Return line shooting bubbles when starting up

[penquinizer]

Hi all,

My return line recently started shooting bubbles when the pump first turns on for a few seconds and then stops. This happens every time we start up the pump. The water level is definitely sufficient as it stops shooting bubbles once it gets going. There is also no air bubble in the pump.

Any ideas?

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

You have a leak, likely on the pressure side. Try running the pump and carefully check for water leaks. If none, turn off the pump and listen carefully for air leaks. As water leaves the system it will suck in air. Check carefully around the filter, especially the air relief valve. Also check the pump lid and clean/lube the o-ring.

If you can't find anything, you may need to list your equipment and post some photos.

 

[Jimrahbe]

shooting bubbles when the pump first turns on for a few seconds and then stops.

Pen,

That almost always means that the water in your filter and pump is draining back into the pool when you shut the pump off.

It could be a leak anywhere in the system. In most cases an air leak on the pressure side will also have a water leak, but that is not true 100% of the time. A good example is the filter air vent valve. I have seen a couple of cases where the valve would let air in, but not let water out. You can actually hear it, or feel it by putting your finger over the vent output..

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[penquinizer]

Would a leak in the pool surface cause that? I've patched it up already and water level still drops about half an inch or so over night in Dallas, TX right now. We have a small pool. About 7-8000 gallons.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Would a leak in the pool surface cause that?

Pen,

I can't see how...

A leak in plaster is not going to cause any pump issues..

A leak in the skimmer line, could cause the pool to lose water, and it could cause the pump to drain back into your pool.

Plaster leaks, are not too common.

When the pool season ends, you can let the water leak down until it stops. It will stop as the point of the leak. This would normally be just below the ....

1. Skimmer
2. Pool Return eyeballs
3. Pool Light
4. Main drain.

Most gunite pools do not leak anywhere else.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[penquinizer]

Gotcha! One interesting thing is that all three areas of my pool seem to leak together.

The spa and the pool dropping in level together makes sense in my head since the return jets all connect to one return pipe.

However, our fountain is on a separate line that I can turn on and off. It seems to also drop in level with the pool. Note our fountain is a small 3x3 pool area with a run off into the pool. It seems to be dropping at the same rate as our pool and spa.

 

[penquinizer]

Updating:

Waiting to see if the leak detection company will come out to recheck the return lines.

I don't see a large amount of bubbles come through on the pump window so I am assuming it is somewhere in the return line.

Doesn't seem to be affected by the chlorinator since it shoots bubbles with it off and on.