In Ground Spa Air Breather Identification

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B

Bignote

Bronze Supporter
Jun 2, 2021
27
Thousand Oaks, CA
Pool Size
15000
Chlorine
Salt Water Generator
SWG Type
Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Hello

My in ground spa has stopped producing bubbles. I've searched a little on the subject and it could be a number of factors. First issue for me as a relative newcomer to pool ownership, is identifying the air inlet itself. I thought it was a 45° angle pipe sticking out near the fountain that plunges into the spa, but I think that's got more to do with the irrigation and drainage of the hill and vegetation behind it. The attached image is of the equipment around 20-25ft from the spa itself - I'm assuming its the central tall one with the breather hole.

Many posts suggest blowing air in with a shopvac etc, but I can't get any kind of pressure attached due to the small slit . I think it's big enough for small insects etc to get in it, so could be that. Might be more likely a water intrusion from the recent rain we had, causing a block. The pictured pipe doesn't screw off or prise off, so I'll have to saw it off to look in it and I wanted to get some confirmation before doing that....Thanks!

I don't believe I have a blower - just the pool pump. Tthe fountain has a separate pump which is inactive at this time. It sees to me all spa operations are powered by the main pool pump with automatic valves that switch over. This is the second time this has happened. It fixed itself last time but not so far this time.

Any insight greatly appreciated...
 

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Bignote said:
I'm assuming its the central tall one with the breather hole.
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Correct. You do not have a blower. I doubt that water intrusion is an issue. You can always cut the existing cap off, and replace it after you've done some troubleshooting. It doesn't need to be airtight, so you can just use a single set screw to keep it in place if you desire.

Make sure the pump is running at a high enough speed to produce bubbles. Also ensure that valves are set to full spa suction and spa return. Put your hand down near the returns and make sure you're getting sufficient water pressure. Some spa jets are adjustable, so make sure they are in the open position.
 
OK - thanks guys - great info. I figured I'd be sawing the top off but wanted to make sure. Returns are powerful enough that I can't relly prevent the flow with my hand. I assume debris is the cause as I haven't made any valve setting changes (don't really understand the piping layout enough to mess with it) I'll put 2 90's on after I clean what's down there and also get some kind of mesh on it to prevent further intrusion. Of course, I should reiterate that they were working fine before...
 
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OK I managed to get out there again today - I was in fact able to twist the top off which I thought of as a win... However as soon as I did that I could see water in there about halfway up - I assume that to be a major issue? Should that be totally water free? Unsure how I'd clear that as the pipe is narrower than my shopvac hose and tools - any ideas?
 
Bignote said:
OK I managed to get out there again today - I was in fact able to twist the top off which I thought of as a win... However as soon as I did that I could see water in there about halfway up - I assume that to be a major issue? Should that be totally water free? Unsure how I'd clear that as the pipe is narrower than my shopvac hose and tools - any ideas?
Click to expand...
That pipe will be full of water to the height of the spa water if the jets are not "on." It is just an open line connected to a series of inverted "t" fittings. In a properly working system a special orifice will channel the water into a specific stream which will create a venturi effect and suck the pipe dry and then inject air into the stream (bubnles). Jets off, water refills pipe. Physics- water seeks its own level.
 
Bignote said:
Hello

My in ground spa has stopped producing bubbles. I've searched a little on the subject and it could be a number of factors. First issue for me as a relative newcomer to pool ownership, is identifying the air inlet itself. I thought it was a 45° angle pipe sticking out near the fountain that plunges into the spa, but I think that's got more to do with the irrigation and drainage of the hill and vegetation behind it. The attached image is of the equipment around 20-25ft from the spa itself - I'm assuming its the central tall one with the breather hole.

Many posts suggest blowing air in with a shopvac etc, but I can't get any kind of pressure attached due to the small slit . I think it's big enough for small insects etc to get in it, so could be that. Might be more likely a water intrusion from the recent rain we had, causing a block. The pictured pipe doesn't screw off or prise off, so I'll have to saw it off to look in it and I wanted to get some confirmation before doing that....Thanks!

I don't believe I have a blower - just the pool pump. Tthe fountain has a separate pump which is inactive at this time. It sees to me all spa operations are powered by the main pool pump with automatic valves that switch over. This is the second time this has happened. It fixed itself last time but not so far this time.

Any insight greatly appreciated...
Click to expand...
Depending on the age, the spa -jet orifices in the back of the jet can be worn out allowing the water to flood the body and prevent air from being pulled in. Very often missed and not always easy to repair. They, usually, un-thread from the body but would need a socket on the end of a long extension to reach, 3/4" most likely. You have to be gentle as these are plastic that has been exposed to chlorinated, and then heated and chlorinated, water for years. The most common were "T-jet" inserts. You buy the complete orifice and body and just use the orifice.
 
AQUA~HOLICS said:
My comment was under the assumption that the water that was seen was in the pipe in the picture provided and was at a height above the spa level sine it was an in ground spa.
Click to expand...
Yes - I haven't given all the information I guess - apologies. The water probably is right in line with the spa level - the in ground spa is a few steps above the pool and above the level of the equipment.
 

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1poolman1 said:
Depending on the age, the spa -jet orifices in the back of the jet can be worn out allowing the water to flood the body and prevent air from being pulled in. Very often missed and not always easy to repair. They, usually, un-thread from the body but would need a socket on the end of a long extension to reach, 3/4" most likely. You have to be gentle as these are plastic that has been exposed to chlorinated, and then heated and chlorinated, water for years. The most common were "T-jet" inserts. You buy the complete orifice and body and just use the orifice.
Click to expand...
I've had one not-working jet since I moved in last year. I tried unsuccessfully through the home warranty to get it fixed, but the pool guy ultimately said I could free it up with a long thing stick etc to unblock it after I unscrewed the outer part. I tried that and it helped for a week or so, then not since. Another service said they'd probably have to jack hammer the whole thing, which sounded frightful of course..I Haven't yet found a way to get the entire insert out of the spa . Of course, though that one was faulty, the rest were working, so possibly not related to my current "nothing working" issue. Thanks again folks for the time and help
 
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