Good evening all. I have a return in my stairs that stopped working. I closed the valve to the 3 returns in the pool and placed my hands over two of the returns in the stairs and had no luck blowing out any clog in the non working return. I also noticed that the non working return was actually sucking water in when i did this. Any ideas what to do next?
Best way to troubleshoot one return that stopped working
- Thread starter Craig
- Start date
- Jun 24, 2021
- 16,436
- Pool Size
- 29000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
- Jun 24, 2021
- 16,436
- Pool Size
- 29000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
On the front view, there are 5 pipes coming out of the groud. What do the labels say, left to right?
1st is return to stairs (4 returns)
2nd is return to pool (3 Returns)
3rd is booster pump - not hooked up
4th is main drains (2)
5th is Skimmer
2nd is return to pool (3 Returns)
3rd is booster pump - not hooked up
4th is main drains (2)
5th is Skimmer
- Jun 24, 2021
- 16,436
- Pool Size
- 29000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
Looks like to have deck mounted air controls for the jets. Are there two or just one. When you open it what happens?
correct. one on each side of the stairs. Not sure if there is any difference but will check tomorrow. stay tuned
casiokid
Well-known member
- Feb 23, 2018
- 73
- Pool Size
- 10000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
I had a similar issue in my spa where all of the sudden, two returns weren’t functioning in spa mode and felt like they were sucking water instead.
The solution was to use a long extension socket (forgot the size) to unscrew the jets and pull them out.
Both had debris inside them and the blockage was causing the air rushing over them in the Venturi system to create that suction.
Hopefully, that’s your issue because it was a fairly easy fix!
The solution was to use a long extension socket (forgot the size) to unscrew the jets and pull them out.
Both had debris inside them and the blockage was causing the air rushing over them in the Venturi system to create that suction.
Hopefully, that’s your issue because it was a fairly easy fix!
opening the air control allows the bottom (functional) return to work but does nothing for the upper (non-functional) return.
- Jun 24, 2021
- 16,436
- Pool Size
- 29000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
Sorry. Missed that. Can't really see into the hole but there is something in there that comes out with a socket? Please confirm. I just assumed the stairs was molded as one piece. Guess it makes sense that it should come apart to fix. or break lol! I will try to see what can be done over the weekend and report back.
Attachments
got in pool with goggles and see there is a 6 sided nut in there. It appears to be clogged with metal. Before removing to fix, is there anything I need to be concerned about? What ma I removing? Am I going to cause a leak? Should I wait to close the pool when the jet will be above water?
- Jun 24, 2021
- 16,436
- Pool Size
- 29000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
- Jul 21, 2013
- 65,538
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
It should be a removable nozzle as described in post #8.
You can't ever be sure when you start messing with things.
Once you close the pool how will you test your repair?
I would drop the water level down below the jet and see about removing it. I always prefer working with things that are not underwater. It is better to see and feel what you are doing.
thanks all. I haven't tackled this because I am not sure what I am messing with. I've done a lot of research online but really have not found out much.
I guess the question is; what am I unscrewing? I assume a jet but what happens when I take this nut off? Does everything stay in place or will things float/fall away? I'm sure it is easier than i think but I'd hate to try to fix and end up with a hole.
I guess the question is; what am I unscrewing? I assume a jet but what happens when I take this nut off? Does everything stay in place or will things float/fall away? I'm sure it is easier than i think but I'd hate to try to fix and end up with a hole.
Casiokid,
The jet just comes out? Are they just inserted in to the line and no issues with leaks? I.E. The return is unaffected by the jet?
Thanks,
Craig
I had a rock stuck in mine, removed jet with 9/16 socket on extension. It was also sucking water in.
www.troublefreepool.com
Spa jet wasn't working - solved
We had one spa jet not working, in fact it would suck water in. I removed the jet venturi nozzle with a 9/16 socket on a long extension, as described on other posts, it was just barely hand tight and I just snugged it up when I reinstalled it. I found this rock lodged in the nozzle.
www.troublefreepool.com
casiokid
Well-known member
- Feb 23, 2018
- 73
- Pool Size
- 10000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Hey Craig, yes. As stated in post 18, use a 9/16 socket with a long extension. It just unscrews and you can remove the debris.
For reference, I attached a photo of the jet removed with the debris inside. It’s not a great photo, but it’s all I had!
