I'm an newb-Poured Shock directly into Skimmer

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H

Hofinato10

Member
Apr 2, 2022
10
Dallas
So I'm new to owning a pool and I put aftershock(a lot) directly into my pool skimmer. I didn't know what would happen next but y'all probably do...

It caused a rock solid clog in my pool skimmer. I've been scraping it out with a knife and spoon and sticks or whatever else I could find for the past 2 weeks. Its made the smallest of dent in my problem but not much.

I bought a Drain King as I've heard that can unclog skimmers good. I tried it directly into the skimmer and also from the piping pushing it back up and out of the simmer....no luck and it ended up exploding the Drain king.

So what are my options. If there anything that can break apart/melt/dissolve rock solid afterschock?

As far as I can tell no one has been dumb enough like me to have this same problem so I haven't found any threads/pages/google searches on this lol
 
My water filter currently has 1 PSI. The waterfall kind of works but I can tell its not pumping like it should b/c of the 1PSI on the filter. I do see water flow into the pipings and back into the pool. But I think that might just be from the bottom of my pool rather than the skimmer
 
Welcome to TFP.

Never heard of aftershock. What is it?

Post a pic of the bottle label and ingredients.

Tell us about what type of pool you have and what type of skimmers.

Even better post pics of your clogged skimmers. There are many different types out there.

What type of filter do you?

Post pics of your equipment pad also.
 
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Hey Hof and Welcome ? Got any pics ? Is the skimmer pulling water or completely dead ?

1 psi doesn't mean anything. My VS pump ran near that alot in good times
 
Pool shock aka "liquid chlorine" is 90% or more water and the rest chlorine. I don't understand how it can harden.

Do you have the bottle of what you poured in? Show us pics of it.
 
Here is some more information. I had a filter replaced. The filter when brand new ran at 5 PSI. I shocked my pool with bags of shock the day after I got my filter but I poured it directly into the skimmer and left it running for 5-7 days something like that. I noticed my waterfall was getting dryer and the water pressure fell to 0 on my filter.

I turned the system off and realized the shock had settled into my skimmer piping and hardened. I managed to scrap away and chip away at one of the skimmer channels and free'd one. Not all the way but enough for water from that and the bottom of the pool to get into my system.

So I know my normal running pool should be 5 PSI and it hasn't been over 1 since I barely unclogged the system.

Water runs through the system in picture 3. But i'm assuming its not as much as it should be b/c my 1 PSI and also b/c I can literally see the scrap away at a clog in my skimmer pipes
 

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Note that the instructions on the box say to not add it to the skimmer.

And the solid trichlor you added contains chlorine, CYA, and acid. The acid will make the water flowing through your equipment highly acidic low pH and can damage your heater heat exchanger.

Trichlor is made to slowly dissolve in water over weeks, not rapidly.

Have you had your pump on 24/7 for the last 2 weeks?

I think you best plan is to run your pump 24/7 and keep water flowing through the pipes. The trichlor will dissolve in time but it can take weeks.

If you stop the pump you will then get a buildup of highly acidic water when you start the pump and more likely damage the heater.
 
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Is this pool new to you? Do you normally put products loose into the skimmer? No bueno. As you see why. We'd love to help you learn how to maintain your pool and equipment the TFP way!

Please take time and read some of our helpful Pool School articles.
www.troublefreepool.com

Recommended Pool Chemicals

Which should I buy? TFP's recommended pool chemicals are cheap, easy, and won't unbalance your pool water.
www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com
www.troublefreepool.com

Non-Recommended Pool Chemicals

These pool chemicals should not be added to your pool. Save your money and frustration and avoid these chemicals!
www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com
www.troublefreepool.com

How to Chlorinate Your Pool

Before chlorinating your pool, you should know these simple tips. Learn the best way to add chlorine to your pool.
www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com
 
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ajw22 said:
Note that the instructions on the box say to not add it to the skimmer.

And the solid trichlor you added contains chlorine, CYA, and acid. The acid will make the water flowing through your equipment highly acidic low pH and can damage your heater heat exchanger.

Trichlor is made to slowly dissolve in water over weeks, not rapidly.

Have you had your pump on 24/7 for the last 2 weeks?

I think you best plan is to run your pump 24/7 and keep water flowing through the pipes. The trichlor will dissolve in time but it can take weeks.

If you stop the pump you will then get a buildup of highly acidic water when you start the pump and more likely damage the heater.
Click to expand...
Ok thanks. I turned it off the last week while I tried to figure out this problem. Didn't want to burn out my motor which is super old and on its last life

I turned it back on and will just let it run its course. The heater doesn't work and disconnected so it'll be fine
 
Are you getting flow out if the returns with no air bubbles?
 
mknauss said:
A suction side leak. Is there air under pump basket lid?

Normally, using Pool Lube - Further Reading on the gasket for the pump basket lid will solve suction side leaks.
Click to expand...

Is that the clear thing I see water in? Its not always full or water...sometimes half water and half air. But when I turn the pump off water starts to overflow out of there non stop


I wish I could just nuke this whole pool. Waterfall turned off...water pressure back to 0 PSI after I had turned it on for a few days. So now everything is back off
 
Hofinato10 said:
Is that the clear thing I see water in?
Click to expand...
yes. It should be and stay full of water.
Hofinato10 said:
But when I turn the pump off water starts to overflow out of there non stop
Click to expand...
You are pulling air in at that lid or before it. That air builds in the filter and then pushes out through the same leaks when you turn the pump off.
 
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