Bubbles in check valve

[nostaljake]

With TFP's help, I was able to open my pool this season by myself! Feeling mighty proud. Thanks to all who contribute here.

Now I'm onto fixing a suction side air leak problem.

I have three lines that go to my pump: the main drain, shallow skimmer, and deep skimmer. All three of these lines have check valves when they arrive at the equipment pad. And all three lines eventually come together at a Jandy valve right before the pump.

I can hear air leaking at the Jandy valve, so I'm sure that is at least one problem. Based on other threads, it seems like I need to take that apart and maybe replace some of the guts.

But my question here relates to one of the check valves. The check valve for the deep skimmer has a bunch of air bubbles in it. The other two valves do not.

So my question is: since this check valve is BEFORE the leaking Jandy valve, does this mean I definitely have a leak in the deep skimmer line somewhere too? I'm assuming yes, but just want to make sure air can't go backwards in the system causing those bubbles. Thanks!

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

Try swapping the cover of the check valve with the bubbles with another check valve cover and see if it changes anything.

 

[nostaljake]

Try swapping the cover of the check valve with the bubbles with another check valve cover and see if it changes anything.

Gave this a try. No significant change, although it's easier to see now, which is helpful.

A couple other notes:

1) I ran the pump with only the main drain and shallow skimmer, and the air in the system was almost completely gone. So I think this is further evidence there's a problem in the deep skimmer line.

2) The deep skimmer line is mostly above ground, so I traced it back as far as I could with no luck. Worried the issue is right at the skimmer itself, which I can't get to.

Worst case, I'm planning to renovate soon anyway so this will hopefully get fixed with a new skimmer. The air in the system isn't so bad that it's causing major problems as of now, but obviously I'd prefer no air.