We have a pool and spa that we just paid big bucks to replumb, which
has been a multi-month project.

The spa is elevated (partially above pool level), but always
maintained its level when the pump went off.

The first thing I found was that they failed to replace the former
check valve that kept the water from draining out of the spa once the
pump was off.

The first solution was to place a check valve (spring loaded) on the
spa return. Unfortunately, for their conveniences, they placed it
BETWEEN two PCB pipes, at a 90 degree angle, making it impossible to
either see the clear area or remove the cover to work on the spring
mechanism without cutting and then replacing an adjacent pipe. When I
asked them whether this valve would require maintenance I was told
that since it was on the other side of the filter, it would never need
servicing. My thought is then why the eight screws on the valve? Am
I wrong in worrying about maintenance at this location?

There is more to this saga, but I thought I would start with the easy
question first.

Thanks to anyone that has some info!

Frank writes:

Am I wrong in worrying about maintenance at this location?

No, you're right.

On Fri, 19 Nov 2004 19:50:27 -0600, Richard J Kinch
wrote:

Frank writes:

Am I wrong in worrying about maintenance at this location?

No, you're right.

Thanks.

Question #2. They also claim that they won't put a check flow valve
on the drain from the spa because the additional load it creates on
the pump motor when being primed will shorten the life of the motor.
Their solution is to always leave the the spa drain closed unless I am
only circulating water to a from the spa (heating just the spa). They
say there is enough circulation by having the water returned to both
the pool and the spa and allowing water to exit into the pool over the
spill over water fall. These seems a little more credible than the BS
they gave me on the inaccessible check valve.

Are they right about this one? Thanks.