cannot find out which one is the right switch for the pool heater and how to turn it off
Probably, the circular one beside the chlorinator might be the solar heater.
Attachments
CRAD_oz
Bronze Supporter
Hi Crad,
Thank you so very much. Both of you two are very kind-hearted.
I will try to sort out that as well.
Wishing you all the best,
Regards,
Aung
