Why are there Air Bubbles in my Pool? A Troubleshooting Guide
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- Опубліковано 4 жов 2024
- Do you have air bubbles shooting into your pool through your return jets? In this video Jason Hughes, pool contractor and author of popular ebook "6 Steps to Pool and Patio Success", briefly discusses how pool pumps work and the three most common causes of this problem and how to correct them. For more information about inground pools visit www.PoolSchool.us and www.riverpoolsandspas.com
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I know you posted this 11 years ago, but dude, this was hands down the best instructional/troubleshooting pool video I've ever seen! I did what you said, and bam! Problem solved.
you're 100% correct on the issue!
thanks!
Thank you..I was trying to figure out why my pump wasn't priming. After I watched the video I look at the pipe connection and behold! On the ground I see the rubber gasket .didn't noticed when it fell off..thanks again
🤣
Thanks a million Jason,
We had the same problem. the local pool supply company ( Club Piscine)said that we had to change our sand for $ 200 odd dollars.They couldn't undo the filter.They suggested we buy a new filter.Then I found your video. We changed the O-ring on the filter and checked the O-ring at the union. . Using a ratchet I tightened all the clamps on the suction side and it fixed the air problem. I also saved hundreds of dollars. Thanks again.
Stewart
WOW! just wanted to give a big THANK YOU! We are first time home owners, and bought a house with a pool that had been unused for 2-3 years. SO MANY things to learn, and was very frustrated with not getting enough suction. Being deathly afraid to break anything I avoided disassembling the suction valves, but your video gave me the confidence to open them up and find a piece of plastic wedged in the o-ring causing air bubbles. Removed it, and I HAVE SUCTION AGAIN! Thanks so much :)
Thanks Jason- Fixed my issue because of you. Good job explaining it, and then going over it again one last time to wrap it up. That is how instructions are suppose to be done. Half the time the vids online are too long, or too much detail is given with poor overview. You seriously kept a good job of not only keeping it simple, but giving strong explanation. Appreciate it!
I know this is a necro commenting on an old video, but as a new pool owner your video was great. My lid was on tight, but the gasket was old and when I touched it I had black on my hands as if I had just had a magic marker leak on them. I could see areas on the gasket that were flat instead of being round. I bought a new gasket and no more air bubbles! Easy to follow explanation. Thanks for posting.
Hold your head up high Jason ! Thank you for taking the time to put the video together and You Tube it for all to see..
Only 7 thumbs up in 1 year? C'mon folks! This guy did this for free .. for us!
I replaced the pump yesterday and now I’m having this problem. Thank you for the information 🙏🏻
This video was very well done. I cannot say enough good things about the way you explained it and videographer it. Wish there were more how-to's like your on UA-cam. Excellent!
This was SO incredibly helpful. I've watched a lot of UA-cam videos trying to troubleshoot this problem and this was by far the most helpful and informative. I feel totally empowered to solve the problem now. Thank you!
Very informative minus one thing else to consider that I just experienced. In Jason's video you can see there is a 3-way valve on the suction side of the pump where the skimmer and main come together prior to the pump. Typically (as is with mine) it is a PENTAIR 263028 3-way diverter valve. Inside that valve there are three o-rings. One of these can be missing, torn or worn and will allow air into the system stopping the pump from priming let a lone operate normally cycling water through the filter. I bought an o-ring kit for my valve on AMAZON for $7.53. I can use a tool without harm to myself so I made the simple o-ring replacement myself. If you decide to DIY, then be aware of the valve position when you disassemble it and use proper o-ring lubrication. Otherwise the o-ring will just deteriorate and you will be back at square one.
Professionally and accurately explained. Well done
I've had an air leak in my pool for about 2 weeks. This video finally got me out of my chair to see what I could do about it. Well, this is what I found. A while back, I changed Jandy valves from the kind you grease to the kind you don't. But on the casing, of course, grease caps are still there. A long time ago, one of these caps broke off in my hand, but never experienced any problems associated with this scenario. But now this leak has raised it's ugly head, So I tried one of the tricks someone mentioned to help find this air leak by quickly turning the pump off and back on again. So with my eyes squarely on the pump I turned it off and quickly turned it back on, and lo and behold a small squirt of water landed on my foot. As it turned out, the plastic left behind from the broken cap must've been good enough to keep the air out for, heck, probably 2 years. But over time this plastic must have been deteriorating to a point when it began to take air a couple weeks ago. To confirm this as the problem, I simply placed my finger over the fragmented plastic and pressed against the casing to act as a plug and sure enough, in just a few seconds the air purged and the swishing of water in the pump's basket disappeared. I shudder to think what a professional would tell me the problem was as he/she hands me a three or four hundred dollar bill. Apologies for all you pros out there who take exception to this comment, but I live in Florida. And for those of you who also live here....enough said! So now I'm thinking that I should trim the plastic fragments even with the casing and apply a Silicone caulk to plug up this problem once and for all, or clear it all out and apply the Silicone. Anyway, thanks heaps for the video and the ensuing comments that just about solved this dilemma for me!
EXCELLENT video and explanation for troubleshooting, I cant believe it, for 10 years I've had pool people coming out to my pool, I've asked every different one why there's air bubbles and each of them saw all the bubbles (and heard) them bubbling in the pool as well as the pump's basket and NONE gave an explanation except "you must have air coming in somewhere"!!!! ---no solution no easy fix just a comment. I just cant believe it. Well I'm going to fix it myself! Thanks to this video!
Excellent video, explaining three main sources of bubbles in return lines. Will look into water level, straining pot lid and Unions.
Thanks. I didn't put the plastic screen in the right direction on the sealed filter. It wasn't letting the cover tighten all the way, even though it seemed tight enough. I had to go out at 10 pm in the dark to figure out what was the culprit after watching your video. Success!
I was glad I checked my skimmer flap! It wasn’t the o rink for my air bubbles, but a stuck flap. I still learned something here, thanks 😊
Just took some of your advice from this clip and now my pool filter is working again. THANKS!!!
Great Job on the video! The second thing I would check after the water level is the skimmer. Some skimmers have an insert that gets cocked, causing air to be sucked in through the top despite having an adequate water level.
Thank You, Thank You, Thank You! after watching dozens of videos with no results, I came across your video and bam. My problem is solved 1 2 3. in my case the Diverter valve lid O ring was not properly sealed. Its not covered in you video, but you led me in the right direction.
Excellent job explaining trouble shooting how air can enter your pump/filter system.
Many recommend silicone-based grease on gaskets and seal rings, such as at the union you fixed, and on the O-ring under the lid of the screw-on top of the pump basket, and on any screw-in drain plugs that might have loosened or which don't have a separate o-ring and depend on the grease for a good seal. Thanks for a really great video; it is still the best after being made and posted 14 years ago.
10+ years late to this party, but thanks! Pretty sure my air issue is the o-ring on my chlorine dispenser thingy. First time pool owner, so much appreciated and hope your are well.
And also with the Pentair pump shown, the two drain plug gaskets can deteriorate. I have just opened my pool and had this problem. Good and informative video. Many thanks!
Excellent video. Understood everything you showed and explained perfectly. Will definitely be monitoring the 3 main issues that can cause air bubbles in my return lines.
This video is great because air bubbles area common occurence with pools, especially when the are opened for the season. Just with advice in this video pool owners will eliminate service calls, save money, and have better pool filtration. Great video Jason!
Thank you! This was just what we needed to fix our bubbles that were coming from the pool motor basket!
Excellent video!! Thanks to you I found a crack in the strainer lid and then the Jandy valve diverter valve stem o-rings were leaking. A tip from a local store was to spread shaving cream around the Jandy valve stem with the handle removed and sure enough the bubbles in the strainer went away.
Thanks for the great videos!!
nice video! another way to check air entering the union or lid is to pour water from a bucket over each. it will show less air intrusion in the basket sight glass.
Thank you for this comprehensive look at what causes the bubbles👌🏽
3way valve BEFORE pump inlet had a wobbly union, that was the source of my air bubbles, fixed with new modern 3way valve vs twenty year old one. Great video thanks.
Thanks for this! I am having this exact problem, on a similar Pentair system. Gonna check that union ring tomorrow when I have some light to work with.
4th thing to check is the skimmer weir door. If it's stuck in the up position even though the water level is correct it can still suck in air. Easy way to tell is to look in the front of the skimmer and make sure the skimmer door isn't stuck in the up position. Also for floating weir door that the basket isn't full of leaves causing the floating weir to be stuck too high up. Main cause is skimmer for air issues. Also to see easily and air leak at pump turn off and on pump quickly a few time and where the air leak is will squirt water out.
Stuck weir door. Thanks for the tip, it just solved my problem. THANK YOU!!!
Yeah i had that happen sometimes
@Crotch Banister o-ring is cheap, I'd replace if it is at all worn.
Does the foam piece on the weir plate go on the bottom?
@@janicemontagna4098 The foam should be on the TOP edge of the weir door. That way the top edge of the door floats just below the surface and maximizes the skimming effect
Hi Jason, thanks very much for this video. It did the trick and worked like a charm. I appreciate you taking the time to help us.
Thank you! You offered some useful info about my pools that should help me determine why air is coming out of the jets. I hope it's of the above ground nature! Your video was well planned and informative.
Very helpful. Should've watched this earlier! The top of my pump basket wasn't seated properly. Problem solved!
13 years later my pump cap had a maple copter breaking the seal after cleaning. I felt dumb, but your video helped me out. When I turned off the pump I could hear the squeal of the air being sucked in and saw bubbles being sucked in. I’m dumb!
I so much love this explanation is very clear and understandable ❤
Jason, the union at the pump was the problem.. Thank you so much..
I don't have a swimming pool, but, but ... is the best explained video I ever seen.
Jason, very helpful segment. We had bubbles because we had the wrong plugs in the wrong spots. Thanks.
Great vid, I might add to check the weir doors to verify a leaf isn't stuck in there keeping it from operating correctly...its happened to me and it stopped water from flowing into the skimmer correctly which caused it to suck some air.
Union is on backwards, the flow always goes from the male end(the one with the nut) to the female end(the one with the threads on it) of the union.
This video help a lot! Installed new pump on our in ground pool had air bubbles, after double checking pipe unions & pump plugs. Problem solved!! Thanks
Jason, what a terrific guide. I've been going crazy trying to figure out how the bubbles have been coming through the return and your video was perfect. It was as if we were watching this through your own eyes. Will get your book as well . . . thanks.
Clear concise and effective . Thanks
One thing I like to do is watch the plumbing and pump closely when I turn the pump off. If there's a leak on the suction side, the resistance of the pump and filtration system will typically cause some water to briefly flow out from the culprit area.
In retrospect, this is what I observed, but didn't understand at the time.
Thanks, will check for all areas mentioned by all.
Champion!! Union wasn’t tight enough. Great post 👍
Great tutorial Jason, I learned some valuable things today. Thank You and keep up the good work my friend.
Sincerely, Parris, San Diego
Very comprehensive video. Thanks!
Wow…. You saved me a lot of trouble! Great video! Thanks!
Great video , solved my problem in just 10 minutes!!!
Helpful video. But I would like to add one more possibility. If the trap door on your skimmer isn't opening properly it will prevent your filter from priming properly. Mine got stuck and I pushed it open and the filter runs fine now. Simple fix.
The other thing is the actual pool cleaner. I have a zodiac "robotic" cleaner. The issue that no one mentions is that they have a tendency to climb too far up the walls whilst cleaning and therefore suck in air from above the water line.
It can also get trapped if the pump is at a higher elevation than the skimmer when emptying the catch basket. Just close the skimmer and main drain valves before you take the lid off. So you only lose the water from the pump side of the valve to the pump it's self. You can just open the air escape valve on top of the filter. Not sure about sand filter but cartridge and DE filters have it.
Thank you for the video. I"m sort of a newb pool owner, our 18x36 in ground pool came with the house we bought a couple of years ago. We had a new liner installed and things seemed to be fine, but two weeks later I'm seeing air bubbles ONLY when we have it on main drain (sump). Water level is fine, skimmer is fine, so I checked the valve-pump union. It's several years old and the gasket appears to be mashed flat. I cleaned it, lubed it and retightened it and same issue. I am going to replace the entire union tomorrow (unless I can just get a gasket). The pool pump (Hayward Supreme) is two ears old but the gasket around the top of the filter basket seems a bit aged and stiff. I lubed it and tried it and no difference. SO I'll just replace the union tomorrow and see if that fixes the problem. When it IS on main drain, and I'm getting some cavitation in the basket, there are no water bubbles being injected into the pool by the jets, which is weird.
Great video - thanks. I have another option if it doesn't work. In our case it was the drain valve of the pool pump. It was lose and sucking air
Yeah. That is the main one he missed. Not a bad How to.. Vid, however don't start cutting up concrete before you either tighten or replace a two dollar drain plug on the pump.
Thank you this valuable information. IT doesn't seem my pool service have any idea how to remedy this problem with the air bubbles in my pool. I will definitely check all three suggestions when time permits.
Well done. another trick, get the pump running as good as it can and then kill the power to it and look at every connection in front of the pump. Back pressure will usually cause the the connection that is drawing air to leak a little water.
Great video! If I may, a lot of times and especially if the oring is in a vertical attitude like in your union, the oring will want to fall out. Before installing, coat the oring with silicone. This will help hold the oring in place when assembling and actually creates a better seal. I use it on all of my oring sealed components in my pool equipment. Just saying...
Great video. Fingers crossed that solves this.
Another reason its when you have to many 90 degrees elbows in the pipes.
If you have a single speed pump, friction of water against all those curves may cause water to produce friction bubbles, I dont like using universal unions, here in the caribean where Im Pentair Warranty center, we recommend using universal male adapter and they are heat resistant, the attach to housing without any sealant because it have orings. If we have some hurricane warning we take them in a safe place or if you have to inspect or clean beneath the pumps are good.
Nice video
Excellent advice Thank You for sharing
Wow man. great video. you need to make more of these types of videos
Fantastic video mate. Sorted my problem instantly.
Thank you so much. Very informative. I have a Caretaker system (with 5 zones of pop up jets). I'm also wondering where air entry points are in that part of the system.
thankz sooooooooooo much jason.... God bless you for eternity...i love when people explains everything to the "T" in there tutorial....mannnnn you are a money and life savor....i was about to call somebody..JASON'S DA MANNNN...Peace
Thank Jason I will check the O ring ...
Thank you. I have the same problem and my pool guy is oblivious. I will try it
See you just posted 2 weeks ago, so would love to see if you were able to solve - I just had this air thing tonight and pretty sure it's the o-ring on my chlorine dispenser cap. I wouldn't have realized without this video though!
Jason, why don’t pool installation companies use sweep/long term 90’s for all their elbows, to reduce piping friction lose and to help improve flow? Is it a matter of cost saving when you’re using 100’s of these elbows?
Same reason they plumbed my 20,000 gallon pool with 1.5" PVC. Either because the concept of piping friction is alien to them, or they wanted to save $3.
Thanks for the info, problem solved. Bad seal
3 way valve also has a cap oring and orings on the stem of the diverter that can suck air if worn or not tightened down
Thank you very much. I watched your video and found a loose drain plug.
You saved me a service call.
Thank you!!!!! Our pool company wasn't smart enough to troubleshoot this!!!!
+Linda Wolfe: best is to take care yourself of the pool. Our pool guy messed up completely our pool and he does nothing else than pools ... Now it's much better!
You are right on those pool guy, they will create a broken parts to charge you with so much exorbitant, fee. My pool guy removed the capacitor connection and wants to replaced the motor and charged me 500 bucks but told him I will canvass first. So I look at the security camera and there, caught him destroying my motor, so I reconnect and it run. I fired him, I should call the police, but did not. He did charged me 800 for the broken LED light long time ago, I think I got scammed.
Fighting this problem for a week suspected air but figured it would leak water if it was leaking. Thanks for the info.
Not necessarily since on the suction side you have a vacuum created. Suction side: air in, Return side: look for leaks.
Thank you for this. I have this issue, but ONLY when I turn the junction valve to my vacuum line. I took my pool vacuum out of the equation. What could be the issue?
Thanks for a quick easy resolve.
Looks like a new install. WOW
A helpful video. Thanks.
That suction side 3way can draw air as well, a bad glue joint, crack in housing, crack in lid, leak at the seal plate or even a loose drain plug on the wet end. FYI.
I recently had this same problem, it was my suction valve. The o-rings were getting old. Replaced them and its all good now.
I may have other problems, but this was really helpful. I loose power from the vacuum when I try to clean the pool, but it may be that the suction side loses power from air. This explanation was very good. I have three returns and three suction lines (Two skimmers and the main drain) which increases the number of air leakage possibilities.
thank you for the video and information. Helpful!!!
Right? I see this was posted over 10 years ago, but pretty sure it will have solved my issue if i can find the o-ring!
Thank you! Solved the mystery!!! My hero!
That was it! It was the intake seal! Thanks!
my problem was the water level this helped a lot thanks
This helped me fix mine! Thank you!
Great video. Thanks for sharing!!!
Thanks for the information.
Excellent video ! Thank you
It is fairly easy to replace orings in the multi-valve assembly, so I am surprised you did not include that in your trouble shoot.
I fought with my pool for the entire 10 plus years I lived at that house. Old property and the pool was probably built in the mid 50's. The bubbles were ever present an after a few days, the pump wouldn't move water. Some kind of air lock thing. I could usually backwash and get it going again.
I understand the mechanics and knew the bubbles were coming from the suction side somewhere. The pool vac hoses were constantly failing as was the head of the unit. The n the old black bottomed skimmer was suspect so it was replaced and. It worked for a while. I replaced all the old black plastic pipes that I could get to. That helped for a while.
The longest I was ever able to keep it going smoothly was a few weeks. It was my hobby and my nemesis for far too long..
Thanks for this video. This fixed my problem.
Another way to check where the air leak may be is to run water from your garden hose over each connection for like 30 seconds and if the air bubbles disappear that tells you where the leak is.
Thank You Jason , I fixed my problem by your clip .
great video and simple to follow... Thank you so much for this info
Muy buen video, muy profesional y muy claro.
Thanks Jason! Awesome video!