Are pools super finicky? In my mind they should just work

[DontknowWhatImDoing]

Hi all new guy is back. I have a few questions regarding my new pool build. In my opinion this thing just doesn’t work as it should. I have a list of items that are bothering me please bear with me.
1. I have a Hayward heater in bypass operation mode. It works, however when I make the smallest change it throws an SF error. For instance I was heating the spa, started the blower and it presented that error. Also, I turned on our water feature (seperate pump) and it threw that error. I can’t see the error in the app. I only noticed it wasn’t working as the water was getting colder. How can I see the errors or the heater isn’t working when in BO mode?
2. I’m getting a lot of spitting from my pool return jets. Even when the pool is filled to the waterline. I did notice today that when I’m in pool mode the spa return jets are still working. But in spa mode the pool return jets don’t work. Is this normal?
3. I believe I may have a leak around the skimmers it’s too cold for me to shut my pool off now but next week I plan on doing the dye test and if I find one what’s everyone’s favorite fix? I saw the 3M 5200 sealant, is there anything else that’s better? What’s the preferred fix?
Thanks for any help or suggestions!

 

[Bperry]

Hi all new guy is back. I have a few questions regarding my new pool build. In my opinion this thing just doesn’t work as it should. I have a list of items that are bothering me please bear with me.
1. I have a Hayward heater in bypass operation mode. It works, however when I make the smallest change it throws an SF error. For instance I was heating the spa, started the blower and it presented that error. Also, I turned on our water feature (seperate pump) and it threw that error. I can’t see the error in the app. I only noticed it wasn’t working as the water was getting colder. How can I see the errors or the heater isn’t working when in BO mode?
2. I’m getting a lot of spitting from my pool return jets. Even when the pool is filled to the waterline. I did notice today that when I’m in pool mode the spa return jets are still working. But in spa mode the pool return jets don’t work. Is this normal?
3. I believe I may have a leak around the skimmers it’s too cold for me to shut my pool off now but next week I plan on doing the dye test and if I find one what’s everyone’s favorite fix? I saw the 3M 5200 sealant, is there anything else that’s better? What’s the preferred fix?
Thanks for any help or suggestions!

You have a new plaster pool that leaking? Your builder should have a proper way to fix that depending on why and if it’s really leaking.

 

[ajw22]

What model heater are we discussing?

Post pictures of your equipment pad.

In SPA mode you want all water and heat going into the spa. Water is suctioned from the spa and returned to the spa in SPA mode.

Your probably want to patch leaks around the skimmer with grout. It depends where the leak is.

 

[DontknowWhatImDoing]

What model heater are we discussing?

Post pictures of your equipment pad.

In SPA mode you want all water and heat going into the spa. Water is suctioned from the spa and returned to the spa in SPA mode.

Your probably want to patch leaks around the skimmer with grout. It depends where the leak is.

It’s a Hayward HDF400.
Is it the same for pool mode. As I mentioned I see the spa return jets also working when in pool mode. It’s a raised spa with a spillover, is that why that spa return is working when in pool mode?

 

[DontknowWhatImDoing]

You have a new plaster pool that leaking? Your builder should have a proper way to fix that depending on why and if it’s really leaking.

i had to switch builders during the build process long and expensive story. The original company went bankrupt and these guys took over after the gunite phase. They won’t warranty any work they didn’t do. I may have to hire a leak detection company to troubleshoot. If it’s something the new company did they would fix. I say it’s around the skimmers since the water won’t drop below that point. Researching this it seems pretty common in new pool builds. I let the water sit just below the skimmers for about a week and the water level didn’t drop past that point. . I have been adding water every day to keep the water level at the water line and avoid even more spitting from the jets.

 

[1poolman1]

It’s a Hayward HDF400.
Is it the same for pool mode. As I mentioned I see the spa return jets also working when in pool mode. It’s a raised spa with a spillover, is that why that spa return is working when in pool mode?

When in "Pool" mode, some water will go to the spa to keep it supplied with freshly filtered and chemically treated water so it doesn't stagnate. so yes there will be water at the spa returns at that time. It overflows because no water is being pulled from the spa. That is normal pool operation.

 

[ajw22]

You have a SPA BYPASS line on the pool return side that flows to the spa.

If you close the red valve you can turn off flow to the spa when in POOL mode.

You can use the SPILLWAY mode on your automation to refresh the spa water twice a day.

What control system do you have?

 

[ajw22]

You have a Hayward HC Series heater.

https://hayward.com/media/akeneo_connector/asset_files/5/1/51300803801_RevD_b22e.pdf

https://hayward.com/media/akeneo_connector/asset_files/U/H/UHC_Troubleshooting_Guide__TSG_UHSHC21d__081f.pdf

That is a fairly new model, and you should make a warranty claim to Hayward for it throwing SF errors.

 

[DontknowWhatImDoing]

You have a SPA BYPASS line on the pool return side that flows to the spa.

If you close the red valve you can turn off flow to the spa when in POOL mode.

You can use the SPILLWAY mode on your automation to refresh the spa water twice a day.

What control system do you have?

View attachment 623916

The control system is a Hayward OmniLogic PL

 

[ajw22]

The control system is a Hayward OmniLogic PL

https://hayward.com/media/akeneo_connector/asset_files/0/9/092765_RevB_9ec2.pdf