What is this?

[Mamamartini]

Pool came with new house. Seller was an investor who never lived in the house and didn't maintain the pool (renters did), so I don't know the pool history. Is this a return that's been capped off? We only have 2 returns, so a 3rd could really be beneficial for circulation in this big pool. Is there any risk to taking the plug out? What are possible reasons they capped it? What else could it be besides a return?

Thank you!

 

[Jimrahbe]

Mama,

I would suspect an unused vacuum port. They normally have a flapper like cap, but it could have broken and was just replaced with a plug.

Could also be a unused return, but then the only reason to plug it would be due to a leak, and plugging just one end would not solve anything.

If you can add a picture of your equipment pad, showing the valves and surrounding equipment, you might get a better answer.

Jim R.

 

[txnole]

Best odds are that it is NOT a return due to the location on the stairs and the cap. There would be no good reason to cap 1 of 3 returns.

 

[Mamamartini]

Mama,
If you can add a picture of your equipment pad, showing the valves and surrounding equipment, you might get a better answer.

Jim R.

Let me know if you need more pictures!

- - - Updated - - -

In my equipment pictures, can you see the electrical "station?" The switch under the outlet is for the pump, but we have no idea what the switch on the other side is for. Any ideas about that? We have two pool lights, but they don't work, so we aren't sure if that's what the switch is for.

 

[Divin Dave]

looks like you have 3 scution lines from the pool to the pump. 1) Skimmer 2) main drain and 3) ? could be a port for a suction side cleaner?

 

[Mamamartini]

looks like you have 3 scution lines from the pool to the pump. 1) Skimmer 2) main drain and 3) ? could be a port for a suction side cleaner?

someone labeled them: deep end skimmer, shallow skimmer and main drain.

 

[Divin Dave]

Ah ok. So its not a suction cleaner port. hummmm? I wonder what it could be....

 

[Jimrahbe]

Do you have two skimmers?

I see no reason not to take the plug out and see what happens. There should either be suction there, or pressure.. if nothing, I'd stick the plug back in.

Jim R.

 

[Mamamartini]

There are two skimmers. I will take the plug out and see what happens.

Thank you!

 

[Mamamartini]

Update...it IS a functioning return!! So exciting!

 

[JamesW]

It's a step return. Typically, there is a separate line going to the step returns. Step returns are sometimes called step jets because some people install hydrotherapy jets there so that people can sit on the steps and get jet action like in a hot tub (That's the intent anyway. They rarely, if ever get used like that).

Don't know why it was plugged or why it doesn't have its own plumbing line.

The extra switch probably goes to the lights. You can open the lights junction boxes to see if power is getting to the lights.

 

[MarianParoo]

I bet it used to have a circulating return. They are often found on pool steps.
Custom Molded Products Deluxe Rotating Massage Jet - Gray - 23315-031-000 - INYOPools.com

Keep an eye out (just in case) for any lowering of water level in the pool just in case there was a leak issue.

 

[JamesW]

Did water start coming out as soon as you removed the plug?

If the line was getting return water pressure the whole time, then the pool would have been losing water if the line leaked.

 

[Mamamartini]

Water came out immediately...is that good or bad?

- - - Updated - - -

I don't understand this whole leaking issue, and that worries me.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Mama,

I would not be too worried about a leak. Since this is a pressure pipe, plugging the end would not stop a leak, so there must have been another reason to close it off.

I'd add an eyeball and use it..

Jim R.

 

[pooldv]

I agree with Jim. Water coming out immediately is good. That means the line was pressurized and full of water so if the pool wasn't leaking before then it isn't leaking now.

 

[Serious1]

check the pressure in the other 2 returns, perhaps they capped it so that they could get more force on the other 2. We have 4 returns but only 3 really worked until we made the PB install eyelets and now they all shoot out water.