Spa water level dropping

[JoeyBagODonuts]

Hi All,

Our spa water level is dropping to where the jets are. After reading similar threads here, I replaced the check valve circled in the first photo below, which didn't fix it. Thinking the next step is replace the check valve in the second and third photos. Does that sound right?

Someone commented on Amazon that they purchased this and swapped only the face and inner workings. Sounds easier. Any considerations?

Amazon.com

Thanks in advance for the advice, much appreciated.

Joey

 

[ajw22]

The other check valve has no connection to your spa.

Turn the valve circled in yellow 90 degrees clockwise as shown by the green line and see if the spa still leaks.

 

[JoeyBagODonuts]

Thanks Allen! I did what you suggested an our spa didn't lose water overnight. This diverter valve is a Pentair 263026.

Looking at Amazon, it seems I can get a new one for $52: Amazon.com

Or just the assembly for $44: Amazon.com

Or an aftermarket assembly for $18, however reviews are mixed: Amazon.com

Replacing the valve requires cutting and re-working PVC pipe right?

Can you also please tell me what I've changed by turning the valve 90 degrees clockwise? thanks

 

[ajw22]

Thanks Allen! I did what you suggested an our spa didn't lose water overnight. This diverter valve is a Pentair 263026.

Looking at Amazon, it seems I can get a new one for $52: Amazon.com

Or just the assembly for $44: Amazon.com

Or an aftermarket assembly for $18, however reviews are mixed: Amazon.com

Replacing the valve requires cutting and re-working PVC pipe right?

What valve are you thinking needs to be replaced?

Leave the diverter off and use the SPILLWAY mode on your IntelliCenter when you want to refresh the spa water.

Create a Feature Circuit with a Circuit Type of SPILLWAY.

Schedule the SPILLWAY twice a day to run for about 20 minutes.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Joey,

Allen's test proved that the check valve that you circled in red in your first pic is bad...

You say you replace it.. But I suspect you just replaced the flapper guts inside the valve.. The problem is that off-brand parts often don't fit well and will leak.

Tell us more about what you did to repair the 'red' check valve..

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[JoeyBagODonuts]

Hey Jim,

I replaced the flapper guts inside the check valve using the part below. The existing flapper looked really clean. It was about four years old. I don’t see any leaks around this check valve.

 

[JoeyBagODonuts]

My earlier post about closing the diverter valve resolving the issue was a bit hasty. The water level is still going down, slower than before. I have the diverter valve as follows, and haven’t moved it since yesterday.

 

[ajw22]

It does not look like the diverter is perfectly off and may be leaking a bit of water.

It may be the angle of the camera but the handle is not even between the screws. If the handle is not perfectly positioned there can be some leakage around the diverter flap.

 

[JoeyBagODonuts]

Here’s a better photo angle. The handle won’t go any further.

 

[ajw22]

I think the diverter valve just is not sealing 100%.

Run spillover mode and you will never see the water loss.

 

[JoeyBagODonuts]

I think the diverter valve just is not sealing 100%.

Run spillover mode and you will never see the water loss.

Are you suggesting I have spillover running all the time? I frequently turn on the spillover because I (perhaps naively) think this circulates the water through the filter and SWCG more, which keeps the water cleaner and chlorinated better. If it makes sense to run the spillover all the time, I'm good with that.

The last posting in this thread makes me think one of my diverter valves needs to be rebuilt. Spa leaks into pool, need advice

 

[ajw22]

Are you suggesting I have spillover running all the time?

No.

I frequently turn on the spillover because I (perhaps naively) think this circulates the water through the filter and SWCG more, which keeps the water cleaner and chlorinated better.

It does not. The water takes the same path through the filter and SWG in POOL mode or SPILLWAY mode.

What is the daily schedule to run your spillover?

The last posting in this thread makes me think one of my diverter valves needs to be rebuilt. Spa leaks into pool, need advice

You are trying to fix a non-problem.

The spa drains a bit back into the pool. Run the SPILLWAY two or three times a day and the spa water is put back to its normal level. Problem solved.

 

[JoeyBagODonuts]

I did a water leak test, my ledge water line was at 5.5", I put water in a five gallon bucket at the same level and turned off autofill. The next day, my ledge water line was an inch lower and water in my bucket was essentially unchanged.

Spillway was on when I took initial measurements and the next day measurement.

I think this indicates a leak, unless there's another good explanation.

 

[JoeyBagODonuts]

My spa light was leaking. The deck nearby settled about 1/2" which apparently caused the conduit behind the light to move. We packed the visible hole with mastic which seems to have worked.

There may still be a slight leak. How difficult is it to replace the niche and potentially reconnect the conduit behind it?