pool pump breake down

[PeteC]

What I forgot to say was, we have an overflow type of pool with a separate water holding tank; that tank was almost empty when we discovered the pump wasn't working. Could water starvation have caused the pump to fail?

It's a wee bit difficult to keep on top of this, as we don't live here. BL

Yes.....I suspect that would do it as the pump would be running dry. However...... with all overflow systems at least one of the floor drains in the deep end of the pool should be open at least half way. I don't know why, that just seems to be SOP and it's a good one as if problems as you describe with your overflow tank, at least the pump and filter are getting water to it. Pete

EDIT: To clarify. With my overflow system the holding tank doesn't have a hole in the bottom where the water is sucked into the filter by the pump. There is a 4" pvc pipe with a debris guard head on it suspended down from near the top of the tank, and it ends about 10" or so above the tank floor. So, you could look into my tank and see water, but that doesn't mean the pump is pumping it into the filter. Therefore as above, the need to have one of the floor drains open at least partially as a backup.

[Nereus]

As Pete as written, it is possible for the pump to lose suction, but it depends on how the complete system is plumbed in. As I have posted above, it is not possible to say just what caused the pump to fail without knowing the fault. As it is you have not said if it was the motor that failed, or the pump itself.

My system is just a plain type circulating from a skimmer box. Originally all the of the suction piping returned to a common manifold, with isolating valves on each line coming from the pool, as it should be. In my absence a "technician" from a well known company in Hua Hin changed the piping around and now it is not possible to open a suction line from the main drain at the bottom of the pool! The only suction to the filter pump is from the skimmer box.

On the other hand, the Spa pump is now connected to the main drain!

So it is not possible to back wash if it had such a system, or drain the pool of excess water when it overflows from rain. But the most stupid part of it is, as Pete as once again pointed out, it is not possible to have the line from the main drain cracked open a bit to guard against the water level in the pool dropping below the skimmer box.

The company that did this has recently been on here, without being a sponsor, airing his knowledge about the chemical balance of pool water! It makes you think, doesn't it?

[bonnielass]

Guys, thanks for your input on this. It sounds hellishly complex and there seems to be many variables.

Next time we visit I reckon we will ask a professional to look at the whole system and get to the bottom of the problem.

Cheers

BL

[Nereus]

Next time we visit I reckon we will ask a professional to look at the whole system and get to the bottom of the problem.
Cheers BL

In that case you are advised to bring such a person with you!