No Air being jetted
#1
No Air being jetted
A second home I bought has an in-ground heated pool and spa. Everything was working fine until I had a pool company replace a “cracked” pump housing. Now when the spa is turned on there is no air being jetted into the spa. This system is very simple (I think) – with one pump, filter, & heater and only 2 valves, one controlling the suction (from pool or spa) and one controlling the direction of flow of water to either the pool or spa thru the heater. For the spa there is a 2” diameter x 18” high standpipe with a 180 degree end on it (presumably so no dirt etc can enter) coming up out of the ground between the pump and the spa. Normally, when the spa is selected and the pump started you can hear the air bubbling in the standpipe while the air and water is jetted in the spa using a nozzle / venture system – not now. Now only water is jetted into the spa without any air! Water was also coming out of the stand pipe! I lowered the water to below the jets, removed the jets, and flushed the lines by running the pump for several minutes to see if the lines were plugged with scale or debris with the same results as before. I also forced air through the air line (through the standpipe) with a compressor to make sure it was also not plugged up – same results. I called the company who replaced the pump housing and a rep came out and said that the water had got to high (same as it has always been for the last year) and filled up the separate air line that goes around the spa. Than he said to do all the things I had already done. So I did it all one more time and still have a spa with out air that pushes water out the standpipe! I know I can add a 1 hp blower (air pump) to the system, but I would like to find out why it has worked for the time I have owned the place (3 years) and will not work now! So does anyone have any suggestions?
#2
Group Moderator
The same thing can happen if the jets in the hot tub are restricted. They don't have to be clogged but just restricted enough to increase the pressure so the venturi does not work. A piece of something may have gotten into the pipes when they replaced the pump.
I know you removed the jets, lowered the spa water level and ran the pump. Is it possible something is caught at a bend in a line or where a hose attaches to your standpipe?
It sounds like you know what you are doing. I'd just spend more time checking the water pipes.
I know you removed the jets, lowered the spa water level and ran the pump. Is it possible something is caught at a bend in a line or where a hose attaches to your standpipe?
It sounds like you know what you are doing. I'd just spend more time checking the water pipes.
#3
No Air being jetted
Pilot Dane – thanks for response. Yes it’s possible - I’m just now sure if there is a blockage, if I can do anything more to remove it. The only other thing I can think of at this point (as the system worked fine before the pump housing was changed) is the pump is putting out a lower volume of water then it was before! Of course the people who changed it for me claim that isn’t so. Again thanks for your thoughts – in the end I’ll probably install an air blower / pump.
#4
Get a bigger hammer!
Hi!
I have a question that may seem counter productive... but be patient with me for a minute.
Ever drink a soda through a cracked straw??? Bubbles right?
If the pump housing was cracked in the right place it would suck air when on and this COULD have been there the entire time you owned the house, and you just thought it was normal... until it got fixed and like getting a new straw, you have no bubbles being sucked into the system pipes.
This injected air WILL increase the percieved pressure at the tub jets, and therefore when fixed the pressure will decrease.
This is probably the answer to the thing, but I doubt it.
If you have noticed a restiction in flow, AND the air intake is now a water exit... You have a blockage downstream of the air intake line, and the pumped water is backing up and out... this is a MAJOR repair job because it requires excavation, and is an issue for civil court action... IF they refuse to fix it or pay to have it fixed, AND if you care to pursue it.
Causes??? During the repair, something was left in the line and it got washed down to the nearest restriction point and there it lodged...
OR
When the crack was fixed, it allowed water to flow in such a way as to break loose mineral deposites inside the system which have clogged a fitting or something somewhere.
Doubtful, but honestly possible.
Test - is pressure even at ALL jets, or is it restricted at only one or on only one side of the tub?
If jets are uneven, this both confirms debris and helps isolate its location.
I would suggest talking to an attorney.
Then contact the original company and explain that you are going to have the problem fixed.
They have a choice. They can come out and excavate and open the lines and fix the problem or someone else can.
If you find that there is debris in the line, specifically debris from the repair such as plastic pieces of the old pump housing, you will be sending them the bill, including restoration of all landscaping.
If they choose NOT to reimburse your expenses you will sue them.
Then follow through. Do not be belligerant, or allow them to bully you around. Just hang up on them if they "get ignorant" with you on the phone.
Above all, stand and watch every move when whomever actually opens the pipes. You want to see the debris for yourself before it can be removed and they can claim there was never anything there to begin with, or if it turns out to be scale or some other "natural" item.
If the pipes are clean, call up and share the good news, and if things got nasty earlier, appologize for questioning their integrity... for YOUR reputation's sake, and because it is the right thing to do. Also, send a thankyou card later and mention how you will recommend them to everyone you know... lay it on thick, but mean it.
Rememeber, how you would feel if you were in their shoes... especially if they turn out to be innocent in the end.
It's the old "Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you."
Good luck.
I have a question that may seem counter productive... but be patient with me for a minute.
Ever drink a soda through a cracked straw??? Bubbles right?
If the pump housing was cracked in the right place it would suck air when on and this COULD have been there the entire time you owned the house, and you just thought it was normal... until it got fixed and like getting a new straw, you have no bubbles being sucked into the system pipes.
This injected air WILL increase the percieved pressure at the tub jets, and therefore when fixed the pressure will decrease.
This is probably the answer to the thing, but I doubt it.
If you have noticed a restiction in flow, AND the air intake is now a water exit... You have a blockage downstream of the air intake line, and the pumped water is backing up and out... this is a MAJOR repair job because it requires excavation, and is an issue for civil court action... IF they refuse to fix it or pay to have it fixed, AND if you care to pursue it.
Causes??? During the repair, something was left in the line and it got washed down to the nearest restriction point and there it lodged...
OR
When the crack was fixed, it allowed water to flow in such a way as to break loose mineral deposites inside the system which have clogged a fitting or something somewhere.
Doubtful, but honestly possible.
Test - is pressure even at ALL jets, or is it restricted at only one or on only one side of the tub?
If jets are uneven, this both confirms debris and helps isolate its location.
I would suggest talking to an attorney.
Then contact the original company and explain that you are going to have the problem fixed.
They have a choice. They can come out and excavate and open the lines and fix the problem or someone else can.
If you find that there is debris in the line, specifically debris from the repair such as plastic pieces of the old pump housing, you will be sending them the bill, including restoration of all landscaping.
If they choose NOT to reimburse your expenses you will sue them.
Then follow through. Do not be belligerant, or allow them to bully you around. Just hang up on them if they "get ignorant" with you on the phone.
Above all, stand and watch every move when whomever actually opens the pipes. You want to see the debris for yourself before it can be removed and they can claim there was never anything there to begin with, or if it turns out to be scale or some other "natural" item.
If the pipes are clean, call up and share the good news, and if things got nasty earlier, appologize for questioning their integrity... for YOUR reputation's sake, and because it is the right thing to do. Also, send a thankyou card later and mention how you will recommend them to everyone you know... lay it on thick, but mean it.
Rememeber, how you would feel if you were in their shoes... especially if they turn out to be innocent in the end.
It's the old "Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you."
Good luck.