Trouble with Infiniti Spa (leak)

[mojo1980]

All-

First my calcium has been constant for 3-4 weeks 270. I am not loosing water from a pipe.

My spa looses 15gallons per 8 hours. I used a hose with water counter to fill back up.

I did dye test all returns and suction in my spa nothing looks wrong.

When pump isn't on, my spa goes down like 2 tiles over night.

The checkvalve has air bubbles in it but seems to be working. What does air bubbles mean?

If a pipe was cracked I would loose calcium 900gallons in 2 weeks. Im guessing the leak here is a valve not closing from actuator.

 

[mas985]

The check valve is probably leaking allowing water past the valve. It is supposed to stop the spa from draining.

As for the air bubbles, that could be a leak in the o-ring or it could just be air coming out of solution. Are the bubbles tiny?

 

[mojo1980]

The are big bubbles, but there is a double check valve so its not getting by twice. Im worried an actualator isn't shutting right when the pump isn't working

 

[mas985]

Maybe you can post a picture of the plumbing setup at the pad?

If plumbed properly, the check valves alone should stop the flow and should not be reliant on the 3-way valve to prevent draining. So it shouldn't matter if the spa valve leaks.

 

[mojo1980]

Maybe you can post a picture of the plumbing setup at the pad?

If plumbed properly, the check valves alone should stop the flow and should not be reliant on the 3-way valve to prevent draining. So it shouldn't matter if the spa valve leaks.

very good ideal I will do that later today sir

 

[mojo1980]

The check valve is probably leaking allowing water past the valve. It is supposed to stop the spa from draining.

As for the air bubbles, that could be a leak in the o-ring or it could just be air coming out of solution. Are the bubbles tiny?

Here is the picture. We don't need a double check valve on spa but it's there. Thanks

iCloud Link to picture click here.

 

[mas985]

I can't really see the critical plumbing to the left. The chlorinator is in the way.

But does the spa leak if left in spa mode or only when placed back into pool mode? How about spillover mode?

BTW, are those swept 90s DWV ABS fittings?

 

[mojo1980]

On spillover mode its impossible to tell since there is water that goes into the spa.

I will leave tonight in spa mode to provide an accurate summation.

What an DWV ABS fitting? Not sure who makes that. However, we are looking to implement a 3 way Jandy to provide variable air flow to jets.

 

[mas985]

On spillover mode its impossible to tell since there is water that goes into the spa.

I meant the valves in spillover mode but pump off. If the valves don't stay that way when the pump is off, then it is a moot question.

3-way valves when new will generally stop all flow but when they age, they can leak a little bit. If the spa suction valve is leaking a little, the spa will drain. Those valves are serviceable and you can replace the innards.

What an DWV ABS fitting?

They are used for drain pipe and not suitable for pressure applications like pool plumbing. They will usually have DWV stamped on the side. Many PBs will use DWV swept 90s when they really shouldn't. They are not as strong as sch 40 PVC 90s.

 

[mojo1980]

I ran it in spa mode all night it was similar, but looks to be more than standstill.

 

[mas985]

So just to confirm, the valves were in spa mode and the pump was off?

What do you mean by standstill?

When the water level drops in the spa, does the water level stop at pool level or go below the pool level?

If the spa water level goes below the pool water level, that is likely an external leak.

 

[mojo1980]

No the spa was in spa mode running pump at 3450 rpm but it was closed to spa only. This test showed similar to slightly more water loss then leaving it in standstill meaning pump off.

It’s a raised spa perhaps 18” the water hasn’t depleted to below pool that would take awhile. I can set the level to slightly higher later to test.

Thanks, pretty sure it’s hairline fracture in jets from jack hammering in cold. They overshot by 1-2’ and jack hammered.

I’m not sure when there leak detector showed me readings he only waited a few seconds on blow tests not several minutes. Ugh lessons learned

 

[mas985]

It still may not be an external leak. With the pump on, it creates positive pressure on the return plumbing so things are more likely to leak. If the drop in level is more than with the pump off, it is likely on the return side of the pump. Possibly the 3-way valve but the check valves should stop the flow with the pump off so that part I am not sure about. It could be that both valves (suction and return) are not sealing properly.

One check you could try is to open the pump basket and let all the water drain out of the pad plumbing (i.e. break the internal siphon). Let the spa sit overnight and see if you get a water level drop. If you do, then it is an external leak.

 

[mojo1980]

I’ll do this next

 

[mojo1980]

Thanks so much again!

 

[mojo1980]

I let this sit for 2 hours it def is still loosing water so I have a cracked pipe in spa or underground?

 

[mas985]

The above ground plumbing was drained right? If so, then I am afraid that there is an external leak somewhere.

 

[mojo1980]

I tried draining half the tub to two tiles above jets and it stays, however when its high it drains I believe the issue is on top 2" PVC ring around the spa.

 

[mas985]

It could also be in the air line. Do you know if they used a Hartford loop in the air line?

 

[mojo1980]

Take a look at these