Spa draining overnight; spa return line check valve replaced

[ck2]

For the past month my spa has been draining around 12 inches (the amount varies) overnight.

I've replaced the check valve (picture below) in the spa return line.

Does anyone have any ideas on what to check next?

 

[mknauss]

Shut the two way valve for the Spa Falls (I think that is what it says) and see if the spa stays full.

 

[ck2]

I'll try that, thank you for the quick response!

 

[mknauss]

Your welcome -- and welcome to the forum!

 

[ck2]

@mknauss I closed the two way spa falls valve, and the water level in the spa still drained 9 inches overnight. Do you have any other advice? Thanks.

 

[mknauss]

Next place to look is the suction. Be sure the valve for spa suction is closed.

After that , it means one of the valves is not sealed when closed. How old are the valves?

 

[Jimrahbe]

ck2,

I agree with Marty.

If a spa drains down to just below the jets, it is normally the check valve in the spa return line.

If a spa drains down well below the jets, it is normally a leaking Intake valve.

That said, there is often nothing normal or standard in pool plumbing.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[ck2]

@mknauss I recently replaced the diverter valve on the suction line, so it's brand new. Is it possible that I installed it incorrectly?

@Jimrahbe the spa is draining about 9 inches overnight, and the water level is above the jets, but a good portion of plaster in the spa is dry. I've replaced the check valve on the spa return line, and the diverter valve on the suction line.

 

[Jimrahbe]

ck,

The water will only drain down to the level of the pool water. Not sure if that is happening or not. You may need to wait longer to see where it stops.

Water can leak out the spa light conduit. Where is that in relation to where the water stops?

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[ck2]

@Jimrahbe thanks for your replies!

The spa isn't draining down to the level of the pool, it's still well above the pool, and well above the light conduit.

The pool also appears to be losing water overnight, as I'm needing to refill it every day, which is unusual. I'd think that if the spa were draining into the pool, this wouldn't be happening. I'm a bit mystified as to what's going on right now.

I can turn off all of the equipment and wait longer to determine where the spa water level stops.

 

[Jimrahbe]

ck,

If this were my pool, I'd want to know where the water stops dropping.

Post some pics of your equipment pad so that we can see your Intake and Return valves.

What kind of filter do you have?

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[ck2]

@Jimrahbe thanks again for your help. I'm attaching pictures of the spa water level, as well as of the intake and return valves. I have a Hayward DE filter.

All of the equipment has been off for 2 1/2 days now, and the water level is continuing to drop near the pool level. I'll continue to monitor it.

 

[Jimrahbe]

ck2,

Seems to me that the water is well below the jets. You could plug the spa drains and whatever the pipe in the middle and see if the draining stops.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[ck2]

Makes sense, I'll attempt to do that, thanks. Do you see any reason to continue to keep the equipment off at this point?

 

[Jimrahbe]

Do you see any reason to continue to keep the equipment off at this point?

Not if you don't.. The weather is now warm enough to jump in and plug things...

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Poolbreh]

I should mention you have a spa water feature as well, that could be the culprit. It looks like a cascading telescope water feature. Basically the pipe comes out like a telescope and creates a water feature in the middle of your spa.

 

[ck2]

@Poolbreh that's correct. Is it enough to close the return valve for the spa water feature in the equipment area? Should I plug the return in the spa itself as well?

 

[Poolbreh]

I would just close the valve and do the same test over night.

 

[ck2]

@Poolbreh thank you. I closed both of the spa falls and spa water feature valves overnight, and the spa water level is still draining.

I ordered plugs for the spa water feature return line, and spa drain, that I'll plan on installing.

Do you have any ideas on what might be going on here?

 

[Poolbreh]

I thought it would be the water feature, you’ve eliminated spa bypass I doubt it’s spa return(side drain), and spa water feature. I would do what Jim said and start plugging it’s a process of elimination. If it drops to the light I would suspect conduit if it doesn’t drop with spa drain plugged I would suspect intake valve first , after that’s replaced intake line. Make sure pump doesn’t turn on while plugs are in.