check valve leaking - swim spa

[bk392rt]

Hi everyone!
I recently came home from being out of town and noticed my swim spa was losing water. I followed the leak and found this 1/2 inline check valve to apparently be the problem (at least so far)

There are two inline check valves on this side of the spa, neither are attached to anything other than a half inch line. Obviously it needs to be replaced, but I'm wondering what the functionality actually is for this or is this something I could just cap off to prevent the leak?
A few pictures are attached.

Thank you all in advance. I appreciate learning more on this forum!

 

[Texas Splash]

Welcome to TFP! I'm going to see if we can get @RDspaguy to help us on this one. Stand by .....................

 

[bk392rt]

Welcome to TFP! I'm going to see if we can get @RDspaguy to help us on this one. Stand by .....................

Thanks, I appreciate your help in finding a solution.

 

[RDspaguy]

Check valves are used to prevent waterflow into dry system components (blowers, air intakes), to act as a service valve on the return side of equipment, or to provide a pressure or vacuum bypass (filter, booster pump). Spring type are not usually used for service valves but are necessary for air and pressure bypass.
That does not look like 1/2" pipe. Please confirm size.
Pics of equipment area, circuit board, and spa interior might help shed some light on it's specific function.
Whatever it's for, you cannot just cap it off without some effect on the spa function. That could be anything from a loss of air at certain jets to heater system failure or collapsed filter. I'd just replace it.

 

[bk392rt]

Check valves are used to prevent waterflow into dry system components (blowers, air intakes), to act as a service valve on the return side of equipment, or to provide a pressure or vacuum bypass (filter, booster pump). Spring type are not usually used for service valves but are necessary for air and pressure bypass.
That does not look like 1/2" pipe. Please confirm size.
Pics of equipment area, circuit board, and spa interior might help shed some light on it's specific function.
Whatever it's for, you cannot just cap it off without some effect on the spa function. That could be anything from a loss of air at certain jets to heater system failure or collapsed filter. I'd just replace it.

Thanks @RDspaguy I really appreciate your insight.
I can confirm it is a 1/2" fitting that is leaking, I replaced the valve with a new one and the leak has stopped. On this end of the swim spa there are 2 pumps and I believe each pump has it's own inline check valve. It's hard to follow the lines due to all hoses covered with the spray foam insulation.
If I may ask a follow up question, if this valve is expected to 'breathe', why would water come out of it and do you think I should be prepared to relace this pump?
Thanks again!

 

[RDspaguy]

AIr intake lines should be under a vacuum with the pump on, but with it off there will be water there. Those rubber diaphrams deteriorate with time and chems and can leak. Often the air pipe will go up under the top edge (shoulder) of the spa to prevent water from reaching this valve in what's called a hartford loop.
If too many jets are closed, installed wrong, or heavily calcified this pipe can become pressurized and leak when the jets are on.