I have three valves Shallow Skimmer (SS), Deep Skimmer (DS), and Main Drain (MD).
Started getting a lot of air when attaching my vacuum head and closing the other two valves. So I put the vacuum head on three sections of my automatic cleaner on the SS. While air bubbles were present, I ran water over the Basket Drain Plug and then the Basket Lid - air still present. I then ran water over all of the suction side valves and joints air still present.
With the Vacuum Head on the SS (only 3 sections of hose from my automatic cleaner)
When all valves are open - no air in basket
Close only the DS valve - no air in basket
Close only the MD valve - I get a fair amount of air but do not lose prime
Close MD and DS valves - same as above, some air but don't lose prime
Moved Vacuum Head to DS
When all valves are open - no air inbasket
Close only the SS valve - no air in basket
Close only the MD valve - no air in basket
Close MD and SS valves - I get a fair amount of air (not quite as much as when on the SS) but do not lose prime - air goes away after I open the SS valve
Observations
I only get air when the vacuum head is on
I only get air when the MD valve is closed
Air problem is worse when Vacuum head is on SS
Questions
Why would closing the MD valve cause problems?
Do I likely have leaks in one or both of my suction lines?
How do I locate a leak under ground?
Is there a make-shift device or phone app that might help me find an underground leak?
Note - several years ago Fire Ants had eaten holes in my DS line. I was able to easily find the leak because I could hear where the leak was. That was fixed with a section of soft pvc and has not been a problem since. But that line is less of a problem if a problem at all.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Started getting a lot of air when attaching my vacuum head and closing the other two valves. So I put the vacuum head on three sections of my automatic cleaner on the SS. While air bubbles were present, I ran water over the Basket Drain Plug and then the Basket Lid - air still present. I then ran water over all of the suction side valves and joints air still present.
With the Vacuum Head on the SS (only 3 sections of hose from my automatic cleaner)
When all valves are open - no air in basket
Close only the DS valve - no air in basket
Close only the MD valve - I get a fair amount of air but do not lose prime
Close MD and DS valves - same as above, some air but don't lose prime
Moved Vacuum Head to DS
When all valves are open - no air inbasket
Close only the SS valve - no air in basket
Close only the MD valve - no air in basket
Close MD and SS valves - I get a fair amount of air (not quite as much as when on the SS) but do not lose prime - air goes away after I open the SS valve
Observations
I only get air when the vacuum head is on
I only get air when the MD valve is closed
Air problem is worse when Vacuum head is on SS
Questions
Why would closing the MD valve cause problems?
Do I likely have leaks in one or both of my suction lines?
How do I locate a leak under ground?
Is there a make-shift device or phone app that might help me find an underground leak?
Note - several years ago Fire Ants had eaten holes in my DS line. I was able to easily find the leak because I could hear where the leak was. That was fixed with a section of soft pvc and has not been a problem since. But that line is less of a problem if a problem at all.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!