Leak? Spa blower is sucking instead of blowing

[akanska2]

Hi everyone- we finished construction on our pool about 8 months ago although we are technically not “done” with our builder. Final inspection has yet to happen and we have not made the final payment.

Over these months we have noted that there may be a very slow leak somewhere in the system. But with the 110 days we assumed it was evaporation. Now as we’ve moved into cool weather and have had the pool closed (built in cover), we are questioning if it really is a leak since we are still losing about an inch -2 a week even while fully covered.

We have also noticed that of the 4 water ports in the spa (built into the pool), only 2 have pressure and 1 actually has suction when turned on.

Is there anything we can do other than the bucket test to verify a leak before making a fuss to the builder? Does the spa issue indicate a leak in any way?

Thank you!

 

[HermanTX]

For clarification, when in is spa mode, which means suction from the spa and return to the spa, 2 of the 4 jets have flow and the other 2 are sucking water?
Maybe show a picture of the equipment pad and some shots of the suction side to the pump and the return side going to pool/spa.
A bucket test for a leak is ideal to rule out any evaporation.
If you think there is a crack in the skimmer or elsewhere, you can squirt dye to see it move towards a hole.

Also, with cover closed over the pool, are you still circulating water via Pool Mode for x hours a day?

 

[akanska2]

Yes- when in spa mode, 2 of the four jets blow water with decent pressure, one has no noticeable pressure and on has suction if you place a hand over it.

We will try another bucket test but previous ones have always been inconclusive with only a slight variance.

We do run the 8 hour a day pool cycle.

Thank you for the idea about using some dye in the skimmer. We will try that too.

 

[JamesW]

Yes- when in spa mode, 2 of the four jets blow water with decent pressure, one has no noticeable pressure and on has suction if you place a hand over it.

The suction is from the venturi effect and it probably is not related to any type of leak.

Maybe the plumbing is wrong or clogged in a way that the air line works but the water line does not work.

Maybe the jet nozzles are incorrect.

Maybe remove the jet nozzles to see if any debris comes out.

Are there any air intakes at the spa?

Do you have a blower for the spa?

 

[HermanTX]

Yes- when in spa mode, 2 of the four jets blow water with decent pressure, one has no noticeable pressure and on has suction if you place a hand over it.

Do you have a blower connected to your spa? I have found, at times, that 1 jet may be weaker because it is the last jet in the circle (or square). I turn on my blower for 5 minutes and then shut it off and the jets work great.

 

[Mayorb]

I've run across this.
Not saying this is happening in your case, but a clogged jet can result in the spa inlet drawing water into the wall fitting.
The jet is about 2 feet upstream behind the eyeball fitting on the spa wall. They can be removed from inside the spa, and cleaned. There are a few types, some require a specialty tool to remove them. Ask your builder.
Also, see if they can redo a pressure test on the plumbing.
The water loss issue may, or may not be related to the spa.