Water level in spa is low in the mornings?

[sirsharkalot]

Hello, first time pool owner here (came with a house we just moved into) and have been learning as much as I can from the great people in this forum! Already ordered a TF-PRO kit to start practicing some chemistry.

Attached is an overall picture of the pool, showing the attached spa. It overflows into the main pool. In the mornings the water level in the spa is low, about 1' below the overflow level. It won't let me attach more than one picture, so here is a link: Pool, spa morning level 12-18-24.jpeg

When the pump is running (using the default Pentair VST schedule) the spa level is normal. Water level in the main pool is about 1/3 up the skimmer.

Can anyone explain why the water level is low when the pump isn't running? Where is the water going? I hope it's not a leak.

Here are some more pictures that may help:

Pool plumbing, labelled: Pool plumbing, labelled, resized.jpeg
Check valve 1: Pool, check valve 1, resized.jpeg
Check valve 2 and Valve 2: Pool, check valve 2, resized.jpeg
Valve 1: Pool, return valve 1, resized.jpeg
Valve 3 and 4: Pool, valve 3, resized.jpeg

 

[ajw22]

Welcome to TFP.

You have a common problem with the spa siphoning back into the pool, equalizing the water level when the pump is off. You do not have a leak. No damage is done by the spa siphoning down when the pump is off and then refilling when the pump begins running.

It can siphon through your spa jet pipe or makeup spillover pipe. You have a check valve in both lines, but check valves wear out, fail, and leak.

I would replace both check valve flappers.

Also, the valve on your spa spillover line does not look centered and fully blocks the water flow. Adjust the valve handle so it aligns with the pipe and the OFF label is between the two screws.

What automation system do you have?

Please resize your pictures and post them to this thread. Read Picture Posting and Resizing - Further Reading

 

[sirsharkalot]

Thank you for the quick response!

> replace both check valve flappers

Will add this to my to-do list

> valve on your spa spillover line does not look centered and fully blocks the water flow

Just to be clear, the valve handle should be fully horizontal? I have moved it so it is fully horizontal now, with the handle point right (to the rubbed off label that starts with "POOL") and the OFF label to the left, pointing to the label that starts with "SPA FA....". (Sorry if I'm being obtuse, still learning the lingo, not sure what these labels used to read).

Edit: With the valve in this position, the spa water no longer circulates

> What automation system do you have?

Pentair Easytouch PL4/PSL4 Control System

> Please resize your pictures

All the pictures. are 1.2MB to 1.7MB jpgs, so not sure why image uploading isn't working for me

 

[ajw22]

> valve on your spa spillover line does not look centered and fully blocks the water flow

Just to be clear, the valve handle should be fully horizontal? I have moved it so it is fully horizontal now, with the handle point right (to the rubbed off label that starts with "POOL") and the OFF label to the left, pointing to the label that starts with "SPA FA....". (Sorry if I'm being obtuse, still learning the lingo, not sure what these labels used to read).

Edit: With the valve in this position, the spa water no longer circulates

Okay, I was not sure how your system was set up. You need the valve to be open a bit to keep your spa water refreshed.

The valve can let you try and figure out which check valve may be bad.

One night before the pump shuts off, close that valve so the spillover stops. Then see if the spa drains down overnight.

If the spa does not drain down, the check valve next to the valve is the problem.

Open the valve in the morning to let your spillover run during the day.

Let us know what happens.

> What automation system do you have?

Pentair Easytouch PL4/PSL4 Control System

The EasyTouch has a SPILLOVER mode that you can schedule so that you do not need to run the spillover all day. The problem is your Lite system only allows four schedules.

You can read more about your Lite system and SPILLOVER mode in Pentair Automation Systems - Further Reading

> Please resize your pictures

All the pictures. are 1.2MB to 1.7MB jpgs, so not sure why image uploading isn't working for me

Maybe @Leebo can help.

 

[sirsharkalot]

Okay, I was not sure how your system was set up. You need the valve to be open a bit to keep your spa water refreshed.

The valve can let you try and figure out which check valve may be bad.

One night before the pump shuts off, close that valve so the spillover stops. Then see if the spa drains down overnight.

If the spa does not drain down, the check valve next to the valve is the problem.

Open the valve in the morning to let your spillover run during the day.

Let us know what happens.

With the valve closed overnight, the spa drained a little bit. It is about 1" below the spillover, but nothing like before with the valve partially open.



So this tells us that the check valve next to the valve is bad? And as you suggested, I should start with replacing the flapper on it?

 

[ajw22]

With the valve closed overnight, the spa drained a little bit. It is about 1" below the spillover, but nothing like before with the valve partially open.

That looks like a normal water level if the water stabilizes there.

You may also have a small leak in some grout lines at that water level.

So this tells us that the check valve next to the valve is bad? And as you suggested, I should start with replacing the flapper on it?

Yup.

Identify if the check valve is Jandy or Pentair and get the correct part.

 

[sirsharkalot]

Thank you for all your help!

 

[ajw22]

Glad we can help.

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