Hi everybody, I'm glad I found this chat site. I hope your knowledge and expertise can help me out. I am new to Florida and purchased a home with a pool. The inground pool was built around 2014, so really not that old. Anyway, the builder put in Deep Heat returns. One in the shallow end, the other in the deep end. These are not your typical jet returns. They are basically two returns on the bottom of the pooI -- one in the shallow end. One in the deep end. Its supposed to provide a quicker way to warm up your pool. I suspect it never caught on with pool builders because people look at me like deer in headlights when I bring up the topic of deep heat returns. My problem is when I open the Deep Heat Valve, water rushes out of the shallow end only. Nothing comes out of the deep end. I'm stumped as to why nothing comes out. I dont see another valve for the deep end. Just one valve for both. Im assuming the deep heat return is blocked. Or plugged with debris. Any thoughts from anyone familiar with this system? Theres very very little on the internet about Deep Heat systems. Help. Thanks for your input.
New to Florida New to Pool and need help
- Thread starter Adwizard
- Start date
- Jul 21, 2013
- 55,088
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
Welcome to TFP.
We hear about some pools being built with a "deep heat return". Sometimes a main drain is changed to a return to provide deep heat. It really is a bit of a gimmick and does not heat the pool any faster. But some builders use it as a way to differentiate themselves from other bids.
How deep is your pool?
Show us pics of your pool, equipment pad and plumbing and valves.
We hear about some pools being built with a "deep heat return". Sometimes a main drain is changed to a return to provide deep heat. It really is a bit of a gimmick and does not heat the pool any faster. But some builders use it as a way to differentiate themselves from other bids.
How deep is your pool?
Show us pics of your pool, equipment pad and plumbing and valves.
Hi, thanks for responding. My pool is 14' x 28'. It's approximately 5' 8" on the deep end. Five pics. Full view of pool. Photo of Deep Heat returns (2).(shallow and deep end) Photo of two drains in deep end. Photo of Deep Heat return valve (in off position). I do have a saltwater generator as well. The deep heat returns are spaced about 5' toward the center of pool from pool edge...front and back. Thats as best I cando for phoros. Pool is currently running, hence the wavy water.
Attachments
A,
Are you sure that nothing is coming out of the deep end return?.. How can you tell? I suspect it is easier for the water to come out at the shallow end.
I assume that you have normal pool returns in the side wall of your pool. If that is true, then it won't make any difference if you use the "deep heat" returns or not.. If this were my pool I would not waste any time trying to fix something that will make no difference.
Thanks,
Jim R.
Are you sure that nothing is coming out of the deep end return?.. How can you tell? I suspect it is easier for the water to come out at the shallow end.
I assume that you have normal pool returns in the side wall of your pool. If that is true, then it won't make any difference if you use the "deep heat" returns or not.. If this were my pool I would not waste any time trying to fix something that will make no difference.
Thanks,
Jim R.
- Jul 21, 2013
- 55,088
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
What Jim R. said above.
Your pool is too small and shallow to benefit from the deep end heat return. Run the pool with or without the deep end heat on. It will not make much of a difference.
Your pool is too small and shallow to benefit from the deep end heat return. Run the pool with or without the deep end heat on. It will not make much of a difference.
Hi, thanks for your response. How can I tell that nothing is coming out of the deep end? Simple. I put my foot over the deep heat return and feel absolutely no water coming out. No force - like the shallow deep heat return does. And that comes out quite forcefully. Yes, I do have front and side jets. They work good. You are probably right. Don't bother fixing deep heat return. But it's always good to have a pool working at optimal performance -- or as it should. Isn't it? Keep it in tip top shape?
Do you turn off the other returns when using the deep heat returns?
Is this a new problem or has it done this since the pool was new?
Is this a new problem or has it done this since the pool was new?
Thanks for your response. That's interesting why they would even bother offering that feature if my pool is too small and shallow.
- Jul 21, 2013
- 55,088
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
To get the job and make the buyer feel they got something special. The two returns and valve didn't add more then $200 to the build.
You don't know if water ever came out of the deep return when the pool was new. Water follows the path of least resistance. Those two deep water lines should have each had a valve on them to balance the flow to get water flowing to the deep line. I think it was a poor design that never worked properly.
I do not turn off any other returns when I open the valve for the deep heat. Interesting question. Because I recently purchased this home, I do not know if this has been a problem from the get-go or not. Or if I even have a problem I do know the original owners had the valve closed when I moved in. And when I opened the valve only the shallow end put out a good force of water. I wonder if turning off the other jet returns would direct more water to the deep heat return on the deep end. Would that hurt to turn off the other returns. I'm new to this.
You may be right. There's only one valve dedicated to both deep heat returns... From what I can tell. I dont think the pool was ever modified after they built it. So I suspect there was only one valve to begin with.
I'd try turning off the other returns & see what happens. If water starts coming out the deep end then at least you'll know it's not blocked. Keep an eye on the filter pressure when you turn off the other returns. If pressure rises more than a pound or two then try partially closing the other return.
A,
I have never worked with a deep return, but I do know that you can't use your feet to tell if a normal main is working or not.. It is pretty unlikely that the deep return is clogged... I think it is just the design of the plumbing that is making it appear to be plugged.
I like the idea of shutting off all the wall returns, and forcing water through just the deep returns and see what happens.. I bet if you cover the shallow end return, you will suddenly see the deep end return is working.
Thanks,
Jim R.
I have never worked with a deep return, but I do know that you can't use your feet to tell if a normal main is working or not.. It is pretty unlikely that the deep return is clogged... I think it is just the design of the plumbing that is making it appear to be plugged.
I like the idea of shutting off all the wall returns, and forcing water through just the deep returns and see what happens.. I bet if you cover the shallow end return, you will suddenly see the deep end return is working.
Thanks,
Jim R.
Thanks everybody. I really appreciate your answers. If I solve the riddle I'll post my findings. And I'm always interested in other opinions, too. Thanks