Pool/spa help needed.

[Stranger]

I need some help from a swimming pool/spa expert. I have a gunite pool/spa and the last couple of weeks, after the filter runs and shuts off around midnight; the spa drains down an alarming amount, below the jets!



Last weekend I cleaned the filter cartridges and filter bucket, lubed the filter bucket o-ring, it had been leaking, now when the pump turns on, instant pressure, no air in the filter tank. However, when moving the spa inlet valve to where it puts an acceptable percentage into the spa (overflow edge into the pool) and the cleaner is working well, one of the valves is noisy. When the valve is noisy the pressure is about 30 lbs. To make the valve quiet, I need to move it to around 25 lbs. When the valve is quiet, the cleaner doesn't work well at all and the spa takes too much water. And, obviously, leaks down. I know I'm not losing water, (underground leak), as the pool level is higher when the spa level is lower.



Any ideas?

 

[illflem]

The water has to be going somewhere. Either it's leaking or when you changed the filters water was displaced with air that worked it way out and lowered the level.

 

[Stranger]

Level

Maybe I didn't explain correctly. The spa is higher than the pool, so the water level of the pool is higher than the pool. When it leaks down, the water levels equalize.

 

[illflem]

Ok now I get it. Sounds like a check valve (one way) is leaking. All it takes is a twig stuck in one to cause it to leak back. Sometimes the gate won't swing freely or the seals get damaged. I'd imagine the check valve is located where you can get at it on the suction line in-between the pump and pool.

 

[Stranger]

Check valve

Thanks. That's what I was looking for. I know of one valve with a flapper in it. It's in the pressure side going to the spa, though.

 

[illflem]

Yep, the one with the flapper. I guess since you know it has a flapper it's easy to get at and remove. You may or may not be able to see what's wrong with it but a new one won't run much money. Some have a spring to close when the pressure differences from one side of the flapper to the other are small. The spring may have gotten weak. Make sure if you get a new one it has a spring, some check valves don't, depends on the application.

 

[Bob Wagner]

very nice advice Bill, Thanks

 

[Champane Flight]

My spa

My spa developed a simular mysterious leak once. It seemed to only happen on a full moon. Found out it was a check valve connected to the air jets. The reason for it leaking on full moons is the kid with his girlfriend would get in and kick all the jets on at the same time on full moons! HHHMMMMMM.

 

[Stranger]

Thanks.

illflem: Checked the check valve. Seal's cracked. Bad news is, cant buy replacement parts. Gotta buy the entire valve then take the good flapper and swap it in.



CF: No kids, but thanks for the idea .

 

[illflem]

Unless it's difficult I'd just replace the entire valve.

Parting it out might not guarantee that it doesn't leak.

 

[Stranger]

Well...

When it was installed, they glued everything! I dont want to have to splice and have multiple joints etc...

 

[illflem]

I don't blame you. Had a feeling that was probably the case. I'll bet there isn't much room to work either, most of the time the plumbing is done before concrete is poured.