Good morning! I need some help on troubleshooting a return jet . I have 3 jets. Yesterday the jet in the shallow end stopped working . The jet in the deep end is very strong and the one nearest the skimmer has good flow. I've only owned the pool for 6 months initially I noticed the the jet nearest the skimmer had an ok flow and the other two were strong . Where do I start? Thanks
Return jet not returning water
- Thread starter knoball615
- Start date
- May 3, 2007
- 18,078
- Pool Size
- 20000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
Has the filter pressure changed at all? When was the last time you cleaned the filter?
Are there valves that control the flow to each return?
Are there valves that control the flow to each return?
- May 3, 2007
- 18,078
- Pool Size
- 20000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
Psi usually about 12 at 15 today . I do not have any shutoff valves that I am aware of . I have a seal replaced last week between and pump motor and pump basket . Could that related ?
The pump was still running when I did it. The eyeball is still off from this this morning . If I half my hand flat over it and press against the wall I can feel a faint flow
- May 3, 2007
- 18,078
- Pool Size
- 20000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
The filter pressure is unchanged . We did a deep sand cleaning about a month ago . I just checked everything I do not see a valve to turn off jets . Picture attached
- May 3, 2007
- 18,078
- Pool Size
- 20000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
If the filter pressure is unchanged, then the flow rate should also be unchanged. You can't have one without other. Is it just one of the three jets' that has changed. Are the other two stronger now?
Yes the other 2 jets are much stronger . When you refer to filter pressure are you referencing the gauge on top of the sand filter ? If so there is minimal change it is normally 12 around 15 now .
- May 3, 2007
- 18,078
- Pool Size
- 20000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
That is quite significant. It means there is almost 7' more head loss than normal which would indicate a blockage somewhere. If 2 of the lines have more flow rate than normal and one line has less flow rate than normal, then that line definitely has blockage somewhere in it and may not be near the eyeball which you tested earlier.
From your picture the return pipe splits in half, do you know if the third line is shared with any of the other two or is it the only return on one of the two return lines?
There are two jets on the skimmer side , the one in the shallow end furthest from the plumbing has no flow and 1 jet (very strong) across from skimmer. There is tubing that Ts off off the back side of the return pipe . I dont know which of the three ( the tubing or the split) are connected to which jet
With the eyeball still off block the other returns with your hands to see if it will push anything out.
Nothing came out but now when I place my hand over the non working jet I can feel a slight ripple . Didn't feel anything before
- May 3, 2007
- 18,078
- Pool Size
- 20000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
If you can plug the working returns, you might try to back flush the non-working return with a hose sealed with a wet rag. You will need to remove the tee after the SWG (using the unions) so the debris can flow out, assuming this works.
BTW, do know if flex was used underground? If so, this could be a case of a collapse pipe.
BTW, do know if flex was used underground? If so, this could be a case of a collapse pipe.
It may be a fluke or a blessing Or a combination of all your suggestions that I tried . I decided to clean the pump basket even though I didn't see anything in there but a couple of leaves. I le the water flow over the top for a minute or two . Then I put top back , turned on drain and skimmer. Before turning the pump on I decided to turn multi port to recirculate. I got a phone call and by the time I got back to the phone water was flowing form the jet . Turned back to filter and still flowing. Thanks everyone
Can someone explain what fixed the problem? Could something still be in the plumbing of the return line in question, but the object may have just changed positions [now w less surface area blocking the return line] and now allowing more water to flow?
To OP, is the flow to the return in question like it was before the problem occurred, or is it more or less?
Could this have been a possible "air-pocket" that is now gone? Also, I am not sure if the test of "blocking the 2 good returns while keeping the eye open on return in question" was ever performed? if so, this could dramatically change the pressure to the line in question.
Finally, I had a skimmer that stopped pulling near as hard as the other one [the other one was also closest to the equipment]. I ended up shoving a hose into the skimmer return pipe and cranking on the water...it fixed the problem almost instantly. The skimmer return line was starved of water when the weir door was locked upright. Maybe by allowing water flow, and air, when the OP opened the clear lid on the pump, it released an air block in the return line. Unless something got by the skimmer basket, and it's been operating for 6 months w no problem, I think the chances of something getting into the line to block it is remote, unless it was already there and just shifted for some reason.
Thanks for your feedback..tstex
To OP, is the flow to the return in question like it was before the problem occurred, or is it more or less?
Could this have been a possible "air-pocket" that is now gone? Also, I am not sure if the test of "blocking the 2 good returns while keeping the eye open on return in question" was ever performed? if so, this could dramatically change the pressure to the line in question.
Finally, I had a skimmer that stopped pulling near as hard as the other one [the other one was also closest to the equipment]. I ended up shoving a hose into the skimmer return pipe and cranking on the water...it fixed the problem almost instantly. The skimmer return line was starved of water when the weir door was locked upright. Maybe by allowing water flow, and air, when the OP opened the clear lid on the pump, it released an air block in the return line. Unless something got by the skimmer basket, and it's been operating for 6 months w no problem, I think the chances of something getting into the line to block it is remote, unless it was already there and just shifted for some reason.
Thanks for your feedback..tstex
- May 3, 2007
- 18,078
- Pool Size
- 20000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
More than likely, the obstruction has moved enough to allow flow through that pipe. However, it doesn't mean that it will do so forever. I suspect the problem will be back at some point.