Weir Causing Vortex in Skimmer?

[CaseyJones76]

When I opened my pool this year the pump was surging and the pump pot was not staying primed. I determined that the weir in the skimmer was staying open and causing a vortex, as everything returned to normal after I removed the weir. I trimmed about a half inch off the weir but the problem continues. Should I trim the weir more? Could something else be causing the vortex/surging? Not sure what it could be because like I said it works normally with the weir removed. Thanks.

 

[PoolStored]

I'm guessing, but your water level is probably low in the skimmer. Water level should be 50% up the opening.

 

[Jimrahbe]

76,

Your weir door should move freely up and down with the water level. If it does not, something is causing it to stick up..

Your skimmer will not actually "skim" without a weir door.. Skimming is about 50% less effective without a weir door. Kind of why they are there..

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[CaseyJones76]

I'm guessing, but your water level is probably low in the skimmer. Water level should be 50% up the opening.

No, the water is a little more than halfway up the skimmer.

 

[CaseyJones76]

76,

Your weir door should move freely up and down with the water level. If it does not, something is causing it to stick up..

Your skimmer will not actually "skim" without a weir door.. Skimming is about 50% less effective without a weir door. Kind of why they are there..

Thanks,

Jim R.

It’s actually stuck in the horizontal/down position (fully open). I don’t see anything in there that would be causing it to stick.

 

[PoolStored]

Can you take a few pictures from both pot an pool side?

 

[1poolman1]

When I opened my pool this year the pump was surging and the pump pot was not staying primed. I determined that the weir in the skimmer was staying open and causing a vortex, as everything returned to normal after I removed the weir. I trimmed about a half inch off the weir but the problem continues. Should I trim the weir more? Could something else be causing the vortex/surging? Not sure what it could be because like I said it works normally with the weir removed. Thanks.

Many times a large rock, half a brick 9or a whole one on end), etc. (too large to get into the plumbing) will eliminate a vortex. Worth a shot.

 

[CaseyJones76]

Can you take a few pictures from both pot an pool side?

 

[CaseyJones76]

Many times a large rock, half a brick 9or a whole one on end), etc. (too large to get into the plumbing) will eliminate a vortex. Worth a shot.

I have a rock in there already that's a little larger than a golf ball. It's the same rock from last year when I didn't have a vortex.

 

[PoolStored]

Your water level is low. It should be where the blue line is on the skimmer mouth. And you need the weir doors installed.

 

[Lake Placid]

Target a water level just under the next screw on the skimmer bracket plate for starters.

 

[CaseyJones76]

Your water level is low. It should be where the blue line is on the skimmer mouth. And you need the weir doors installed.

View attachment 579723

But the water level is actually slightly higher than it normally is, and the second screw up on the skimmer plate is more than halfway up (Hard to distinguish in pic).

Your water level is low. It should be where the blue line is on the skimmer mouth. And you need the weir doors installed.

View attachment 579723

 

[Jimrahbe]

76,

Weir Doors usually have foam in them that cause them to float.. Maybe the foam is missing or saturated..

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[1poolman1]

I have a rock in there already that's a little larger than a golf ball. It's the same rock from last year when I didn't have a vortex.

Water level low. Golf ball, small. Large rock, brick to break up the waterflow. If there is a weir in that skimmer it is laying flat which is an indication of no floatation or very-low water going very fast over it, the skimmer is actually almost running dry and you get air.
Pools are never the same one year to the next. That's why I have had a business.

 

[CaseyJones76]

76,

Weir Doors usually have foam in them that cause them to float.. Maybe the foam is missing or saturated..

Thanks,

Jim R.

I tried a brand new weir and it did not help.

 

[CaseyJones76]

Water level low. Golf ball, small. Large rock, brick to break up the waterflow. If there is a weir in that skimmer it is laying flat which is an indication of no floatation or very-low water going very fast over it, the skimmer is actually almost running dry and you get air.
Pools are never the same one year to the next. That's why I have had a business.

This might be a dumb question but could a larger rock/brick obstruct too much of the skimmer/drain to the pump? Should the rock be about the size of a baseball?

 

[CaseyJones76]

I have a rock about the size of a baseball in my skimmer basket, and it covers most of the bottom of the basket. Is this too big? Could it somehow affect the operation of the pump/skimmer? The rock is large to help prevent the vortex I was getting in the basket.

 

[pjt]

Is this too big?

Probably not. It's critical that the rock is bigger than the hole in the bottom of the skimmer to prevent it from getting sucked into the pipe by accident.

Could it somehow affect the operation of the pump/skimmer?

There's plenty of area on the sides of the skimmer basket, so it shouldn't affect operation.

 

[CaseyJones76]

Thank you!

 

[1poolman1]

I have a rock about the size of a baseball in my skimmer basket, and it covers most of the bottom of the basket. Is this too big? Could it somehow affect the operation of the pump/skimmer? The rock is large to help prevent the vortex I was getting in the basket.

Don't forget the sides of the basket have slots as well.