Check valve stuck closed

[blazin]

I've got a jandy clear check valve that I think may be stuck closed. This is for the jets on my spa. The separate pump turns on but the check valve never opens allowing water to flow out to the spa. The other main filter pump works fine allowing water to circulate through the spa.

Can I open the check valve and test the flapper? It has I believe 8 screws on top, but worried about breaking a seal or damaging.

What other troubleshooting steps do I have?

As far as I can tell from my plumbing pictures when the pool was built the jets are a closed system with a bottom drain and several eyeballs for return.

Thoughts??

 

[Jimrahbe]

B,

They can fail, but most of the time they fail open, not closed. I suspect the valve is just in backwards.

Just take out the 8-screws and "check" it out...

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[blazin]

Update I just tried pushing a hose from the pump filter into the check valve to open and it did so. Some pressure was relieved when doing so but the valve will still not open when running the pump. Does this indicate a clog?

 

[blazin]

B,

They can fail, but most of the time they fail open, not closed. I suspect the valve is just in backwards.

Just take out the 8-screws and "check" it out...

Thanks,

Jim R.

Would someone take it out during closing/opening? I just had it opened.

If the service company is at fault I'll have them fix it, otherwise it's been working since the pool was built a few years ago

 

[Jimrahbe]

B,

I have never heard of a check valve being removed with closing, but then again I live in a place where we don't close our pools in the winter..

I'd take it out and have a quick look..

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[JamesW]

Is the check valve on the suction or return side of the pump?

If it's on the suction, the flapper should be on the wall away from the pump and open towards the pump.

If it's on the return, the flapper should be on the wall closest to the pump and open away from the pump.

If the flapper easily opens, the problem is most likely due to the pump not priming.

Make sure that the pump is all airtight on the suction side.

Post some pictures of the system if you want us to take a look.

Here are some videos about the check valve.

When reinstalling the screws, rotate counterclockwise until you feel the screw drop into the original thread and then go clockwise.

This prevents cross-threading the plastic female threads.

Do not use power tools on the screws.

 

[JamesW]

Did they reinstall the drain plugs to the pump and add water to the basket area to prime the pump?

Make sure that the lid is on correctly and that the lid O-ring is lubricated.

 

[blazin]

Can I run with the check valve open by removal? If that doesn't work does that mean clog?

 

[JamesW]

Can I run with the check valve open by removal?

You can remove the flapper and run it without a flapper.

If the pump only goes to the spa jets, you probably don't need the check valve anyway.

 

[JamesW]

What is the pump elevation relative to the spa water surface level?

 

[blazin]

Pump and check valve:

Plumbing:

Equipment w/ Plumbing:

 

[blazin]

Did they reinstall the drain plugs to the pump and add water to the basket area to prime the pump?

Make sure that the lid is on correctly and that the lid O-ring is lubricated.

I think the drain plugs are in place and I just added water but no dice..

 

[blazin]

Is the check valve on the suction or return side of the pump?

If it's on the suction, the flapper should be on the wall away from the pump and open towards the pump.

If it's on the return, the flapper should be on the wall closest to the pump and open away from the pump.

If the flapper easily opens, the problem is most likely due to the pump not priming.

Make sure that the pump is all airtight on the suction side.

Post some pictures of the system if you want us to take a look.

Here are some videos about the check valve.

When reinstalling the screws, rotate counterclockwise until you feel the screw drop into the original thread and then go clockwise.

This prevents cross-threading the plastic female threads.

Do not use power tools on the screws.

I think the flapper is installed backwards based on your description.. which.. if it's truly suction.. would make sense that the pump is "sucking" the valve closed rather open..

 

[blazin]

I think the flapper is installed backwards based on your description.. which.. if it's truly suction.. would make sense that the pump is "sucking" the valve closed rather open..

After watching that video I'm 100%.. darn you pool company. They also keep messing with my Jandy valve switches screwing up my spill over

 

[blazin]

Nailed it!! Check valve flapper on backwards... I swear they do these things to drum up business

 

[JamesW]

Yep, it's backwards.

They might have removed it to be able to blow out the line to winterize everything.

Probably a mistake, but a careless mistake.

Since it's a closed loop, I don't see any reason to even have the check valve.

 

[blazin]

Yep, it's backwards.

They might have removed it to be able to blow out the line to winterize everything.

Probably a mistake, but a careless mistake.

Since it's a closed loop, I don't see any reason to even have the check valve.

I'm glad to slowly be learning these things I wish it wasn't so much trial by fire... I'm going to repairing a section of water line tile on my pool this week that was repaired in 2019 under warranty after a 2018 build...

And my polaris pump failed last year that got a warranty replacement..

I definitely have Darn luck..