New Pool Owner - Spa Drains & Air Bubbles!

[brewerss]

Hey everyone,

I'm a new pool owner and have been working learning to take care of it on my own. What an adventure!

I have two issues that i'm working on right now and assume they are connected to the same air-leak?

1. I get air bubbles when I run the pump. I have 2 pool returns and only one of them spits out air bubbles. When it returns to the spa, it also has air bubbles.
2. When the pump turns off, my spa will drain to right below the Jet. (Picture attached) But it only drains when the pump takes water from both the pool and spa then returns to both pool & spa. If the pump pulls from the pool only and returns to spa, then the spa level stays the same once the pump shuts off. Does that help with some of the possibilities if it drains one way but not the other?

Already I have replaced the oRing to the pump skimmer & replaced the Check valve piece. I think i hear air still escaping out of the skimmer so do I apply more silicone to get a better hold?

 

[brewerss]

Here is the settings when the spa holds its water. Pulls from pool and returns to spa. This is the way the previous owner was told by his pool service to keep it for it ti function properly. But that doesn't solve the issue! My logic is that's a bad way to run it because the pool gets no circulation except from the spa overflow.

 

[mguzzy]

I'll take a stab:
#1 first thing to check is that all your gaskets are lubed and sealing well. Even on those Jandy valves. Unscrew them and make sure they are seating well together.
#2 sounds like the water in the spa is seeking the water level with the pool. Is the Spa raised? A check valve would fix that.

 

[brewerss]

I'll take a stab:
#1 first thing to check is that all your gaskets are lubed and sealing well. Even on those Jandy valves. Unscrew them and make sure they are seating well together.
#2 sounds like the water in the spa is seeking the water level with the pool. Is the Spa raised? A check valve would fix that.

Yes The Spa is raised. I replaced the check valve two weeks ago after seeing that suggested on another thread.
I didn’t think about the Jandy valves! That will be my next project.

 

[Dirk]

I had a spiffy answer all typed up, when I realized I'm already talking to you in another thread. I thought in this one that the pool was new, not the owner! It's OK and sometimes preferred to keep your questions all together, so posters helping you get the full picture, without you having to repost pictures and re-explain, even if the question doesn't quite fit the forum topic. I'll have a Mod take a look and if he agrees he'll merge your threads.

Back to your regularly scheduled programming...

 

[mguzzy]

We can request to have the mods move it for you.. they are always trolling around looking for something to do... @kimkats

 

[Jimrahbe]

Spencer,

In theory there are three modes of operation when you have a Pool with a Spa..

1. Pool mode... The Intake valve is set to suck water from only the pool, into the pump and then through the filter / heater and back to the Return Valve set to return all the water to the Pool.
2. Spa mode... The Intake valve is set to suck water from only the Spa, into the pump and then through the filter / heater and back to the Return Valve set to return all the water to the Spa.
3. Spillover mode.. The Intake valve is set to suck water from only the pool, into the pump and then through the filter / heater and back to the Return Valve set to return some of the water to the Pool and some to the Spa.. Usually about 80% to the pool and 20% to the spa.. Since the spa drain is closed the excess water in the spa will spillover into the pool.

Using the spillover mode will keep both your pool and spa chlorinated with fresh water.

The reason your spa drains down is because of how you have your Intake and Return valves set.. You may also have a check valve issue, but you need to fix your valve positions first.

Put your pool in the Pool Mode and fill up the spa if you need to.. Shut off the pump and tell us what happens.

Edit... I see no reason to move this post as it is about a totally different issue than the OP's other thread.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[brewerss]

Spencer,

In theory there are three modes of operation when you have a Pool with a Spa..

1. Pool mode... The Intake valve is set to suck water from only the pool, into the pump and then through the filter / heater and back to the Return Valve set to return all the water to the Pool.
2. Spa mode... The Intake valve is set to suck water from only the Spa, into the pump and then through the filter / heater and back to the Return Valve set to return all the water to the Spa.
3. Spillover mode.. The Intake valve is set to suck water from only the pool, into the pump and then through the filter / heater and back to the Return Valve set to return some of the water to the Pool and some to the Spa.. Usually about 80% to the pool and 20% to the spa.. Since the spa drain is closed the excess water in the spa will spillover into the pool.

Using the spillover mode will keep both your pool and spa chlorinated with fresh water.

The reason your spa drains down is because of how you have your Intake and Return valves set.. You may also have a check valve issue, but you need to fix your valve positions first.

Put your pool in the Pool Mode and fill up the spa if you need to.. Shut off the pump and tell us what happens.

Edit... I see no reason to move this post as it is about a totally different issue than the OP's other thread.

Thanks,

Jim R.

Thanks for the advice! I’ll adjust those valves to spillover mode.

Yea I chose to keep this post separate because the first one was an “introduction” post and this was a problem specifically with the equipment. Figured that it would be good to post in the relevant place but what do I know! I’m new here! Haha

 

[brewerss]

I had a spiffy answer all typed up, when I realized I'm already talking to you in another thread. I thought in this one that the pool was new, not the owner! It's OK and sometimes preferred to keep your questions all together, so posters helping you get the full picture, without you having to repost picture and re-explain, even if the question doesn't quite fit the forum topic. I'll have a Mod take a look and if he agrees he'll merge your threads.

Back to your regularly scheduled programming...

Haha sorry for the confusion! I posted it here because I thought separating it into the equipment section would be easier. That way those on my introduction post arnt blown up with unwanted notifications

 

[Dirk]

but what do I know!

Not any more or less about it than I do!

 

[brewerss]

Sorry for taking so long on the update! When the pump is set to Pool Mode or Spa Mode, the spa holds water. If I set it to Spillover then the spa drains slowly drains after the pump turns off. Is this just the way it will be? I prefer keeping it on spillover, but going to adjust the valves every night before the pump turns off a pain to do.

As for the bubbles, i have a continual stream of bubbles into the pool and spa when its in spillover. No bubbles in Pool or Spa Mode.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Spencer,

I suspect that you replaced the black check valve.. If so that check valve has nothing to do with your spa draining.. You need to replace/repair the white check valve, just to the right of where your pipe is labeled "Spa"..

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[brewerss]

Spencer,

I suspect that you replaced the black check valve.. If so that check valve has nothing to do with your spa draining.. You need to replace/repair the white check valve, just to the right of where your pipe is labeled "Spa"..

Thanks,

Jim R.

Is the white check valve the piece that looks like a cap?

 

[Jimrahbe]

Spencer,

Yep.. notice the arrow on it..

I believe that they are called Ortega check valves.. Old as dirt...

Thanks,

Jim R.