What causes air in your pool lines and how do you get rid of it?

Answer 1

Air in lines is usually a suction problem (suction side). Everything from the skimmer to the pump. Rarely from the pump back to the pool ( return side)Raise the level of the pool to or at the middle of the skimmer throat.

Check that the pump lid o-ring is seated properly - not pinched - use a small amount of vasaline to lube the o-ring. Secure the lid but not over-tight. Check the pipes in and out of the pump to see if they are slightly loose. If loose try to tighten them. ( clamps? PVC pipe? no unions on pipe - you may have to cut the pipe, replace the loose pump fitting and glue back together). Loose pump fittings are caused by over heating of the pump - caused by low water levels.

Another possibility would be a leaking pump seal. Sometimes you can determine a leaking pump seal by looking at the area between the motor and the pump pot for dampness or water dripping ( the part that holds the pump strainer basket). Water may drip only when the motor is running or on the other hand it could only drip when the pump is off. Pump seals do not last forever and have a shortened life span when the pH is lower than 7.0 . Replacing the pump seal may take special tools that you would not have or could not get at big box stores or even at local pool stores. However, some seals are fairly simple to do - you just have to remember in which order the parts go and how to set the seal and to use new o-rings and gaskets. k