Bubbles in Return

[PitaRex]

Inground pool chlorine,
Most plumbing has been replaced. Pump seal kit is new. Filter is new. New skimmer installed last year also
No water loss, pressure is fine and rises as it should but still have tons of bubbles. Most seals and o rings have been replaced. I also have a lot of bubbles in the pump basket and I do hear some gurgling noise in the skimmer suction line when the pump is running but pressure seems fine and rises like I mentioned, but still bubbles in the return. Not sure what else I can do
I have not pressure tested the lines underground but I do fear that it could be a problem.

 

[Texas Splash]

Welcome to TFP! You appear to have a pretty good suction side air leak getting it. How old are those two gate valves? Somewhere between the skimmer and pump air is getting pulled in.

Suction Side Air Leaks

If you see air bubbles coming out of the return lines in your pool, you likely have a leak. Some signs that a suction side plumbing leak has occurred include: Read more

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[frbruno64]

You appear to have a pretty good suction side air leak getting it.

There may be a leak in the suction piping between the skimmer and the pump. I had this problem. If all else fails, consider performing a pressure test, which requires plugging the skimmer port, introducing some compressed air into the line (not too much), and then closing the valve at the pump or plugging the suction line. Let it sit overnight and check the next morning to see if there was a loss of pressure. If so, get a shovel.

 

[PitaRex]

Welcome to TFP! You appear to have a pretty good suction side air leak getting it. How old are those two gate valves? Somewhere between the skimmer and pump air is getting pulled in.

Suction Side Air Leaks

If you see air bubbles coming out of the return lines in your pool, you likely have a leak. Some signs that a suction side plumbing leak has occurred include: Read more

www.troublefreepool.com

It was the gate valves I slowly backed them off and then turned them back on and found just the right blend and zero bubbles. Unbelievable.

 

[Texas Splash]

It was the gate valves

Good catch!

 

[PitaRex]

Good catch!

a few follow up questions? Now that the gate valve is halfway open skimmer side only. The other valve is open fully, does that affect pressure? My gauge is close to starting psi, skimmer had debris in it and is trapping things, but water flow in pool seems diminished, also my heater overflow line is dripping slightly. What is the proper valve to replace it with and what exactly does this mean. Is my suction line crushed or blocked somehow ?! Thanks

 

[Texas Splash]

Now that the gate valve is halfway open skimmer side only. The other valve is open fully, does that affect pressure?

If you had a restricted water flow, it could result in a lower pressure. But if you have good, clear plumbing lines, the filter pressure should be the same whether you are pulling water form the skimmer, drain, or both.

skimmer had debris in it and is trapping things, but water flow in pool seems diminished,

By this you mean the return jet water going back into the pool feels weaker? Then that points to your filter being dirty or perhaps the start of an algae bloom which clogs-up a filter very fast. If you have any doubts about that, you should do an Overnight Chlorine Loss Test to be sure.

also my heater overflow line is dripping slightly. What is the proper valve to replace it with and what exactly does this mean.

Dripping at the overflow would seem to indicate water not flowing through the heater core very well. But you also mention what valve to replace it with. Might be good to tell us more about this specific heater and part. Maybe post a pic or two if you need to.

 

[PitaRex]

If you had a restricted water flow, it could result in a lower pressure. But if you have good, clear plumbing lines, the filter pressure should be the same whether you are pulling water form the skimmer, drain, or both.


By this you mean the return jet water going back into the pool feels weaker? Then that points to your filter being dirty or perhaps the start of an algae bloom which clogs-up a filter very fast. If you have any doubts about that, you should do an Overnight Chlorine Loss Test to be sure.

Dripping at the overflow would seem to indicate water not flowing through the heater core very well. But you also mention what valve to replace it with. Might be good to tell us more about this specific heater and part. Maybe post a pic or two if you need to.

The original gate valve (the right one) is from the skimmer and has the adjustment applied,-
the heater, I noticed that yesterday very minimal dripping

 

[PitaRex]

I pretty much closed the gate valve to the point where there is zero bubbles but restricted flow so to speak and I was asking what a new valve looks like? But having the valve open fully why does that cause bubbles ? Is it the valve itself of something else

 

[mknauss]

It is likely the stem packing on the gate valves. You can try to replace it, but you best have a plan on replacing the valves before you start as you might open a can of yuck when you start pulling an old gate valve apart.

 

[Texas Splash]

But having the valve open fully why does that cause bubbles ? Is it the valve itself of something else

There's probably a tiny O-ring in that gate valve stem. Either there or something else on that valve allowing air to seep in. While not an ideal replacement, some people use ball valves for their simplicity of on or off. Others use traditional 2 or 3-way pool valves. The advantage with those is they can be rebuilt years later if the seal starts to wear.

 

[PitaRex]

Great information fellas. Now that I know where the issues are I’ll address them. ! Thank you !