Barnes Hair Trap 1 1/2″ with Coupling

The hair trap installs in the suction line ahead of the pump and catches hair, leaves, insects and whatever the skimmer missed. It is a cheap part whose only job is to prevent an expensive repair.

What it is protecting

Hair is the particular enemy of a pool pump. It wraps around the shaft behind the impeller, builds up in the mechanical seal and eventually makes it leak. A damaged mechanical seal means stripping the pump, and often water reaching the motor. Leaves and insects block the impeller eye and make the pump cavitate — run dry in bursts, with the cumulative damage that brings.

All of it is stopped by a plastic basket you lift out by hand.

In practice

It must always be installed before the pump, never after: after the pump the damage has already happened. Check it as often as you check the skimmer; a full trap starves the suction and makes the pump work against vacuum, which is worse than not fitting one at all.

Supplied with a coupling, so it drops straight into a 1 1/2″ line without extra adapters.