Pump makes loud “gulping” noise only when kids are swimming

[Manikshaw]

Weird issue pump runs totally fine all week, but as soon as the kids jump in and splash around, the pump starts making a loud gulping noise like it’s sucking air. Once everyone gets out, it quiets down again. Is this a thing?

 

[John Faulkner]

Yes, heavy splashing can drop water level below skimmer line for a moment, pulling air in.

 

[syedsam]

Happens to me too quick fix is keeping water level an inch or two higher than normal.

 

[Nathan Parker]

I’d add one more angle to what’s already been said, sometimes it’s not just the splashing lowering the level, but how strong the pump suction is in relation to the skimmer. When people are moving around a lot, the turbulence can send small waves into the skimmer and expose the opening to air, which makes that gulping sound.

If you’ve got a main drain, you can try adjusting the valve so it pulls a bit more from the drain and less from the skimmer when the pool’s busy. It takes a little of the strain off the skimmer so it won’t gulp air as easily. Keeping the water level slightly higher, as mentioned, definitely helps too.

 

[Hanry Carter]

I get this when the kids splash around. Raise the water level 1–2 inches and throttle the skimmer a bit (favor the main drain) after that the ‘gloop’ sound stops.

 

[Isabella Morales]

I’ve had the same thing happen when the kids splash a lot. The water drops just below the skimmer line for a moment and the pump starts “gulping” air. I raised the water level a bit, and the noise stopped right away.

 

[Emily Perez]

Yep, that can happen. When the kids are splashing a lot, the water level at the skimmer can drop for a moment and the pump ends up sucking in air, which makes that gurgling sound. I usually raise the water level 1 to 2 inches, or if there’s a valve, I dial back the skimmer suction a bit when the pool’s busy.