In floor pool jets late 70’s early 80’s pool

[Kyle44]

This is a new to me pool. It has 3 pvc ports in the floor of the pool and not sure if they are self cleaning but, missing the pop up jets, designed this way, or broken.

What am I looking at?

 

[PoolStored]

@proavia is likely your guy....

 

[ajw22]

Welcome to TFP.

Do you have a water distribution valve that looks like a big mushroom or small UFO?

In Floor Cleaning Systems - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

I think you have in floor returns that were claimed to improve heat distribution.

 

[Kyle44]

Welcome to TFP.

Do you have a water distribution valve that looks like a big mushroom or small UFO?

In Floor Cleaning Systems - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

I think you have in floor returns that we’re claimed to improve heat distribution.

Nothing like the self cleaning distributions that I’ve been seeing from googling things. Picture attached of the pump however there are pvc vents and locations all over the yard.

 

[ajw22]

PVC vents are often used for Venturi air bubbles in return jets. And Florida has anti-entrapment requirements that can have a PVC vent.

 

[proavia]

I agree with Allen - those appear to be floor returns.
Do you notice any water flow coming out of them when the pump is on?

 

[Kyle44]

I agree with Allen - those appear to be floor returns.
Do you notice any water flow coming out of them when the pump is on?

Water flows out of the middle and the one in the deepest part of the pool. Nothing out of the one send in the first photos.

 

[proavia]

They appear to be deep water returns - meant to help circulate water from the deeper parts of the pool.
You can try adjusting the valves on the return side to see if you can turn them on/off. But use caution with those cheap ball valves - they tend to stick and the handles snap off. It would be better to replace all of them (suction and return side) with 2-way and/or 3-way quality diverter valves. It would also be good to determine where each pipe coming out of the ground is routed to in the pool.

 

[Kyle44]

They appear to be deep water returns - meant to help circulate water from the deeper parts of the pool.
You can try adjusting the valves on the return side to see if you can turn them on/off. But use caution with those cheap ball valves - they tend to stick and the handles snap off. It would be better to replace all of them (suction and return side) with 2-way and/or 3-way quality diverter valves. It would also be good to determine where each pipe coming out of the ground is routed to in the pool.

There are a couple handles broken off already so they are on the todo list to replace.

Getting back out there this morning there are threads on the lower 2 and looks like a cover or something broken. I am not sure if that changes anything.

 

[proavia]

There are a couple handles broken off already so they are on the todo list to replace.

Getting back out there this morning there are threads on the lower 2 and looks like a cover or something broken. I am not sure if that changes anything.

Are those threads down about as far as the brownish tan things in the first images you posted?
Is the hole in the last two images wide open or is there something similar to what is in the first images?

 

[Kyle44]

Are those threads down about as far as the brownish tan things in the first images you posted?
Is the hole in the last two images wide open or is there something similar to what is in the first images?

Something similar to the first one. The ones with water coming out do pulse. It’s not a consistent flow

 

[proavia]

The brownish tan inserts appear to be removable jets of some type. It looks like an allen wrench will fit in the center to allow removal/installation of the jet.

Chances are the jets will not be easy to remove given that dirt/debris will fall into the pipe and get caught in the threads when those returns are off.

It would be beneficial to determine where each pipe at the pad goes. Not a fan of concrete around the pipes.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Kyle.

Your return plumbing is very odd indeed...

You have two sets of parallel pipes.. Both sets of parallel pipes are connected at the top and bottom.. This means shutting off just one of the two red ball valves will do almost nothing... I just don't see the point at all..

I see one red ball valves is closed... What happens when you open or close that valve??

Odd indeed...

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Kyle44]

The brownish tan inserts appear to be removable jets of some type. It looks like an allen wrench will fit in the center to allow removal/installation of the jet.

Chances are the jets will not be easy to remove given that dirt/debris will fall into the pipe and get caught in the threads when those returns are off.

It would be beneficial to determine where each pipe at the pad goes. Not a fan of concrete around the pipes.

More googling has lead me to waterway nozzles. In the first picture the jet is hexagon shaped and looks like a larger hexagon at the bottom for removal. Some waterway nozzles are adjust able to open and close with the right tool which could be why there is a lack of flow in the shallow end. Let me know your thoughts on that but I think this is the closet thing that I have found so far and still early on in research on how they work.

 

[Kyle44]

Kyle.

Your return plumbing is very odd indeed...

You have two sets of parallel pipes.. Both sets of parallel pipes are connected at the top and bottom.. This means shutting off just one of the two red ball valves will do almost nothing... I just don't see the point at all..

I see one red ball valves is closed... What happens when you open or close that valve??

Odd indeed...

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[proavia]

More googling has lead me to waterway nozzles. In the first picture the jet is hexagon shaped and looks like a larger hexagon at the bottom for removal. Some waterway nozzles are adjust able to open and close with the right tool which could be why there is a lack of flow in the shallow end. Let me know your thoughts on that but I think this is the closet thing that I have found so far and still early on in research on how they work.

Basically - a smaller hole will cause the water to shoot out farther. Think of a garden hose running full strength - when you put your thumb partially over the open end the water will shoot out farther.

I don't think you should spend much time on the jets until you fully figure out the plumbing situation.

 

[Kyle44]

Basically - a smaller hole will cause the water to shoot out farther. Think of a garden hose running full strength - when you put your thumb partially over the open end the water will shoot out farther.

I don't think you should spend much time on the jets until you fully figure out the plumbing situation.

It took me a little bit to draw up some pictures.
Purple- Return for the 3 floor jets and 2 jets on the shallow end walls
Red- Return for 1 jet in the shallow end, 1 jet in the deep end, and the seat with 3 bubblers
Orange- Main drain, skimmer, pool vacuum connection.
The small return valve goes to a pvc pipe outside of the pool and I have been using that to drain out extra water from rain fall