How to unclog your pool lines and pool filter with basic wet dry vacuum!

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  • čas přidán 26. 07. 2024
  • Here are some easy steps on getting your pool lines cleared up after they've been clogged with leaves or debris. With a shop vac and a garden hose, you should be able to do it your self. Make sure not to get the extension cord connection caught in the water flow area. Also, make sure your vacuum is a wet/vac. With this easy tutorial, you should have your water pump working in no time. Hopefully, this will help show you how to keep your pool clean. Happy Swimming, Bakersfield Tuff.
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Komentáře • 105

  • @alil8698
    @alil8698 Před měsícem

    You're a lifesaver!! I had my nearby palm trees trimmed which left a ton of debris in my pool. I used a manual pool vac to clean my pool, thinking that would be the quickest way to get the debris out of my water to keep my water healthy, not thinking that using the vacuum would clog my pipes. But it did. No water flow, no water getting to my pump, and it wouldn't backwash at all. I was freaking out, and quickly started searching when I found your video. I used my shopvac to basically pump out my pool vac line, and at first (like for 5 minutes) I wasn't getting anything but water. And no change with water flow/pump/backwash ability. But I kept at it and although I didn't get a huge amount of debris, the shopvac trick must have unblocked the clog because water started flowing from my returns, the pump filled with water, and I was able to backwash. You saved the day!

  • @newyou9914
    @newyou9914 Před 2 lety +2

    This video is a God send!!!! I was vaccuming my pool and then I was ready to prime my pump. It wasn't priming, filter wasn't filling up. Discovered a rock in the pipe in the skimmer. Tried to remove it and dropped it down the pipe!!! Ugh! Watched your video. Went out and boom! First try I was able to suck out the rock!!! Thank you so very very much for this video!!!!🙏🙏🙏 I have already subscribed! lol

  • @shanerowsey
    @shanerowsey Před 3 měsíci +2

    He’s referring to a drain bladder at 3:25, it’s a great tool to have. It screws on the hose and pressurized the water to clear up the line.

  • @tangledline
    @tangledline Před rokem +2

    Thanks man! Helped alot! I tried that rubber expansion balloon and it blew into my line! I had to let the water bring it back up thank god. The shop vac works better.

  • @nemansyed
    @nemansyed Před 2 lety +1

    Thank you for this wonderfully simple solution! I had been thinking about snaking, but not only did you remind me of the wet function of my shop vac, it was SO much easier. You not only saved me the grief, but you saved me a service call on the Saturday of a long weekend during a pool party. :-)
    The vacuum canister doesn't have to fill with all kinds of obvious guck either. Sometimes the action of dislodging anything might be enough to loosen everything once the water starts flowing again.
    I ran my vacuum for 5 draws of 9 US gal (around 170 L in total) because I didn't know how much water was in my lines.
    BIG TIP: When you restart the pump, water can take a disturbingly long time to start flowing back into the pool, because you've emptied the line of water, and the pump has to pull enough air to displace the water. Your pump will sound very odd as it draws air and increasing amounts of water over a much longer period of time than you may expect. Be patient.
    For those of you asking which hole, it's the same one you'd use for vacuuming (suction). Whether you use a skimmer hole or a dedicated one in the wall to vacuum, it's that one.

  • @craigrobertson762
    @craigrobertson762 Před 4 lety +1

    Hi
    This was a very helpful video thanks from England .....proper job ...

  • @mikvideo6366
    @mikvideo6366 Před 5 lety +5

    worked great! , pool cleaner line had several pieces of plastic debris, barracuda is back on the job.

    • @btuff
      @btuff  Před 5 lety +1

      awesome. Better than paying someone 200 bucks to do it.

  • @shanyroo
    @shanyroo Před 3 lety

    Thank you!!!! Super helpful.

  • @chaosncheckt9356
    @chaosncheckt9356 Před 3 lety +12

    Called a hydroflush. You don't have to remove that cover. Remove the glass/clear cover to your left, shove the hydroflush into there and it should work. Or you can use the hydroflush on the skimmer side. There about $10 at Lowes

  • @jasonclark8609
    @jasonclark8609 Před 5 lety +1

    This is what I needed to learn today.. thanks..

    • @btuff
      @btuff  Před 5 lety +1

      Awesome. thanks for checking out our page.

  • @shannonvick3125
    @shannonvick3125 Před 9 měsíci

    You're a godsend!!! Thanks soooo much for making this simple video!!! I'm going to go try it now and I think it's gonna do the trick! Thanks for being bad a$$!!! 👍💪🏽

  • @bryancrossley1
    @bryancrossley1 Před 3 lety

    great video man, thank you!

    • @btuff
      @btuff  Před 3 lety

      You bet, thanks for the reply.

  • @normaaviles3085
    @normaaviles3085 Před 4 lety

    thanks for the help

  • @markrogers7172
    @markrogers7172 Před 3 lety +3

    I vacuumed my pool after a storm we had (a lot of leaves/debris left after I skimmed most) and lost pressure in my skimmer line. This is the first video I watched and it did the trick! I actually have similar wet vac. I just used my pool vacuum hose. Thanks So Much!

  • @Batz5150
    @Batz5150 Před 4 lety

    One of my customers dropped a spring component down the pool side "main drain" hole of the skimmer.
    not the suction side (thank god). Is there anyway to blow that side out? its not jammed just lost down there somewhere. Too far to even see.

  • @cameronisbomb1734
    @cameronisbomb1734 Před 3 lety

    super helpful!

    • @btuff
      @btuff  Před 3 lety

      Glad it helped!

  • @imteezworld9934
    @imteezworld9934 Před 2 lety +3

    I can vouch for this method. My pool pump is at optimum Power now and is super silent

  • @RVGFam
    @RVGFam Před 4 lety

    Great info. How would you unclog the jacuzzi jets? Is there a similar way?

    • @btuff
      @btuff  Před 4 lety

      yes

    • @RVGFam
      @RVGFam Před 4 lety

      @@btuff I have a pentair. I tried using the shop vac pushing through the PVC pipe next to the pump system but still no luck. hmmmm

    • @tyshat3371
      @tyshat3371 Před 3 lety

      I have a Jandy, How may I unplug the spa jets? Also, what’s the name of the tool plumbers use to make a tight seal?

  • @princeofwaldo
    @princeofwaldo Před rokem

    When applying vacuum to the skimmer return line as shown in the video, the lid needs to be off the pump housing to allow air into the line, correct??

  • @malversation1
    @malversation1 Před 3 lety +8

    Good video. That piece you put in the end of the hose is called a pressure bladder.

  • @timcurfman6564
    @timcurfman6564 Před 4 lety +4

    Where did ya hook the hose to the drain

  • @RobertyFamily
    @RobertyFamily Před rokem

    Quick and easy solution

  • @lig1241
    @lig1241 Před 4 lety

    BEST WAY TO UNCLOG ON CZcams I WENT THROUGH TODAY. SUBSBRIBED

  • @christopherdelosangeles8960

    How many hp is the wet dry vac you used ?

  • @dmatt2327
    @dmatt2327 Před 5 lety +36

    just a friendly comment. You shouldn't have chlorine tabs in your skimmer basket.....creates high acidity when the pump is off and eats away at the basket and pipes in that area

    • @porgesto8809
      @porgesto8809 Před 5 lety +2

      D Matt Chlorine is not acidic.

    • @dmatt2327
      @dmatt2327 Před 5 lety +8

      @@porgesto8809 if you have your pool pump running 24/7/365, you are correct. if your pool pump turns off, trichlor sits and actually does become pretty acidic.

    • @hulyandabid1523
      @hulyandabid1523 Před 5 lety +2

      Agree. I have trichlor floater stuck for just 12 hours in a dead shallow pool spot. It removed the calcium deposits from that specific area. Wew

    • @frankwiddifield7520
      @frankwiddifield7520 Před 4 lety +10

      @@porgesto8809 chlorine is very acidic! Chlorine gas has a Ph of 0, Trichlor has a Ph Value 2.7! Anything under 7 is a acid! When chlorine reacts with the hydrogen in water it turns into hypochlorous acid! So please tell me again why chlorine is not acidic??

    • @ericfranz4533
      @ericfranz4533 Před 3 lety +1

      I used to put chlorine tablets in my skimmer also, but took them out, because they were corroding the copper lines to my pool filters, and causing leaks...

  • @rockyeasterline348
    @rockyeasterline348 Před 5 lety +5

    So nice to hear English

  • @marthaprado8258
    @marthaprado8258 Před 4 lety

    I have a question. Water hose got stuck in the side skimmer of the pool. You think this might help?

    • @btuff
      @btuff  Před 4 lety

      If it's causing a jam yes.

  • @FirstHolyGrandsonofHeaven926

    Thank you for that information!

  • @anitarushlow4022
    @anitarushlow4022 Před 5 lety

    I am one of your subs....got a ? for you. My electronic pool cleaner is a Polaris 280 that plugs into a female fitting on the side of the pool. It is a return. (not a suction) I also have 3 other return jets with the "eyeball" fitting. I don't have an extender hose as shown in your vid. If I want to clean this out using a wet vac, do I need an extender hose? Thanks for your help.

    • @btuff
      @btuff  Před 5 lety +2

      It can't be a return if it's plugged into the vac. The jets are the returns. You can get these hoses very cheap at the local pool supply. They may give you an old one.

    • @anitarushlow4022
      @anitarushlow4022 Před 5 lety +2

      @@btuff Thanks for the prompt reply. My lingo might be confusing, sorry. I plug the Polaris 280 into this fitting in my pool. This is how it was set up when it was built in 2007. I have always used this fitting (I don't really know what to call it) for my Polaris to help clean my pool. The reason I refer to it as a "return" is because when I disconnect the Polaris, water shoots out of it. That is why I called it a "return", cuz it returns water to the pool. My Polaris has it's own motor. I run it daily to sweep the bottom and sides of my pool. Any additional feedback would be greatly appreciated! Thanks again :)

    • @btuff
      @btuff  Před 5 lety

      Basically what you're doing is reversing the flow in the suction side. That really is the only place you can have a clogged pipe. So we need to suck it the opposite direction. You're pool vac is obviously the suction side as it picks up debris. We need to use the hose that connects to your suction device.

    • @cashionsikes9320
      @cashionsikes9320 Před 3 lety

      @@anitarushlow4022 hi there! I'm trying to determine if like is clogged in my mom's pool and like you I use her polaris to clean daily that is connected to the side.port.on the pool next to another outgoing eyeball jet. I totalllly get your lingo and undedtasn what you are saying and asking but never heard a true answer or soluton to your quest from BTUFF. More importantly...did you hioke your whole wet/dry vac up to that"polaris port" in the pool to check for clogs and or did you go to your vacuum port in your skimmer basket where he was implying you needed to use to reverse the flow on the auction side. I am clueless. And broke. And desperate to do something right for my 80 yr old, greatly disappointed-in-me mother and can't seem to get the courage to ask for a play by play on what to do if you have a pool set-up like you have so I was hoping you could maybe briefly, and in your own time explain if you were able to unclog or find a clog in your pool with this method. And if so, did you buy a different cheap hose from the pool supply place and connect it to your shop vac hose and then into the "polaris port" and turn the vacuum on or put the hose on the exit "blowing out" side of the wet/dry vac. I'm so confused! Sorry sincerely for the stupid questions but you seemed quite confident enough in what "structure/setup" hour pool has and it sounds like her pool with Hayward filter pump built back in 1996!! Any help you can give me will or is beyond appreciated. Thank you!

    • @danharrison3794
      @danharrison3794 Před 3 měsíci +1

      @@anitarushlow4022 Polaris 280 is a pressure side cleaner. Those lines rarely clog. He’s referring to clearing only the suction lines from the main drain and skimmer.

  • @cwclifford
    @cwclifford Před 4 lety +2

    The skimmer portion....what do you do? Which line? You glossed right over it. Otherwise, I'll try the other two methods. Thanks!

    • @btuff
      @btuff  Před 4 lety +1

      Whatever line has the suction from the pool, push it into that. You're basically reversing the suction side.

    • @TheGreatConstantini
      @TheGreatConstantini Před 3 lety +1

      Was it sucking into the wet dry vac or blowing?

  • @mistifeyed
    @mistifeyed Před 4 lety +2

    You didn’t say which of the holes in the skimmer to put the vacuum tube in and the pump directions were equally as vague. Where does the vacuum go in the jandy valve opening? What if your valve is vertical like mine?

    • @btuff
      @btuff  Před 4 lety +1

      Whatever drain has the suction

    • @carnagev2916
      @carnagev2916 Před 3 lety +1

      @@btuff hard to tell what side has suction when you have a clog and no flow. Can you damage if you try both holes?

    • @btuff
      @btuff  Před 3 lety +1

      Turn pump on and look. You'll see which side is sucking.

  • @TNKHART
    @TNKHART Před 2 lety

    Going to try the Hydroflush tomorrow morning. My circulations valves have no pressure except for the overflow valve. Hope it works and thanks for the video Billy!!

  • @jd8947
    @jd8947 Před rokem +1

    Do I need to remove the Jandy valve at 3:12 on the pump side before vacuuming the line?

    • @btuff
      @btuff  Před rokem

      Just the screws on top

    • @jd8947
      @jd8947 Před rokem

      @@btuff What I'm trying to get is do I need to unscrew the Jandy valve when vacuuming the at the pool side? Or just leave it seal at the pump side?

    • @btuff
      @btuff  Před rokem +1

      @@jd8947 it shouldn't matter but you could. Or just open the lid to remove the negative
      vacuum

  • @manuelrodriguez-fv7um
    @manuelrodriguez-fv7um Před 3 lety

    Does anyone know the name of the part he's talking about at 3:24?

  • @heatherd6624
    @heatherd6624 Před 3 lety

    whats at the other end of the line? Is that permanently attached to your pool??

    • @btuff
      @btuff  Před 3 lety

      I'm not sure why there is two lines. I only know one sucks in.

  • @hugoflores2328
    @hugoflores2328 Před rokem

    Co2 tank and a hydro flush

  • @riddlegunnermanuel6503
    @riddlegunnermanuel6503 Před 3 lety +9

    Sorry but adding chlorine tablets to a skimmer is a no no

    • @joshwoods6911
      @joshwoods6911 Před 3 lety +1

      Why?

    • @riddlegunnermanuel6503
      @riddlegunnermanuel6503 Před 3 lety

      @@joshwoods6911Dont seem to be fitted as standard

    • @Wargasmo
      @Wargasmo Před 2 lety

      @@riddlegunnermanuel6503 oh, haha. I just saw that and thought "oh cool, I can just put the tablets in the skimmer?"
      Is it bad because it's so concentrated near where swimmers are?

    • @LifeofBrinc
      @LifeofBrinc Před rokem

      Yes @ josh woods why is it a no no?

    • @danharrison3794
      @danharrison3794 Před 3 měsíci +1

      Putting tabs in the skimmer creates a super concentrated area of corrosive water directly into your pump. It will eat your baskets, plumbing, seals, and impeller.

  • @jiujitsu7239
    @jiujitsu7239 Před 4 lety +4

    Shouldn’t have those tabs in the skimmer

    • @kelseycameron6419
      @kelseycameron6419 Před 4 lety

      Having chlorine tabs in the skimmer is actually a really great way to chlorinate the pool.

    • @marcot9317
      @marcot9317 Před 3 lety +1

      Those tabs in the skimmer will eventually weaken the pvc piping and turn them brittle. Next thin you know you have a collapsed line or broken pipe. Those tabs arestill dissolving even when your pump is turned off and turns all the water in your skimmer and suction line corrosive.

  • @ronyd1416
    @ronyd1416 Před 3 lety

    Tropical storm here in Florida brought a lot of rain and wind which caused a bunch of leaves and debris to get into the pool. The leaves and debris clogged my vacuum line. Is there any way to prevent if I know there’s a big storm on the way?

    • @btuff
      @btuff  Před 3 lety

      Turn pump off.

  • @mpbeautyboss
    @mpbeautyboss Před rokem

    I accidentally sectioned a bag of pennies into the skimmer line. Do you think these tricks would work?

  • @the.trollgubbe2642
    @the.trollgubbe2642 Před 7 měsíci

    Keeping chlorine tabs in skimmer, they say is bad for pool pump, no ?

    • @danharrison3794
      @danharrison3794 Před 3 měsíci

      Yes it is bad, don’t do it. Just get a floater

  • @meyhemmolly
    @meyhemmolly Před 3 lety

    Ooohhh...shop vac!

  • @tolkienpop
    @tolkienpop Před 5 lety +1

    Does the pump need to be turned off?

  • @btuff
    @btuff  Před 2 lety

    Here's the shop vac we used in the video: amzn.to/3cmzRqS

  • @docfaceful
    @docfaceful Před 3 lety

    I might actually have a small branch that still has pine needles in intake hose.i'll disconect line and see if i can shove garden hose thru..zodiac barracuda stops water flow entirely. Big pump is above pool water level but for years thats never been problem

  • @caprice6825
    @caprice6825 Před 3 lety

    What do each of the two lines in the skimmer go to? This worked last year but this year it's not working. Too much debris or something

    • @btuff
      @btuff  Před 3 lety

      It’s easy to figure out. Which ever side is sucking things in is going to pump. That’s the line you want to hook to

  • @tafi5755
    @tafi5755 Před 2 lety

    I could have sworn there was a video of you doing the skimmer method… an I wrong??

  • @keepingup2952
    @keepingup2952 Před 5 lety +1

    I still can't figure out how that vac sucked up all that water with the outlet drain plug completely missing. Are Craftsman wet/dry vacs totally awesome, or what?

    • @btuff
      @btuff  Před 5 lety +1

      It didn't suck up until the drain was clear. With no resistance of a clean drain the water made it's way to the top.

    • @Knights_of_the_Nine
      @Knights_of_the_Nine Před 3 lety

      @@btuff
      Aaaah that makes sense.

  • @richardtaylor5948
    @richardtaylor5948 Před 2 lety

    Legit

  • @toejam1162steelers1
    @toejam1162steelers1 Před 4 lety

    The tool that you use to pressurize is called a bladder. We call it a bull dick.

  • @veronicashinn2686
    @veronicashinn2686 Před 3 lety

    Poor treatments descriptions

  • @veronicashinn2686
    @veronicashinn2686 Před 3 lety

    No help

  • @jeffmccreless3350
    @jeffmccreless3350 Před 2 lety

    You didn't say or show where to put the other end of hose or how to attach it, only the hose end to the vac. Guess I'll figure it out but if you're gonna post a video, don't leave out the most important part.

    • @btuff
      @btuff  Před 2 lety

      What’s to figure out? Put pool vacuum line into your wet/dry vacuum line and turn on.

    • @gayeclaggett2444
      @gayeclaggett2444 Před 2 lety

      @@btuff Where was the the other end of the hose going? Did you detach it from the Barracuda?

    • @btuff
      @btuff  Před 2 lety

      @@gayeclaggett2444 yes, one side goes into the vacuume, one side goes into the suction line.

    • @gayeclaggett2444
      @gayeclaggett2444 Před 2 lety

      @@btuff OK, my pool is really old and doesn't have one. I will try something else. Thank you!

    • @btuff
      @btuff  Před 2 lety

      @@gayeclaggett2444 how does it filter water? what ever sucks the water into the pool filter, use that

  • @benjihartman.official
    @benjihartman.official Před 4 lety

    Will you marry me