Confused on Plumbing and Valve System

[jennei]

Hi all,

This is my first time owning a pool and I’m having a hard time understanding the pool’s valve system. I don’t think I have a valve for the main drain and a local pool company told me that one of the lines could be the cleaner.

My question is: under normal operation, should the cleaner valve be open? Also, I don’t get good suction from the skimmer and have seen people attach the vacuum hose to the cleaner opening in the pool. Is that correct?

Thanks for all the help!

 

[HermanTX]

Welcome to TFP.
The picture of the pump only shows 1 line leading to the suction. If that is correct you may only have suction from the skimmer. Do you have 1 or 2 skimmers in the pool? Maybe post a better picture of the pump suction from a different angle.
In your pool, how many returns do you have? Feel for water flow when the pump is running. do all the returns have good flow?
Do you have any other ports in the pool? I do not see anything in the picture that indicates a dedicated suction line for a cleaner

On the exit of the pump, the pipe goes to a 3-way valve which allows flow to the filter or you can flow to a drain line. Is that where that line is going? The picture shows the valve is open to the filter for flow and closed to the drain line.

On the exit of the filter the plumbing line leads to a 3-way valve. One line must go to the pool. Do you know where the other line goes? It shows to be going into the wall on the left. The picture shows that valve is open and both pipes are receiving flow from the filter.

Show a picture of your pool. Thanks.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Jenni,

Since you only have one suction line, most likely your main drain is tied into the bottom of your skimmer. If you take out the skimmer basket, tell us how many holes you see. If you have two holes, the one closest to the water will go to the main drain and the other one should go to your pump. If you stick your hand near it, you should feel the suction. Is there anything between the bottom of your skimmer basket and the holes in the bottom of the skimmer?

Look and see is you have a weir door... this door is between the pool water and the skimmer basket and it floats up and down with water. The weir door is what makes a skimmer.... skim.

The water returning to your pool goes through a 3-way valve. One pipe goes to your pool returns in the sidewall of your pool. The other most likely goes to some water feature, like a waterfall or ???

The 3-way valve by the pump lets water go to your filter or most likely to waste. I suppose it could go to a cleaner, but that would be odd. Most old cleaners are suction side cleaner and most pressure side cleaners have a booster pump. Do you have a cleaner? If so, what specific cleaner is it?

When was the last time you cleaned your filter.

The more pictures you show the better. Show us a pic of what you think is the "vacuum hose" connection in the pool.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[jennei]

Welcome to TFP.
The picture of the pump only shows 1 line leading to the suction. If that is correct you may only have suction from the skimmer. Do you have 1 or 2 skimmers in the pool? Maybe post a better picture of the pump suction from a different angle.
In your pool, how many returns do you have? Feel for water flow when the pump is running. do all the returns have good flow?
Do you have any other ports in the pool? I do not see anything in the picture that indicates a dedicated suction line for a cleaner

On the exit of the pump, the pipe goes to a 3-way valve which allows flow to the filter or you can flow to a drain line. Is that where that line is going? The picture shows the valve is open to the filter for flow and closed to the drain line.

On the exit of the filter the plumbing line leads to a 3-way valve. One line must go to the pool. Do you know where the other line goes? It shows to be going into the wall on the left. The picture shows that valve is open and both pipes are receiving flow from the filter.

Show a picture of your pool. Thanks.

Thank you for the warm welcome! The support on this page is amazing to say the lesat.

1. I have one skimmer. There are two holes in the skimmer, the one closest to the pump has no suction while the other one does.
2. I believe I have 3 returns. One seems to work fine, the second works sometimes, the third one doesn't seem to have water coming out of it. There are these two ports that I recently discovered.
3. On the exit of the pump, with the off pointing upwards, the waterfall turns on.
With the off pointing left (towards the filter), the hole underneath "Blue Haven" turns on.

Here are some photos, I've tried to label them!

 

[HermanTX]

In your latest picture with the pump and diverter valve, when the valve handle is pointed as it is as shown in the picture - both lines are open - one to the filter and the other to the cleaner or waterfall. I am a little confused in your hand drawn plumbing diagram - in one you indicate the line going up is to a cleaner and in the other you indicate it is a waterfall It needs to be one or the other. And when you say cleaner - what is the model or type of cleaner. Does that line exit to the pool?

Do you have a main drain at the bottom of the pool? It is hard to see in the picture with reflections of the screen enclosure.

 

[jennei]

In your latest picture with the pump and diverter valve, when the valve handle is pointed as it is as shown in the picture - both lines are open - one to the filter and the other to the cleaner or waterfall. I am a little confused in your hand drawn plumbing diagram - in one you indicate the line going up is to a cleaner and in the other you indicate it is a waterfall It needs to be one or the other. And when you say cleaner - what is the model or type of cleaner. Does that line exit to the pool?

Do you have a main drain at the bottom of the pool? It is hard to see in the picture with reflections of the screen enclosure.

Hi Hernan,
I apologize that my drawings are a little confusing haha; I was trying to draw two different scenario
1. When the valve handle is pointed upwards (as seen in the photo, the right diagram), the waterfall seems to open
2. When the valve handle is pointed to the left, towards the filter (the left-hand drawn diagram), bubbles appear from the hole right above the swimming pool light. I'm actually not sure what this hole is for and wanted to ask if this is a dedicated vacuum line? I must have misunderstood what a cleaner line was (I was basing it off a suggestion from a conversation with a local pool person)

Yes I have a main drain at the bottom

Here are some pictures of the hole I'm referring to, appreciate all the help!

 

[jennei]

Jenni,

Since you only have one suction line, most likely your main drain is tied into the bottom of your skimmer. If you take out the skimmer basket, tell us how many holes you see. If you have two holes, the one closest to the water will go to the main drain and the other one should go to your pump. If you stick your hand near it, you should feel the suction. Is there anything between the bottom of your skimmer basket and the holes in the bottom of the skimmer?

Look and see is you have a weir door... this door is between the pool water and the skimmer basket and it floats up and down with water. The weir door is what makes a skimmer.... skim.

The water returning to your pool goes through a 3-way valve. One pipe goes to your pool returns in the sidewall of your pool. The other most likely goes to some water feature, like a waterfall or ???

The 3-way valve by the pump lets water go to your filter or most likely to waste. I suppose it could go to a cleaner, but that would be odd. Most old cleaners are suction side cleaner and most pressure side cleaners have a booster pump. Do you have a cleaner? If so, what specific cleaner is it?

When was the last time you cleaned your filter.

The more pictures you show the better. Show us a pic of what you think is the "vacuum hose" connection in the pool.

Thanks,

Jim R.

Hi Jim,

There are two holes in the skimmer. The one further away from the water has suction while the one closest, does not. Is that normal? Also, I attached a picture of the skimmer holes above; is that normal?

I have also included a picture of what I think if the "vacuum hose" connection in the pool in a reply above. I think it's the hole right above where the swimming pool light is? It's where "Blue Haven" is labeled.

Thanks!!

 

[HermanTX]

1. When the valve handle is pointed upwards (as seen in the photo, the right diagram), the waterfall seems to open

On the exit side of the pump, the pipe T's off to 2 directions. One is to the filter and the other is to the waterfall.
When the word OFF is facing a pipe, then that pipe is closed. When the word OFF is in the middle (not facing any pipe) then flow is going to both the filter and the waterfall.

2. When the valve handle is pointed to the left, towards the filter (the left-hand drawn diagram), bubbles appear from the hole right above the swimming pool light. I'm actually not sure what this hole is for and wanted to ask if this is a dedicated vacuum line? I must have misunderstood what a cleaner line was (I was basing it off a suggestion from a conversation with a local pool person)

Can you clarify the above. Where is the word OFF? It may be best to take 2 photos. One with the word OFF facing one direction and another when the word OFF is facing the opposite direction. Also, run the pump in both scenarios. What flows or doesn't flow?
It is really hard to tell what that hole is above the pool light. Since bubbles appear when you have the pump running, there is some use for it.

This brings up the other question. In your photo, there is a pipe that exits the filter and goes to a 3 way valve where there are 2 pipes leading back to the pool. These pipes go down into the rocks. Right now, that valve is open to both lines, meaning that flow is going to both. Have you tried turning that valve if anything changes? When the word OFF is facing a pipe, then that pipe is CLOSED. You can have the left closed with right open, the right closed with left open. or both can be open (as the picture shows)

Sorry for asking more questions but trying to understand your system so we can help you.

 

[HermanTX]

Hi Jim,

There are two holes in the skimmer. The one further away from the water has suction while the one closest, does not. Is that normal? Also, I attached a picture of the skimmer holes above; is that normal?

I have also included a picture of what I think if the "vacuum hose" connection in the pool in a reply above. I think it's the hole right above where the swimming pool light is? It's where "Blue Haven" is labeled.

Thanks!!

Jim may have more input, but what is confusing me is that you only have 1 pipe leading to the suction side of your pump. However, you have a skimmer and a main drain, so we are just trying to figure out how both feed to the pump. Maybe take some more photos at a wider angle of your equipment from different angles.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Jenni,

Your main drain is plumbed into the skimmer hole that has no suction. This is quite normal. To make your main drain work, you would need a floating diverter valve. Since main drains are not really needed, I would just leave well enough alone.

The hole below the Blue Haven label is not for a suction side vacuum (the kind you plug into the skimmer), it is for a pressure side cleaner that does not need a booster pump.

The reason your 'waterfall' works when you turn the valve to shut off the cleaner is because you are sending more water into your filter.

Turn your valve like I have marked in the following pic and see if you don't get a lot of water out of your cleaner port.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[jennei]

Jenni,

Your main drain is plumbed into the skimmer hole that has no suction. This is quite normal. To make your main drain work, you would need a floating diverter valve. Since main drains are not really needed, I would just leave well enough alone.

The hole below the Blue Haven label is not for a suction side vacuum (the kind you plug into the skimmer), it is for a pressure side cleaner that does not need a booster pump.

The reason your 'waterfall' works when you turn the valve to shut off the cleaner is because you are sending more water into your filter.

Turn your valve like I have marked in the following pic and see if you don't get a lot of water out of your cleaner port.

Thanks,

Jim R.

View attachment 472194

Hi Jim,

Thanks for following up! When I turn the off downwards as you illustrated, the pump makes a large sound. Is that normal?

 

[jennei]

On the exit side of the pump, the pipe T's off to 2 directions. One is to the filter and the other is to the waterfall.
When the word OFF is facing a pipe, then that pipe is closed. When the word OFF is in the middle (not facing any pipe) then flow is going to both the filter and the waterfall.


Can you clarify the above. Where is the word OFF? It may be best to take 2 photos. One with the word OFF facing one direction and another when the word OFF is facing the opposite direction. Also, run the pump in both scenarios. What flows or doesn't flow?
It is really hard to tell what that hole is above the pool light. Since bubbles appear when you have the pump running, there is some use for it.

This brings up the other question. In your photo, there is a pipe that exits the filter and goes to a 3 way valve where there are 2 pipes leading back to the pool. These pipes go down into the rocks. Right now, that valve is open to both lines, meaning that flow is going to both. Have you tried turning that valve if anything changes? When the word OFF is facing a pipe, then that pipe is CLOSED. You can have the left closed with right open, the right closed with left open. or both can be open (as the picture shows)

Sorry for asking more questions but trying to understand your system so we can help you.

Hi Herman,

Don't apologize You've been a great help!
1. On the exit side of the pump, when the off is pointed upward such as in the first image, the waterfall activates.
2. On the exit side of the pump, when the off is pointed to the left such as in the second image, the hole where "Blue Haven" is written starts to bubble.

I have tried turning the valve near the rocks (where it exits the filter); it doesn't seem to change much.

 

[HermanTX]

Hi Herman,

Don't apologize You've been a great help!
1. On the exit side of the pump, when the off is pointed upward such as in the first image, the waterfall activates.
2. On the exit side of the pump, when the off is pointed to the left such as in the second image, the hole where "Blue Haven" is written starts to bubble.

I have tried turning the valve near the rocks (where it exits the filter); it doesn't seem to change much.

Thanks for the info. So lets address each one.
When the OFF is pointed upwards as in your 1st image, the flow to the cleaner (the port above the light in the pool -refer to comments by Jim) is closed and all flow is going through the filter. The reason you see flow to the waterfall is because that valve on the exit side of the filter is open to both pipes. Some going to the pool return and some going to the waterfall. We will come back to this

When the OFF is pointed to the left as in 2nd image, the flow is going both to the filter and to the cleaner port above the light. Since the flow is being split you are only getting some flow to each. If you would rotate the handle further to have the OFF pointing down, then you would have full flow to the cleaner port. It may not be needed if you do not have a cleaner but something for you to try. If for some reason that valve does not rotate to the downward position, then there may be a stop in it.
In the end - I would run the system with the OFF facing upwards as in photo 1 to put full flow through the filter.

Now on the exit side of the filter. That valve that is in the rocks. You should be able to turn that handle. Loosen the little nut on top of the handle and that should make it easier to turn the valve handle. With the inlet valve set as in photo 1 you will have full flow to the filter. By turning that valve (in the rocks) you should get either full flow to the pool returns or full flow to the waterfall. Right now both are getting flow but you want to determine which side is the waterfall and which is the pool return.
Hope this helps. Let us know what happens.

 

[Jimrahbe]

When I turn the off downwards as you illustrated, the pump makes a large sound. Is that normal?

Jennei,

What kind of sound? Does the water stop flowing?

Did you stick your hand in front of the pipe under the Blue Haven Logo and see if you can feel water flowing out?

The best thing to do would be to have someone feel the flow at the blue haven pipe while someone else slowly turns the valve. Keep in mind you never want the work off to pipe right at the pump as this will shut off all the water coming out of the pump.

In the bigger picture, since it sounds like you do not have a pressure side cleaner, you should just keep the cleaner line shut off. (Off pointed up toward the top of your pics..)

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[jennei]

Jennei,

What kind of sound? Does the water stop flowing?

Did you stick your hand in front of the pipe under the Blue Haven Logo and see if you can feel water flowing out?

The best thing to do would be to have someone feel the flow at the blue haven pipe while someone else slowly turns the valve. Keep in mind you never want the work off to pipe right at the pump as this will shut off all the water coming out of the pump.

In the bigger picture, since it sounds like you do not have a pressure side cleaner, you should just keep the cleaner line shut off. (Off pointed up toward the top of your pics..)

Thanks,

Jim R.

Hi Jim,

Thanks for all your help! The hole below the blue haven pools logo is indeed for a pressure side cleaner!

Many thanks,
Jennifer

 

[jennei]

Thanks for the info. So lets address each one.
When the OFF is pointed upwards as in your 1st image, the flow to the cleaner (the port above the light in the pool -refer to comments by Jim) is closed and all flow is going through the filter. The reason you see flow to the waterfall is because that valve on the exit side of the filter is open to both pipes. Some going to the pool return and some going to the waterfall. We will come back to this

When the OFF is pointed to the left as in 2nd image, the flow is going both to the filter and to the cleaner port above the light. Since the flow is being split you are only getting some flow to each. If you would rotate the handle further to have the OFF pointing down, then you would have full flow to the cleaner port. It may not be needed if you do not have a cleaner but something for you to try. If for some reason that valve does not rotate to the downward position, then there may be a stop in it.
In the end - I would run the system with the OFF facing upwards as in photo 1 to put full flow through the filter.

Now on the exit side of the filter. That valve that is in the rocks. You should be able to turn that handle. Loosen the little nut on top of the handle and that should make it easier to turn the valve handle. With the inlet valve set as in photo 1 you will have full flow to the filter. By turning that valve (in the rocks) you should get either full flow to the pool returns or full flow to the waterfall. Right now both are getting flow but you want to determine which side is the waterfall and which is the pool return.
Hope this helps. Let us know what happens.

Hi Herman,

This was all very helpful and I was able to figure out my pool's system ) Thanks again!!