Hi all. Thank you for all your guidance this far. This is my first season taking care of my own pool using the TFP method and my water chemistry has been perfect. While I’ve pretty much mastered testing, I am trying to learn as much as possible about all the other components to maintain my pool. I’m losing about an inch of water a day and trying to learn about the plumbing to trouble shoot. Pool company opened my pool last month. I honestly never even paid attention to these things in years past because I had weekly maintenance. All of these valves are in the close position. I thought they were on because they are parallel to the pipe but they are labeled open (right turn) close (left turn) Pool water is circulating, heating, and swg is maintaining chlorine. Is it likely the levers are just on upside down as long as they are parallel with the pipe? What is the function of the round black device on top? The gauge is broken.
Should these be closed?
- Thread starter jaxey14
- Start date
- Jun 24, 2021
- 17,204
- Pool Size
- 29000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
Your valves are open.
No idea on the round black device. Are there any numbers on it?
No idea on the round black device. Are there any numbers on it?
According to my research it seems to be an actuator for a pop up floor cleaning system. I didn’t even realize I had this. Wondering if it can be the source of my water loss.
- Jul 21, 2013
- 66,622
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
- Feb 6, 2015
- 7,973
- Pool Size
- 12300
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
That's an "interesting" way to plumb the water distribution valve to the infloor zones. Maybe for winterizing???
It appears that the water distribution valve can be removed at the unions on the valves - allowing the individual zones to be winterized.
Post a few more pictures from different angles of the entire equipment pad in the frame of each picture.
Also - in the bottom of the pool, are there popups that popup in different sections of the pool as the pump is running? Show some pics of them as well.
The water distribution valve is a Paramount unit - possibly a 3 port valve (one input and 3 output).
It appears that the water distribution valve can be removed at the unions on the valves - allowing the individual zones to be winterized.
Post a few more pictures from different angles of the entire equipment pad in the frame of each picture.
Also - in the bottom of the pool, are there popups that popup in different sections of the pool as the pump is running? Show some pics of them as well.
The water distribution valve is a Paramount unit - possibly a 3 port valve (one input and 3 output).
Thank you so very much for taking the time to help me figure this out. Attached are some photos of my equipment pad as well as the floor pop ups. I’m going to observe them today to see if they rotate. I thought they were just in floor returns as water does come back to the pool from them. Currently it looks like they are both open at the same time and one has more noticeable pressure that can be seen rippling the surface. I will get in the pool later today to check if the one closer to the deep end has any pressure at all. After a backwash cycle I do notice air purging from both. I had my liner changed last month and the company said they don’t make these anymore. I changed the rest of my returns, drain and skimmer to grey. These remained and they did not remove them during the install.
Attachments
I’m unable to add some of the photos due to file size. I’ve created a Google photo album. Hope that works. Thanks again. Pool equipment
- Feb 6, 2015
- 7,973
- Pool Size
- 12300
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
Turn HDR off on your phone to reduce the picture size and then upload to the forum.
So, it appears you have a 2 port water valve.
One port goes to a single zone and the other port goes to two zones.
Additionally, after the salt water generator there is a 'T' fitting. The upward lgf of that 'T' feeds the water valve (and the pop-ups) and the straight thru leg feeds what is possibly returns in the walls of the pool.
To get the best flow thru the pop-ups, you may have to throttle the flow thru the two valves that go to the wall returns. Likewise, to get the best flow out of the wall returns the IFCS valves may need to be throttled.
In the google pic showing the pool filling- itappears that the liner hasn't been cut for the pool light or for (what I'm guessing is) the return to the left of the pool light.
So, it appears you have a 2 port water valve.
One port goes to a single zone and the other port goes to two zones.
Additionally, after the salt water generator there is a 'T' fitting. The upward lgf of that 'T' feeds the water valve (and the pop-ups) and the straight thru leg feeds what is possibly returns in the walls of the pool.
To get the best flow thru the pop-ups, you may have to throttle the flow thru the two valves that go to the wall returns. Likewise, to get the best flow out of the wall returns the IFCS valves may need to be throttled.
In the google pic showing the pool filling- itappears that the liner hasn't been cut for the pool light or for (what I'm guessing is) the return to the left of the pool light.
I have 2 returns, a Polaris port and a pool light. There’s also 4 “jets” with the air control knobs on the stairs as well as on a love seat in the deep end. The air control knobs dont work and water comes out of them. When my liner was replaced the installers found an additional closed off return underneath. I found this valve box directly across from it and trying to figure it out. Photos attached. Thinking it could have been an autofill feature? I’m not sure why they abandoned it but would be great to get it working. I’m thinking the pool couldn’t pass inspection with it because it appears to possibly be hooked up to an irrigation line and it’s against code to fill a pool with non potable water.
Regarding the IFCs and returns, is it safe to mess around with the valves while the pump is running to close them off individually to identify and label what each controls? I’ve never touched them. Does the water distribution valve need to be serviced? This is my first year taking care of my own pool and as far as I know my previous pool maintenance company never maintained it.
Regarding the IFCs and returns, is it safe to mess around with the valves while the pump is running to close them off individually to identify and label what each controls? I’ve never touched them. Does the water distribution valve need to be serviced? This is my first year taking care of my own pool and as far as I know my previous pool maintenance company never maintained it.
