HELP! Plumbing explanation needed!

[Daisydrew]

I’m at a loss and thought this would be the best place to find help. Our plumbing used to be labeled so we knew what each valve did, but that has faded a long time ago and I’m not sure what operates what.

The problem I am having is that the two returns on the far side of the pool are not pushing water. The two on the near side (closest to equipment) are pushing water.

We have a valve for waterfalls and fountain for the spa, and return jets in the pool.

Can someone help me identify and relabel my equipment/valves, and help me figure out how they should be set??? Tell me like I’m a kindergartener!

 

[ajw22]

Welcome to TFP.

Do you have a spa?

 

[Texas Splash]

Welcome to TFP! Pic one is your suction side that controls where water gets pulled "from". It may be two skimmers, a skimmer & drain, or a spa & skimmer if you have one. Just depends. The second pic is where water returns. The valve on the far left is currently closed. The other three are open. Maybe the illustrations below will help you. Pool Care Basics

 

[HermanTX]

The first picture is the suction side.
That setup appears to be as follows
The left pipe is suction from the spa drain - confirm that you have a spa
The right pipe splits into 2 suctions - one from the skimmer(s) and 1 from main drain - confirm if you have 2 skimmers only, or 1 skimmer with a main pool drain, or 2 skimmers with a main pool drain
Right now the left side is CLOSED (note the word OFF) on the left of the valve handle)
So you are drawing water from the pool - and it shows to be drawing 50/50 from each of the 2 pipes (i.e. drain and skimmer)

The second picture is return side
The left side is return to the spa jets - confirm that you have a spa
The right side has 3 pipes - waterfall, fountain and pool return
Right now the left side is CLOSED - so all flow is going to the right side
All 3 valves are open on the right so flow is going to all 3 - the waterfall, fountain and pool return

In order to know which one controls what - turn off 2 and leave one open - see what is flowing
Then open another and close off the one that open and see what flows
Then finally open the 3rd and close off the other 2

Always leave one valve open

with all 3 valve open, you may not have sufficient flow to push water out of your pool returns
with the pool return OPEN only and the other 2 closes - check to see if all return outlets are flowing

 

[Daisydrew]

Ok so helpful already!

Yes, we have a spa. We also have two skimmers and a main drain.

So if I’m trying to get the pool to pump water through all the returns (4 total in our pool, 2 aren’t pushing water currently), then I should turn all returns to off EXCEPT pool?

I basically want water to flow and move debris to the skimmers, but water appears pretty still because half of the returns don’t appear to be working.

 

[ajw22]

If your valves are in pool mode in your pictures then I can deduce the labels on the pic below.

The pipes labeled 1 & 2 on the suction side and A, B, C on the return side we can't say.

You need to turn the valves one at time for each pipe and see what changes and then mark it accordingly.

I don't think any of these valve settings are causing your return problems. But you should determine which valve for A, B or C turns off your waterfalls and fountain and then see if your return flow improves.

My guess is B & C go to your waterfall and fountain. Turn each of those valves 45 degrees right or left and see if water flow stops.

 

[Daisydrew]

Thank for for the labels! I’ve figured out that (A)is the pool returns, (B) is the fountain in spa, and (C) is waterfalls.

I’ve turned the returns so only (A) is on, and still flows thru only 2 returns. Any idea why the other 2 aren’t flowing??

 

[HermanTX]

Ok so helpful already!

Yes, we have a spa. We also have two skimmers and a main drain.

So if I’m trying to get the pool to pump water through all the returns (4 total in our pool, 2 aren’t pushing water currently), then I should turn all returns to off EXCEPT pool?

I basically want water to flow and move debris to the skimmers, but water appears pretty still because half of the returns don’t appear to be working.

So on the suction side - one of the pipes is for the main drain and the other for the skimmers. The 2 skimmers are probably tied into 1 line. That is exactly how my suction is set up.

 

[HermanTX]

’ve turned the returns so only (A) is on, and still flows thru only 2 returns. Any idea why the other 2 aren’t flowing??

Did they flow before - like a month ago? Just want to confirm if this is a recent issue or has been like this for a while.

Do you have a VS pump - what speed is it at?

 

[Jimrahbe]

Daisy,

How is the flow out of the two working returns? Is it strong or weak?

What is your filter pressure?

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Noreaster]

Can we get a picture of your complete pad area? Heater and all.

 

[Daisydrew]

Heater is inoperable, had it disconnected (not removed yet) several years ago.

Flow out of the other two returns is ok, but it’s been stronger in the past. I also have the pump set to max rpm’s.

I did undo the filter, as the pressure was just at the clean filter line. Are these beyond cleaning…ie is it time for new ones, or do they just need a good spray down?? Thinking this may be the problem.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Daisy,

You can still clean them..

Looks like algae to me. Is your water green or cloudy?

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[ajw22]

You should do a Overnight Chlorine Loss Test.

What test kit do you use?

For reference by the thread...

 

[Daisydrew]

I use the TF-100 kit. Very familiar with SLAM process thanks to this site!

Looks like filter was the problem. Just spent 2 hours thoroughly cleaning them and returns are pumping now!

Thank you all for your help, especially with labeling the plumbing, which was a major issue!

 

[ajw22]

Don't declare victory until you see that you pass the Overnight Chlorine Loss Test

 

[ajw22]

Thank you all for your help, especially with labeling the plumbing, which was a major issue!

Get a label maker or a Sharpie and label each pipe.

 

[HermanTX]

I use the TF-100 kit. Very familiar with SLAM process thanks to this site!

Looks like filter was the problem. Just spent 2 hours thoroughly cleaning them and returns are pumping now!

Thank you all for your help, especially with labeling the plumbing, which was a major issue!

Don't forget to label the suction side.
The 2 pipes on the pool suction are main drain and skimmer. You need to turn the valve at 90 degrees and see which one is the skimmer as you should see the flow of water going into the skimmer.
Then I would set the valve that the skimmer is 80% open and main drain is 20% open - this provides more skimmer inflow yet allows the main drain to still have flow through it.
So the picture shown earlier shows the valve handle pointing straight up which provides 50/50 suction.
You can rotate it to a 45 deg angle to create a estimated 80/20 suction. It either will be 45 to the left or 45 to the right depending on which pipe is skimmer suction. This is only needed if you want more skimming action.