We are new to the pool/spa world. The valves are Jandy 2-way valves. When the pool pump is running the spa fills with water and the overflow goes into the pool. When the pump stops - the water in the spa drains to the level of the pool itself. When we first got the pool/spa system the spa always seemed to stay full. I need to know how to keep the spa water level full regardless of whether the pump is running.
Jandy pool/spa system with manual valves
- Thread starter Tierrapoolspa
- Start date
T,
Most likely the check valve in the Spa return line is bad...
Show us some pics of your equipment pad...
Thanks,
Jim R.
Most likely the check valve in the Spa return line is bad...
Show us some pics of your equipment pad...
Thanks,
Jim R.
Will post tomorrow. Maybe I'll learn where the check valve is! Thanks.
You also have to be sure the suction side valve shuts off completely. There is no check valve in that line to prevent the spa from equalizing with the pool. It would be very unusual if you have 2-way valves. For a pool/spa combo it would require at least 4 where 2 3-way valves would be used. Depending on the age and use of the valves, the diverters can be worn and allow this to happen as well. You may also have a dedicated fill for the spa and the return valve is slightly open to spa when it shouldn't be. Pictures, please.
Here are the photos. I've been turning the Main/Spa Drain valve on and off. Not sure. If the check valve wasn't working wouldn't it always completely drain the spa? Today it was the first time in a while that the spa drained completely dry.
- Jul 21, 2013
- 55,445
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
I circled the check valve in the Spa Waterfall line.
Turn off the valve above it at night with your pump off and see if the spa stops draining. If so it is draining from that line. OFF is the handle vertical.
Turn off the valve above it at night with your pump off and see if the spa stops draining. If so it is draining from that line. OFF is the handle vertical.
If you have a raised spa (higher than the pool) and you keep your valves in the positions shown your spa will drain. The handle on the return 3-way valve should point to the right completely (3 o'clock). The handle on the "drain" should also be in that position. The line labeled "spa waterfall" should be the line that returns some filtered water to the spa to keep it fresh. With the handles in the position in the pictures there is nothing from stopping a raised spa from draining back to the pool through the equipment. Your spa was drained today because water was being pulled from it through the open main drain valve but mostly returned to the pool.
Close the spa port on both valves and the problem should go away unless you do have a bad check valve. You would, usually, be able to see that through the lid of the check valve as water motion. I've seen this many times because pool owners/operators (new service techs) think that setting the valves as in your pictures will somehow improve circulation.
The pool pump was running and the spa waterfall was working as well. As soon as I turned the spa drain and spa return to 3 o'clock - the pool side fountain shut off and the pool pump was just circulating water in the spa. Fine with me. I just turned the pool pump off and the water level in the spa remained full. So the next time I want to circulate the water from the pool pump I need to turn the spa back to
The spa waterfall valve is now pointing vertical. The handle is now the same as the spa return valve. I'm waiting for a bit to see if the spa drains. Thanks.
Response to 1poolman1:
The pool pump was running and the spa waterfall was working as well. As soon as I turned the spa drain and spa return to 3 o'clock - the pool side fountain shut off and the pool pump was just circulating water in the spa. Fine with me. I just turned the pool pump off and the water level in the spa remained full. So the next time I want to circulate the water from the pool pump I need to turn the spa back to 12 o'clock and everything works fine. It's after I shut off the pump - then close the spa waterfall and the spa should stay full. I think.
The pool pump was running and the spa waterfall was working as well. As soon as I turned the spa drain and spa return to 3 o'clock - the pool side fountain shut off and the pool pump was just circulating water in the spa. Fine with me. I just turned the pool pump off and the water level in the spa remained full. So the next time I want to circulate the water from the pool pump I need to turn the spa back to 12 o'clock and everything works fine. It's after I shut off the pump - then close the spa waterfall and the spa should stay full. I think.
Spa Waterfall handle vertical shuts off that valve, no flow. On the two 3-way valves it is the handle that points to where the water is going or coming from. The curved part opposite the handle has a "closed" label. If you have the handle on the return valve pointing right (3 o'clock) and you lost flow to the pool there is something wrong. I have seen valve handles forced on the stem in a wrong position. There are 4 grooves in the stem and 4 "teeth" that go into them. One is smaller than the other 3 so the handle is set properly. It can be forced on wrong.
When I turn the pool pump off - I move both the Spa Return and the Spa Drain to 3 o'clock. The spa stays full until the next day when I turn the Spa return to 12 o'clock and the Spa Drain to 9 o'clock. The Spa Waterfall stays at 9 o'clock all the time.
I need to know how to incorporate the heater for either heating the pool or the spa. I think they run independently from each other. I believe I first need to turn on the Spa Blower and the Heater pump - both are now switched off at the power box. Can you help me with valve positioning?
- Jul 21, 2013
- 55,445
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60