I have a lot of air bubbles coming out the return lines. I'm not loosing any water so I don't think any pipes have cracked. I have (5) returns back into the pool and all are getting the same amount of air coming out. Is there anyway air can be entering though the filter valve even it I don't have any leaks there? I'm noticing some leaking around the pool pump, is there a seal between the pump housing the the motor that could be pulling air? I'm not seeing any more than normal air in the pump housing so I believe it's after the pump housing. Any suggestions?
Air in return lines
- Thread starter sls
- Start date
- Jul 21, 2013
- 52,480
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
You have a suction side air leak.
Leaks on the pressure side lose water and do not suck in air.
What pump do you have?
Post pics of your pump and where the leak is.
www.troublefreepool.com
Leaks on the pressure side lose water and do not suck in air.
What pump do you have?
Post pics of your pump and where the leak is.
Suction Side Air Leaks
If you see air bubbles coming out of the return lines in your pool, you likely have a leak. Some signs that a suction side plumbing leak has occurred include: Read more
www.troublefreepool.com
sls,
Normally air enters on the suction side of the pump when the pump is running. The output of the pump is under pressure when the pump is running, so it cannot suck air in.
When you turn off the pump, pressure side leaks can then suck air in. You see this a lot when the pump shuts off and the water in the pump basket drains back into the pool. This can also allow the water in the filter to drain down. When the pump come back on and the filter is full of air, the air will come out of your returns. Generally, this only lasts for a minute or so until the filter fills back up to the top.
What does the air coming out of your returns look like? Do you have very small Champine looking bubbles, or really big bubbles that quickly go away?
Thanks,
Jim R.
Normally air enters on the suction side of the pump when the pump is running. The output of the pump is under pressure when the pump is running, so it cannot suck air in.
When you turn off the pump, pressure side leaks can then suck air in. You see this a lot when the pump shuts off and the water in the pump basket drains back into the pool. This can also allow the water in the filter to drain down. When the pump come back on and the filter is full of air, the air will come out of your returns. Generally, this only lasts for a minute or so until the filter fills back up to the top.
What does the air coming out of your returns look like? Do you have very small Champine looking bubbles, or really big bubbles that quickly go away?
Thanks,
Jim R.
It's larger size bubbles that you can actually hear coming out all 5 returns the same amount. Its like a big gush of bubbles, then smaller bubbles, then another big gush of bubbles. The bubbles do not go away. I went home for lunch and shut the valve on each skimmer off at different times and it didn't change anything. I'm guessing that rules out issues from the (2) skimmers to the pump? I'm going to look again at the plugs and fittings around the pump basket this evening.
I forgot to take any pictures, I was having trouble figuring out where the water was coming from. It's not a lot of water. I did notice there is more air showing up in the pump basket than there usually is. Pump isn't having any issues staying primed but does seem to take a little longer to re-prime from shutdown.You have a suction side air leak.
Leaks on the pressure side lose water and do not suck in air.
What pump do you have?
Post pics of your pump and where the leak is.
Suction Side Air Leaks
If you see air bubbles coming out of the return lines in your pool, you likely have a leak. Some signs that a suction side plumbing leak has occurred include: Read more
- Jul 21, 2013
- 52,480
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
Start with the simple stuff.
Check the condition of the O ring on the pump lid and if it looks good coat it with Pool Lube.
www.troublefreepool.com
Check the drains on the pump for leaks and tightness.
What model pump do you have?
Do you have diverter valves on your suction lines that could have leaking O rings?
Check the condition of the O ring on the pump lid and if it looks good coat it with Pool Lube.
Pool Lube - Further Reading
www.troublefreepool.com
Check the drains on the pump for leaks and tightness.
What model pump do you have?
Do you have diverter valves on your suction lines that could have leaking O rings?
- May 3, 2007
- 16,886
- Pool Size
- 20000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
That sounds more like the skimmer is sucking in air. Is the weir door stuck or the pool level too low? It should be mid way up the skimmer.
I'm still not sure what went on. After I re-did some of the fittings at the pump it still didn't help. I tried to by pass the filter and put it on recirculate and it helped some. I left running enough for it to get all the air out but it never stopped. I turned off the pump and as I push the lever down to go back to filter I heard air release from filter top and when I restarted it all the air bubbles went away after a few minutes of running. It's been running for a day now and no problems. Is there anyway air could get into the filter valve and water not be coming out of it?
- May 3, 2007
- 16,886
- Pool Size
- 20000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
Not in the valve but air can collect in the filter and it will eventually get pushed out by water. Does your filter have an air release valve at the top? You can use that to more quickly purge air from the filter.
Did you check the water level and skimmer weir door?
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Yes, I've let the air out with the release valve a few times but it never helped any. The weir doors have been fine (I have 2 skimmers) and the water level is 3/4 up the skimmer. I guess I'll just wait and see if it happens again. Very confusing, I've never had anything like that happen before.