The strainer basket in the pool pump housing assembly collects large pieces of debris that were missed by the skimmer or were sucked in through the main drains. The pool pump strainer prevents debris from entering the pump assembly and clogging the impeller. To prevent the strainer from clogging and reducing the flow of water through the pool system, the pool pump strainer basket should be checked and cleared weekly.
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InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 7/15/2012
new-pool-user, You must have a leak somewhere. Look around the parts that you just replaced. If the leak is on the pressure side, after the pump, you should see water spraying or dripping out. If it's on the suction side, strainer basket to the pool, you won't see a spray until possibly you shut the pump off and the back pressure spays the water out. Check the connection you made when you replaced the pump. If you have a union, check that the O-ring in the union is set properly. Replaced the strainer backet gasket if you haven't replaced it recently.Reply
Theo Posted: 7/13/2012
i bought a new pump tank and filter and it says i have no flow,whats the problem?Reply
new-pool-user Posted: 6/28/2012
Question: Just had the pump motor and entire sand filter replaced. When I run the pump, everything appears fine - the water gets to and stays at the top of the strainer housing. However, when I turn the pump off, the water in the strainer housing slowly drains away out of the housing. Previously, the water remained at the top of the housing when pump was off. Is this a problem with the seal (gasket) at the strainer lid - or is it more likely to be a loose fitting somewhere in the tubing to the sand filter? I removed and re-tightened the strainer lid 3 times to insure a proper seal, but still no luck. Don't see any leaks anywhere else. I'm concerned with starting the pump 'dry'.Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 6/27/2012
cracked strainer housing - The Hayward rep said this is either a Hayward Matrix of Hayward Flo LX pump. But in either case, replacing the strainer housing is fairly easy. Remove the input hose. Then remove the strainer housing "C" clip between the housing and the rest of the pump. Then unscrew the housing from the housing cover.Reply
Anonymous Posted: 6/25/2012
My son has a Hayward Swim Pro Pump which has a cracked strainer. It appears that the strainer can be unscrewed from the motor to replace it but are there and tricks or secrets to make the replacement easier?Reply
Anonymous Posted: 6/21/2012
I HAVE A FLOTEC PUMP WITH AN OVER TIGHTENED COVER. NOWHERE COULD I FIND A LID REMOVAL TOOL. I HAVE SINCE STOPPED LOOKING AND SOLVED THE PROBLEM. PLEASE POST THIS FOR OTHERS TO SEE. A STRAP WRENCH WOULD HAVE WORKED BUT COSTS 30-50 DOLLARS. THIS IS MUCH SIMPLER. WILL NOT WORK ON ALL COVERS. ONLY THOSE COVERS WITH RAISED CORNER NOTCHES. PLACE AN 18"LG OR OTHER APPROPRIATE LENGTH AND WIDTH BOARD BETWEEN NOTCHES AND TURNAWAY. WORKS EVERY TIME AND SIMPLE AND INEXPENSIVE.
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InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 6/16/2012
diane - If you only ran the pump for a short period of time with the cover open, your pump is probably OK. If you run it for an extended time the pump will overheat and shut off.Reply
diane Posted: 6/16/2012
what happens if you open the strainer basket without turning off pumP (which is what i did) does it cause damage?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 6/9/2012
JD - Your Doughboy filter should have a drain plug at the bottom of the filter. Open that slightly until water sprays out. That should relieve the pressure. Shut it off right after the pressure is released.Reply
JD Posted: 6/7/2012
Instructions look easy. However, my Doughboy Silica II Sand Filter does not appear to have an air release valve (unit about 10 years old; I just moved into this house). Any suggestions? Thanks!Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 5/12/2012
The motor bearings may be going or you may have some obstruction in the pump. Pull the motor off and see if the impeller of diffuser is clogged or broken. If the impeller does not move freely after you clear any debris, the bearings are probably going.Reply
Anonymous Posted: 5/12/2012
pump motor extremely loud compared to last summer?????Reply
betsy Posted: 3/5/2012
Thank you so much for all the good information.I am learning to do my own maintance and fixing small jobs.Your instructions are very clear and easy to understand.Reply
Bobcat Posted: 1/2/2012
Thank you for the information on the pool pump strainerReply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 9/4/2011
Check your strainer cover seal to make sure your pump's not sucking air. Or with all the debris your filter may need to be cleaned. If that's OK you may have a blockage in one of your lines. You may need a pool professional to check that out.Reply
S Posted: 9/3/2011
Hurricane, then backwashed to waste to drop water lever. skimmers functioning fine pressure under 15 But after vaccuuming IGP of hurricane debris and emptying strainer first time,,,,the basket housing cannot fill up with water only about 3 inches, and "0" pressure HELPReply
Dorothy Hunter Posted: 7/31/2011
Thank you...Thank you--It had to do with the priming.It is now working great!Reply
bekk Posted: 6/30/2011
What should the skimmer basket top (twist kind) look like when it is properly aligned. Mine looks like it has several flanges that should fit beneath lips but I can only get it to go on about half-way. I forgot to look when I took it off and now am not sure whether the entire flange pieces need to fit in the open spaces or whether they only partly show and the rest of the area looks open. I know I'm not making sense but maybe someone with a twist type filter basket top can look at theirs and tell me what it should look like. Thank you so much.Reply
Anonymous Posted: 6/16/2011
When my pool pump turns off the debris that has been collected in strainer while it was on shoots out sometimes back into the pool but not alsway. I am concerned It is going to clog the pipes since I don't get the opportunilty to clean it out. I thought it might be doing this because my pool water level was low but that is definitely not the case after we have had some good rain. Can anyone help? Thank you!Reply
skaynj Posted: 6/12/2011
why does my pump run dry after a while. Each time my timer activates my pump, i have to physically prime it until water starts coming out. When i am not around my pump run without water in the strainer. Need helpReply
Laurah952 Posted: 5/18/2011
Can anyone help? We just opened the pool, and when looking at the pump's strainer, we noticed too much air in it. The pressure on the filter is perfect, (so far)the water suction into the basket (at the skimmer level) is very strong, and the return through the "eyeball" is very strong. There is just too much air in the strainer, and I have turned the filter off.The o-rings I located so far are in place in the strainer, and the "big tank" cartridge housing. I haven't noticed any leaks, and have primed the filter several times to no avail. I'm not sure if gaskets/o-rings should be in place where the hoses attach to the pool. I don't think the hoses are cracked, but both the filter and I were soaked from the priming, etc.
Can anyone help?
Thanks! Laura
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Anonymous Posted: 10/10/2010
Thanks so much. I'm a single mom who was able to troubleshoot and fix the pump myself with your instructions. Woo hoo!Reply