New Pool - Spa (& Pool) Losing Water

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n4,

Does your check valve look like this??? https://www.amazon.com/Pentair-2630...ocphy=9027205&hvtargid=pla-306977461335&psc=1

By putting the check valve in "sideways" it should not interfere with any flow, so I can only assume that the line is plugged up with ???

I do not have a spa or a check valve, but it appears to me that the check valve is missing a rubber seal.. I could be full of bull feathers so let's get some expert help..

Calling @JamesW and @jimmythegreek Does this check valve look ok to you???

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
Jim,

Thats the one yes sir. That was also my thought as well...by putting it in sideways the gate was up against the side of the pipe and therefore the top and bottom would be wide open for flow. I am wondering myself if that line is potentially clogged as well. When I pulled the check valve I can confirm that it was in the right way based on the direction the gate would open when water pressure was present.

As far as the seal goes, it might be a little tough to see in that photo but I can say that the rubber seal is clear so it may be a little difficult to see. But regardless, I am thinking by pulling that valve out of the equation I at a very minimum have an issue with just getting water to flow freely in that pipe, or so it appears.
 
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jimmythegreek said:
What does that feed? I didn't read backwards from pics
Click to expand...


Jim,

The check valve feeds the spa, so that it overflows into the pool.. The OP does not know exactly where the water flowing through check valve enters the spa.. :scratch:

My theory (Ok it is a guess) is that an older check valve actually broke and part of it is now in the pipe to the spa.. I say that because it would be impossible for anything big to get into that part of the plumbing..

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
Seems like the spa makeup line must be clogged/blocked. What happens to your filter/pump pressure when you turn the valve all the way to the spa make up only?

You mentioned they may have used the third port in the channel drain as the return. When the plaster crew installed the drains, did they take all 3 of the plugs out? Perhaps the plug for the return is still in place and they removed only the other 2?
 
n4,

I would drain the spa completely.. And then try to find where the make-up water comes in.. Certainly remove the drain cover and inspect, like Rob says above..

Turning on the make-up valve to the spa should have some water showing up somewhere in the spa...

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
@Robtown you know what that is a very good point indeed...my plumber is suppose to be coming out this afternoon to take a look, but now that you mention it, I wonder if there is still a plug on that 3rd port. We have the drain with the finish over top so I would need to remove the screws and the top plate to see if there is still a plug in that 3rd port. I'd like to confirm with the plumber first that he indeed did connect that spa makeup to that line just to ensure before removing, but that could absolutely be the explanation as to why water isn't moving in that line. Being that this is a brand new pool build, I would be very surprised if we had something that large blocking the pipe not allowing anything to flow.

@Jimrahbe Once the plumber arrives, I will confirm if we did plumb how he mentioned and if he can confirm, this may be a stupid question but wondering is there any way to remove that top plate and remove that plug without draining? I know it will be more challenging, but just trying to save myself from having to refill for the 3rd or 4th time. I can always drain to the pool but at some point I'm sure it will hit my overflow as I'm already middle of skimmers now.
 
n4,

I like your idea of waiting for the plumber... As far as draining the spa goes... My pool is about 50 degrees now and standing or sitting in it is just not happening for me...

If only a little water is getting into the spa, then it will be hard to notice with the spa full. Draining would just make it much easier to work on... It can't cost much to drain and fill a spa.

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
Well TFP has definitely come through on this one! Much appreciated on the inputs and thoughts as to what could be going on. I ended up actually calling the plumber ahead of him heading over to ask/confirm that he did use the 3rd port on the drain. He confirmed, and @Robtown ended up hitting the nail on the head: sure enough the 3rd port still had it's plug in. I was able to tape off my overflow (plumber recommendation/trick) to save the spa water and just drain it over to the pool. Once I did, grabbed my tamper proof star bit and removed the top plate of the drain to find the 3rd plug still in place. As soon as I removed water came through and after heading back to the equipment pad I verified that the check valve & spa return pipe were clear.

Put her all back together and fired up and working smoothly now. Flow is good and functioning as expected!

Thanks again for helping me figure this one out folks! And @Jimrahbe mine was 56 yesterday so I totally agree getting in would not have been happening for me either! 🥶

Regards,
Nick
 
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I’m glad it was an easy fix and you didn’t have to take a polar plunge or waste the water draining the spa. I got all to familiar with trying to find a spa leak during our build and am glad I monitored our pressure and pushed the PB and plumber that something wasn’t right. They tried to blame the pressure leak on those exact plugs as I have the same channel drain.

I think most plaster companies assume you are using only 2 of those lines and not the third. I’m using all three in our spa for suction to run 2 pumps.
 
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@Jimrahbe Plug was still in place from original install. The plaster guys took out the other 2 but didn't remove the third. I guess they didn't know/think that was being used.

@Robtown I think you're right on for that type of drain...I am just glad it was able to be resolved easily as well. A little duct tape on the overflow drain to spill the spa water temporarily into the pool made removing the plate and pulling the plug much simpler.
 
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