Swimming pool pump loses pressure when Kreepy is plugged in could be caused by several reasons.
- There is an air leak (suction leak) in the underground pipe between the weir (skimmer box) and the pump, causing the swimming pool pump to lose pressure.
- The connector fitting at the weir or the pump could be loose or perished.
- The shaft seal in the pump could be cracked and leaking.
- The filter sand could be clogged.
- The pump impeller or diffuser could be worn or damaged.
There is an air leak (suction leak) in the underground pipe between the weir (skimmer box) and the pump.
If the pipe between the weir and the pump has a break in it, as soon as any pressure is applied to the pipe (by plugging in the Kreepy) then the break sucks air into the system, causing the swimming pool pump to lose pressure.
This allows air into the system, causing the water level in the pump to drop.
Another sign is bubbles blowing back into the pool through the outlet (return jet).
If this is the case, the water level in the pool could drop overnight or when the pump is off. The pool will not lose any water while the pump is running, as the beak is sucking air.
When the pool pump switches off, the very place where the air was being sucked in can now start to leak water. This is because there is no longer any pressure on that pipe.
It’s important to note that this isn’t always the case, but eight to nine times out of 10, this is the case.
To remedy this, the pipes will need to be dug up and exposed. The leaking pipe will need to be repaired or replaced. Tthis should solve the problem of the swimming pool pump losing pressure.
Related article: Kreepy not working
The connector fitting at the weir or the pump could be loose or perished.
After many years, the fittings (elbows, joints and pipe connectors) get brittle. This results in the air getting into the system and the pump loses pressure when this happens.
The same thing usually happens as above, bubbles are seen returning to the pool through the pool jet.
This can be rectified by replacing the perished or loose elbows or joints.
The shaft seal in the pump could be cracked and leaking, causing the swimming pool pump to lose pressure.
In between the swimming pool pump motor and the wet-end (where the impeller and pump basket are,) a mechanical shaft seal keeps the motor dry.
If this seal cracks, the swimming pool pump loses pressure when the Kreepy is plugged in.
One usually sees water running out from underneath the pump, but this is not necessarily always the case.
It is prudent to get the mechanical shaft seal replaced as soon as possible because delaying this could worsen the condition of the shaft seal. The cracked shaft seal not only causes the swimming pool pump to lose pressure but also allows water into the motor (dry end of the pump). This can cause it to short and burn out.
The biggest reason that a shaft seal will crack on a pump is caused by running it on a broken suction pipe or running the pump dry (without any water in it). This causes the pump to overheat. To see more info on a swimming pool pump, click here.
Very often, if a break in the pipe is detected, once the pipe is replaced, the swimming pool pump can still lose pressure when the Kreepy is plugged in because the pool pump shaft seal is often damaged from running on a broken suction pipe.
The filter sand could be clogged, causing the swimming pool pump to lose pressure.
When a clogged sand filter is a reason for a swimming pool pump to lose pressure when the Kreepy is plugged in, the usual symptom of bubbles returning through the pool jet is not present.
The pump may run full (of water), and as soon as the Kreepy is plugged in it can lose all its pressure purely because the sand is clogged. Related Article: Tips to Keep Your Pool In Shape
To ascertain if this is the reason, then switch the pool pump off, turn the multiport handle from ‘Filter’ to ‘Bypass’ or ‘Circulate’. Then switch the pump back on and see if the swimming pool pump loses pressure when the Kreepy is plugged in.
If the pool pump runs perfectly with full pressure, then you may need to change the filter sand. Because the clogged sand is causing the pump to lose pressure.
The pump diffuser or impeller could be worn or damaged.
There are unseen parts of a swimming pool pump such as the impeller and diffuser. These could be the reason the swimming pool pump loses pressure when the Kreepy is plugged in.
Generally, the diffuser and impeller last longer than the motor of the pump itself.
Sometimes, however, the part can perish earlier because of debris or stones that can get past the pump basket and get sucked into the impeller.
If the impeller or diffuser is damaged the swimming pool pump will lose pressure when the Kreepy is plugged in because the centrifugal action cannot take place or be effective.
Most pool shops with a pump workshop can strip the pump and replace these parts.
The risk of replacing parts on an older pump is the pump body could be warped, and when the pump is reassembled it still doesn’t perform optimally because the pump body and pump casing don’t fit back together as it should.
Conclusion
The above scenarios are the most common reasons a swimming pool pump will lose pressure when the Kreepy is plugged in. Bear in mind, however, there could be other aspects contributing to the problem.
Very often it is a combination of a few of the above, and the only way to resolve it is to repair each item one by one, or as they visibly become apparent.
