What is this part of my pool equipment?

[PSTMD]

I've searched the internet and can't find a reference or picture of an equipment setup with this high loop. It only seems to have air in it when the pump is running. Spa is not used and dry.

Do I need to keep this loop or can I cap it at ground level?

- 40+ year old inground plaster pool and spa.
- Pentair/Sta-Rite 1 hp SS main pump and 1 hp booster pump for pressure-side cleaner
- Hayward Cartridge filter

Thanks, Philip

 

[ajw22]

Look like a Hartford look for your spa air intake.

Show us all your pool equipment.

 

[PSTMD]

Not much more to it than was shown in the original picture but here you go. This is everything.

 

[ajw22]

Where is your pool water level in relation to your equipment pad level?

 

[PSTMD]

Basically level. ie, decking is level with the pad. Water is about 3-4" below decking

 

[ajw22]

Without knowing where the pipes were going to I would not touch that loop.

 

[PSTMD]

Does a Hartford loop have a use for a regular pool or just a spa?

 

[ajw22]

Your spa air line is my guess.

My WAG is they had a problem with water backing up in the spa air line that you see coming out of the ground. A Hartford Loop should have been built into the spa wall but they didn't. So someone created this big loop that creates an air gap higher then the water line. I would not be surprised if it connects to the air pipe next to it.

Basically it is a hack for some pool or spa problem they had.

 

[PSTMD]

Got it. Thank you for your insight.