I bought this house with an in-ground swimming pool 2 years ago.

Never had any problems until now.

It's a pool spa combination. About 10,500 gallons. Two skimmers. Two drains
(pool and spa) heater, floating chlorine dispenser, sand-filter and Polaris.
Pool is about 35 years old.

Just recently it started getting air bubbles coming out of one of the spa
input jets. I can hear some air going through the plumbing near the
filter/multi valve. I don't see any bubbles going into the main pump filter
basket.

The sand filter's pressure gauge indicates a small decrease in pressure
(approx drop from 17lbs to 16lbs) but when any leaves get in the pump filter
basket the pressure drops dramatically. (past 10 lbs)

I've also noticed more sand in the pool from the filter

Questions:

How can I track down the leak?

Could it be the valves gaskets?

Does a worn spider gasket on the multi valve cause sand in the pool and
could this be where I'm getting the air bubbles from?

Could the air be coming from a pump gasket?

TIA

"retired53" [email protected] wrote in message
...

I bought this house with an in-ground swimming pool 2 years ago.
. . .
I've also noticed more sand in the pool from the filter

Seek pool store advice. No sand should reach the
pool from the filter.

--
Don Phillipson
Carlsbad Springs
(Ottawa, Canada)

"Don Phillipson" wrote in message
...
"retired53" [email protected] wrote in message
...

I bought this house with an in-ground swimming pool 2 years ago.
. . .
I've also noticed more sand in the pool from the filter

Seek pool store advice. No sand should reach the
pool from the filter.

--
Don Phillipson
Carlsbad Springs
(Ottawa, Canada)


Yeah...I did a little research and it said I may need to drain the filter
take out the sand and replace the laterals (not sure what those are) I'd
contact my supply store but those kids usually aren't much help. I'd rather
figure it out on my own. Cheaper, and *usually* gets done correctly. It's
not rocket science. :^)

Changing the laterals - assuming you can find replacements - can be a lot of
work. [Consider removing several hundred pounds of sand through a small
opening.]
Changing the the spider gasket is cheap and easy. Try that first.
On the other hand, I get a small but detectable amount of sand after
backwashing. Done this for years and never progressed to anything major.
I'd keep an eye on the situation before making any major decisions.

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"John Keiser" wrote in message
news:P9qdnUyvcdwbXCjVnZ2dnUVZ_jidnZ2d@hawaiiantel. net...
Changing the laterals - assuming you can find replacements - can be a lot
of work. [Consider removing several hundred pounds of sand through a
small opening.]
Changing the the spider gasket is cheap and easy. Try that first.
On the other hand, I get a small but detectable amount of sand after
backwashing. Done this for years and never progressed to anything major.
I'd keep an eye on the situation before making any major decisions.

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I was doing more reading on laterals and it said to just replace the whole
filter is much easier. Considering the filter is 35 years old I think I'll
just let it ride for awhile. The sand amount is pretty small and it has been
doing it since I got it.

I backwash a lot too. Maybe too much. I read, on the internet, that I should
wait until it gets 10lbs over not 3 to 4 lbs like I was. I'll cut back on
the backwashing.

It really sounds to me like the air is getting in through the pump gasket. I
almost positive the spider gasket needs replacing too. I had some issues
with it backwashing into the spa.

"retired53" [email protected] writes:

I bought this house with an in-ground swimming pool 2 years ago.

Never had any problems until now.

Just recently it started getting air bubbles coming out of one of the spa
input jets. I can hear some air going through the plumbing near the
filter/multi valve. I don't see any bubbles going into the main pump filter
basket.

Look for leaks on the intake side.
Start at the skimmer.
I've seen little whirlpools develop in the skimmer
letting air into the system
especially if the water level is low.

I've also noticed more sand in the pool from the filter

As others said, a little sand is no big deal.

The laterals are arms at the bottom of the sand filter
that let water exit the sand.
Wait til you want to change the sand before inspecting there.

"John Keiser" wrote in message
news:P9qdnUyvcdwbXCjVnZ2dnUVZ_jidnZ2d@hawaiiantel. net...
Changing the laterals - assuming you can find replacements - can be a lot
of work. [Consider removing several hundred pounds of sand through a
small opening.]

shop vac with a thin hose

"Dan Espen" wrote in message
...
"retired53" [email protected] writes:

I bought this house with an in-ground swimming pool 2 years ago.

Never had any problems until now.

Just recently it started getting air bubbles coming out of one of the spa
input jets. I can hear some air going through the plumbing near the
filter/multi valve. I don't see any bubbles going into the main pump
filter
basket.

Look for leaks on the intake side.
Start at the skimmer.
I've seen little whirlpools develop in the skimmer
letting air into the system
especially if the water level is low.


I keep the water level high enough to keep air from coming in through the
skimmers. I can see the water flowing through the pump basket. It has one of
those transparent lids. I don't see any air bubbles coming in there. I do
hear some unusual noise near the pump. It's not coming from the multi valve
or filter. It sounds like it's coming from the pump housing. I had the
gasket replaced two years ago. So it makes me wonder why it went out so
fast.

Anyway, I think I just need to go through it and replace all the gaskets
before I tear apart the filter.

I wonder; Why is it so hard to replace the sand if it's susposed to be done
every five years? I have no idea how long it's been since it's been
replaced. How can I tell?

"olddog" wrote in message
...

"Dan Espen" wrote in message
...
"retired53" [email protected] writes:

I bought this house with an in-ground swimming pool 2 years ago.

Never had any problems until now.

Just recently it started getting air bubbles coming out of one of the
spa
input jets. I can hear some air going through the plumbing near the
filter/multi valve. I don't see any bubbles going into the main pump
filter
basket.

Look for leaks on the intake side.
Start at the skimmer.
I've seen little whirlpools develop in the skimmer
letting air into the system
especially if the water level is low.


I keep the water level high enough to keep air from coming in through the
skimmers. I can see the water flowing through the pump basket. It has one
of those transparent lids. I don't see any air bubbles coming in there. I
do hear some unusual noise near the pump. It's not coming from the multi
valve or filter. It sounds like it's coming from the pump housing. I had
the gasket replaced two years ago. So it makes me wonder why it went out
so fast.

Anyway, I think I just need to go through it and replace all the gaskets
before I tear apart the filter.

I wonder; Why is it so hard to replace the sand if it's susposed to be
done every five years? I have no idea how long it's been since it's been
replaced. How can I tell?


olddog = retired53 (different computer)

"olddog" writes:

"Dan Espen" wrote in message
....
I wonder; Why is it so hard to replace the sand if it's susposed to be
done every five years? I have no idea how long it's been since it's
been replaced. How can I tell?

It's not hard to replace the sand providing...

My filter holds 2 50lb bags of sand.
That's 100lbs dry, a bit more damp.

I can still reach under the deck lift out the filter
full of sand and pour the sand into a wheelbarrow.
But I wouldn't call it easy.

So providing you're strong enough it's easy as pie.

Depends on the size and configuration of your filter. It is more tedious
when you have 500 pounds of sand to remove through the top. The shop vac is
essential but the job still takes awhile.



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"John Keiser" wrote in message
news:NsmdncrwZOg7KyvVnZ2dnUVZ_tHinZ2d@hawaiiantel. net...
Depends on the size and configuration of your filter. It is more tedious
when you have 500 pounds of sand to remove through the top. The shop vac
is essential but the job still takes awhile.



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Mine would have to weigh in that range.

I'm still wondering: How can I tell if the sand needs changing.

Also, did you ever repair the laterals?

BTW: Thanks for the tip on the Shop Vac.

Weigh is proportionate to diameter. 36 inches is probably 500 pounds.

I've changed my sand once in 30+ years and even then the grains felt sharp.
So probably not necessary. I'd guess you'd notice inefficient filtering
eventutally but the "5 year" rules seems vastly over-rated.

After 30 years, my Tahitian developed a leaky valve. No parts available.
If yours is of that vintage, I question availabliity of valve parts or
laterals [these are just plastic tubes with slits that snap to screw into
the main pipe.]
I bought a used Hayward on Craigslist for $50 because parts are available.
Changed the spider gasket and good to go. Replacement laterals available.

Good luck.


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"John Keiser" wrote in message
...
Weigh is proportionate to diameter. 36 inches is probably 500 pounds.

I've changed my sand once in 30+ years and even then the grains felt
sharp. So probably not necessary. I'd guess you'd notice inefficient
filtering eventutally but the "5 year" rules seems vastly over-rated.

After 30 years, my Tahitian developed a leaky valve. No parts available.
If yours is of that vintage, I question availabliity of valve parts or
laterals [these are just plastic tubes with slits that snap to screw into
the main pipe.]
I bought a used Hayward on Craigslist for $50 because parts are available.
Changed the spider gasket and good to go. Replacement laterals available.

Good luck.

Mine's a Baker Hydro. Parts are still available.

Filtering is still excellent so I guess:"don't fix it if it ain't broken".
g

I've looked at some of the valve gaskets and they are in bad shape so that's
what I'm going to do. I have two extra valves because of the spa.

Good idea to look on craigslist for replacement parts. I wouldn't have
thought of it.

On Thu, 28 Aug 2008 18:23:08 GMT, "retired53" [email protected] wrote:

I've looked at some of the valve gaskets and they are in bad shape so that's
what I'm going to do. I have two extra valves because of the spa.

An auto store will carry gasket material; for making your own gasket.

I've not make a pool valve gasket, yet. The thread reminded me of the
material and tools in the tool box. Draw and cut is easy...

Good idea to look on craigslist for replacement parts. I wouldn't have
thought of it.


Caution on used gaskets taken from parts. New is better, unless you
make yourself one.

"Oren" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 28 Aug 2008 18:23:08 GMT, "retired53" [email protected] wrote:

I've looked at some of the valve gaskets and they are in bad shape so
that's
what I'm going to do. I have two extra valves because of the spa.

An auto store will carry gasket material; for making your own gasket.

Good idea if the gaskets are not available anymore but the gaskets would
have to be able to withstand chlorine. I doubt the spider gasket would be
"easy"

http://image.bizrate.com/resize?sq=6...8097&mid=21793

I wasn't thinking of getting gaskets off of Craigslist. I was thinking of
getting the entire filter.

Looks similar to this

http://www.recreonics.com/images2/hr...and_filter.jpg

You are somewhat in lucky then. Baker Hydro also makes a valve that can be
made to fit my old Tahitian but it was very pricey and I'd still have had
30+ year old laterals which are not available. Baker Hydro did not have the
actual gasket for the Tahitian, although I think they made the oringal
valve. I've competently made "o" rings from stock [razor + crazy glue]
but, as another poster mentioned, making a spider gasket is too complex.

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