Water draining from spa every day

[bksbeat]

About 6 months ago, I had an issue with my spa where, erratically, water was draining from my spa after the pump ended. I have a spa where the water flows into the pool. I hired a pool tech who installed a new check valve and had no problem for over 6 months.
Then about 3 weeks ago, the water started draining from my spa (of course this only would appear once the pump has stopped and would take a few hours to level off) . It has been happening every day and the water level in the spa seems to stop consistently just about the spa jets.
Today I called the same pool tech, thinking it may be a faulty check valve. Under his instruction, I ran a test by running the pump to fill up the spa , kept the pump running but also shutting off water flow through the check valve by using the 3-port valve above the check valve. So pump was then running with no water coming thru the jets in the spa but the jets in the pool working. Well, the spa water level has been going down, slowly, but going down. Now, a few hours later and pump still running, it seems to be going down to the same level as before (just above the jets).
Logic would tell me it cannot be related to the jets as it has been levelling off above the jets, I really dont see structural issues with the spa. The only thing it could be but I dont know much about is the drain on the bottom of the spa, but then I am confused why it would stop consistenly above the jets? Am I missing something as I somewhat stumped here?
Thanks, Gary

 

[Texas Splash]

Others may have more thoughts, but everything you describe sounds like the spa water level continues to level-off with the pool. Is that about right? Interesting that the check valve repair 6-mos ago seemed to resolve the issue, but now it's happening again. Weird coincidence. Perhaps one of your actuator valves that should isolate the spa from the pool is not sealing completely? Maybe post some pics of your equipment pad and spa so we can put eyes on everything there. It might help with replies.

 

[bksbeat]

Others may have more thoughts, but everything you describe sounds like the spa water level continues to level-off with the pool. Is that about right? Interesting that the check valve repair 6-mos ago seemed to resolve the issue, but now it's happening again. Weird coincidence. Perhaps one of your actuator valves that should isolate the spa from the pool is not sealing completely? Maybe post some pics of your equipment pad and spa so we can put eyes on everything there. It might help with replies.

Thanks. Yes, I would say that the spa level is leveling off with the pool? Here are some pics of my setup. If you looking for something else or more detailed, plse let me know.

 

[Texas Splash]

So no automation. Just 3-way valves and what appears to be a barrel-type, vertically installed check valve right? So "if" we assume the 6-mos old check valve is good, I would be suspicious of the 3-way valve. You might open that up and check its seals. If they look okay, perhaps add some lube to see if that helps seal the "gate" portion of the valve. See if that makes a difference. Also look the entire system over really well of a potential air leak letting air "IN" to the system. That might also be contributing to the water movement.

 

[bksbeat]

So no automation. Just 3-way valves and what appears to be a barrel-type, vertically installed check valve right? So "if" we assume the 6-mos old check valve is good, I would be suspicious of the 3-way valve. You might open that up and check its seals. If they look okay, perhaps add some lube to see if that helps seal the "gate" portion of the valve. See if that makes a difference. Also look the entire system over really well of a potential air leak letting air "IN" to the system. That might also be contributing to the water movement.

Yes, this is the check valve he installed last time, he also installed those grey unions above and below the check valve.

Re. 2nd pic I sent you, so this is what I would need to open up?
Thks

 

[bksbeat]

Yes, this is the check valve he installed last time, he also installed those grey unions above and below the check valve.

Re. 2nd pic I sent you, so this is what I would need to open up?
Thks

Let me ask you a question plse. If, when I ran that test last night with the pump running and the spa water flow turned off (no water flowing thru the jets into the spa) and the spa water level still going down while the pump is running, could that still be from a bad check valve? Thks

 

[Texas Splash]

Correct. I would remove the top of that 3-way valve and inspect it closely. It looks like it's seen its better days, so that could be part of the problem. That particular check valve looks a bit beat-up as well for just 6-mos old, but I'm willing to bet one of those is allowing water to flow backwards.

 

[Texas Splash]

Let me ask you a question plse. If, when I ran that test last night with the pump running and the spa water flow turned off (no water flowing thru the jets into the spa) and the spa water level still going down while the pump is running, could that still be from a bad check valve? Thks

Oooh, I see what you mean. If the spa level is still falling while the system is running and the spa closed off as well, then you might have another issue. I'd first investigate the plumbing (jets & drain). I would plug the return jets and watch for water level drop. If it still drops, I would leave the system off, close the suction valve for the drain back at the pad, and try food dye test at the spa drain.

 

[Texas Splash]

If you have plugs of various sizes, along with the jets you could also just remove the drain cover and plug it temporarily and monitor the water level.

 

[bksbeat]

Thks. As I had mentioned earlier, water level in spa is leveling off above the jets so I am only left with the spa drain. But then why it stops draining at the same level each time is a little weird, but as you said it seems to be leveling off with the pool level. I think on Sunday when I have some time I will still open up that 3 way valve (not sure if that has ever been opened) and lube it. I will then empty out 99% of the water in the spa and do that food dye test. I'm not sure I understand what the spa drain is suppose to do - is water suppose to go out there? If the dye is disappearing out of the spa drain, what does that mean?
Thks
Gary

 

[bksbeat]

If you have plugs of various sizes, along with the jets you could also just remove the drain cover and plug it temporarily and monitor the water level.

Good idea. I will see if I have something I can use. The drain cover is pretty old and I don't think we have ever taken it off so perhaps there is crack or something. So I guess what you saying here is no water should be going out if it? I will take a pic of it but I thought it had holes on the side of it

 

[bksbeat]

Good idea. I will see if I have something I can use. The drain cover is pretty old and I don't think we have ever taken it off so perhaps there is crack or something. So I guess what you saying here is no water should be going out if it? I will take a pic of it but I thought it had holes on the side of it

 

[Texas Splash]

Correct - checking the drain just to ensure no water is leaving the spa from that drain when you have spa suction closed. Food dye is a non-invasive test to see if the dye gets sucked "down & in" to the drain when it really shouldn't. But a failproof way to isolate the drain from the equation would be to just plug it with a winterizing plug if you have one. But then being in FL, you probably don't do a lot of winterizing. Bwaaahaaa.

 

[bksbeat]

Correct - checking the drain just to ensure no water is leaving the spa from that drain when you have spa suction closed. Food dye is a non-invasive test to see if the dye gets sucked "down & in" to the drain when it really shouldn't. But a failproof way to isolate the drain from the equation would be to just plug it with a winterizing plug if you have one. But then being in FL, you probably don't do a lot of winterizing. Bwaaahaaa.

Okay thanks. Yes, not much winterizing going on here. I will do this all on Sunday. Of course, now I am thinking how did I have no problem for 6 months and this started up again a few weeks ago? Hence, probably makes sense to try and eliminate as many possibilities as I can here and hope for the best. Some folks said I should not worry about it as the spa will fill up when the pump runs each day, but it is upsetting staring at a 90% empty spa the majority of the day?
Thanks

 

[Texas Splash]

I'm curious as well to see what you discover. Let us know how it goes. Have a good weekend.

 

[bksbeat]

Okay thanks. Yes, not much winterizing going on here. I will do this all on Sunday. Of course, now I am thinking how did I have no problem for 6 months and this started up again a few weeks ago? Hence, probably makes sense to try and eliminate as many possibilities as I can here and hope for the best. Some folks said I should not worry about it as the spa will fill up when the pump runs each day, but it is upsetting staring at a 90% empty spa the majority of the day?
Thanks

Another quick question - If food dye does disappear thru the spa drain cover, would that just entail getting a new drain cover? Thks

 

[Texas Splash]

Oh, and your last port reminded me of one more thing to say. If your spa is losing about 90% of water, then filling back up when turned on, your pool water level would go down at some point if there was a true leak underground. If the pool water level is constant, then the spa water is simply shifting back & forth, hence the valves. Good luck!

 

[Texas Splash]

If food dye does disappear thru the spa drain cover, would that just entail getting a new drain cover?

Your spa drain has plumbing under the cover that goes back to the 3-way valve at the pad before the pump. So if you have the valve closed back at the pad, and it seals properly, you should not see dye get sucked into the drain. If it does, then the drain line may have a leak.

 

[bksbeat]

Oh, and your last port reminded me of one more thing to say. If your spa is losing about 90% of water, then filling back up when turned on, your pool water level would go down at some point if there was a true leak underground. If the pool water level is constant, then the spa water is simply shifting back & forth, hence the valves. Good luck!

But if I am filling up the spa when I turn the pump on, is not that water coming from the pool and visa versa?
I have not had any issues with the pool water level.

 

[Texas Splash]

But if I am filling up the spa when I turn the pump on, is not that water coming from the pool and visa versa?

Exactly! I just wanted to highlight that fact during your weekend exploration. While we have discussed a potential leak (dye test and plugging the drain, etc), I am more suspicious about the valves allowing water to go back & forth as opposed to a true leak because if you have a leak in your spa your pool water level should be going down. But just wanted you to have those tools just in case you need them. My gut tells me it's the valves.