Water level dropping in spa mode

[JoshCochran01]

New construction. We have a separate spa that spills over into the pool. The pool and spa share a pump. There is an additional pump on the far right of the equipment pad which is a dedicated pump for a water feature.

In pool mode, the spa jet circled in red distributes water into the spa, which slowly spills over into the pool. None of the other spa jets seem to be active in pool mode.

In spa mode, the spa jet circled in blue starts to distribute water into the spa and the water level drops slightly to stop the spillover effect. Also, the spa jet circled in red switches from pushing water out to sucking water in. The water level in the spa drops slowly but it continually drops. It dropped to the level of the spa jets. I didn't let it go any further than that.

When returning to pool mode, the water level in the spa raises back to a normal level, and the spillover effect returns.

I have attached a picture of my equipment set up, and a picture of the spa jets circled in red and blue. Is it normal for one spa jet to switch between a return function and a suctioning function? Any ideas of what could be causing the water level to drop?

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Josh,

As a test, next time you are in the Spa mode, shut off the red ball valve above the check valve on the left of your pic.

If that stops the spa from draining down, it means the check valve is bad.

Let us know how that test works.

Note that I am assuming the water is draining down into your pool and not into the ground somewhere.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[JoshCochran01]

Thanks, Jim. I will try that tonight and let you know.

 

[JoshCochran01]

The attached picture shows how far I was able to turn the valves. I tried both just to see if the issue was present in both valves. I was only able to turn the valve handle that far with difficulty. Trying to turn it farther felt like I would snap the handle off.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Trying to turn it farther felt like I would snap the handle off.

Josh,

That is why we never, ever recommend using ball valve. Like anything, you almost always get what you pay for.

I just saw this was a new construction!!! Call the pool builder and tell them to come fix it.

You can open the check valve and insure nothing is inside and that it is clean. Make sure there is no glue on the check valve surface that can keep the valve from sealing.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[JoshCochran01]

Thanks so much, Jim. For what its worth, your original recommendation seems to have slowed the speed at which the water level drops significantly. It's still slowly dropping, but not nearly as bad.

Can the ball valves in my existing equipment be replaced with a better option? If so, what do you recommend?

 

[ajw22]

Can the ball valves in my existing equipment be replaced with a better option? If so, what do you recommend?

All of your ball valves should be replaced by diverter valves...

 

[Jimrahbe]

Josh,

Some pool builders use ball valves because they are cheap. The problem is that they are cheap. Jandy diverter valves are $50 or $60 bucks each so with a markup they would have added about $400 or so to your build.

Jandy valves last almost forever and can be rebuilt if needed.

Keep in mind the ball valve is not causing the leak, it is the check valve below it.

Thanks,

Jim R.