Started getting bubbles in the return lines a couple weeks ago. Trying to figure out where it might be coming from. It's definitely on the suction side, since there are bubbles in the pump basket.
The bubbles enter my pump basket when the main drain only is on. When I add another intake (skimmer, for example), the bubbles go away. The bubbles don't happen on any other combination - only when it's main drain only.
So my guess it that it has to be the main drain. Is that assumption right? I also used a trick a friend told me about and burnt some incense sticks near the pump. Moving the smoke around all the fittings and valves to see if the leak would show itself by sucking in the smoke, but no luck. At this point I have to guess it's on the main drain and below the surface.
So before I start digging, am I on the right track? My thought was just to dig below the ground until I hit the first 90 that goes towards the pool, then check that fitting for leaks. Anything beyond that seems like I should hire someone.
The bubbles enter my pump basket when the main drain only is on. When I add another intake (skimmer, for example), the bubbles go away. The bubbles don't happen on any other combination - only when it's main drain only.
So my guess it that it has to be the main drain. Is that assumption right? I also used a trick a friend told me about and burnt some incense sticks near the pump. Moving the smoke around all the fittings and valves to see if the leak would show itself by sucking in the smoke, but no luck. At this point I have to guess it's on the main drain and below the surface.
So before I start digging, am I on the right track? My thought was just to dig below the ground until I hit the first 90 that goes towards the pool, then check that fitting for leaks. Anything beyond that seems like I should hire someone.