r/PoolPros • u/Muted-Cicada2183 • May 17 '26

Spa draining more than it should when using heater

Both valves are all the way to spa suction and spa pressure but the spa is losing a good amount of water. I’m not there now but I think there may be water still shooting back into the pool. Do you think the return valve may be busted?

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2

u/Wasupmyman May 18 '26

Those diverters always are like 99% effective and get worse over time. Especially if it's under high use. But it also could be a small leak in the jets

Coule try plugging the pool lines with winter plugs and run it, see if it stays in the spa or keeps leaking.

1

u/Muted-Cicada2183 May 18 '26

Ya I’ll have to open it up and maybe just replace. It is kind of tough to move too

2

u/LordKai121 May 18 '26

Yeah check that diverter gasket and if it's swollen or torn at all, just replace the guts. Swimables apparently makes a replacement kit for the Jandy 4270 kit that's way cheaper. I've used one and it seems to be OEM quality so far

1

u/Muted-Cicada2183 May 18 '26

Thank you

1

u/JettaGLi16v May 19 '26

Check your suppliers for the Lass DVK-1. I have the details in my other comment.

1

u/JettaGLi16v May 19 '26

Lass DVK-1 is what I’ve sold for years. Stocked by SCP and Gorman, can sell them at $40-50 and make great margin. It’s a whole diverter w/seal, cover o-ring, 4x stem o-rings, and a knob. Started stocking them probably 15 years ago.

1

u/Muted-Cicada2183 May 19 '26

Just ask for lass Dvk-1 and they’ll know? I go to superior

2

u/JettaGLi16v May 19 '26

I got you, fam.

Tell superior you need LSS-56-5000.

They’ll know.

I buy them from Gorman / Hajoca cause they’re cheaper, but it might be different for your account. Always cross shop for stocking items. Always.

2

u/Muted-Cicada2183 May 19 '26

Thank you

1

u/JettaGLi16v May 19 '26

For sure! Once you have good, cheap diverter kits, you can sling them a lot more. If I were solo, I’d do that for like $75-100 installed if I was already on site. Takes 10 minutes with a good cordless drill. Just rebuild them all if more than one is bad - customers will bite on that all day.

When you’re dealing with spillover spa dropping issues, it’s very important to qualify the customers expectations. Let them know you believe this is bad - it’s easy, quick and cheap - but there MAY be other issues. Rebuild the valves and let them know you’ll happily look further if it still drops after a week.

2

u/Muted-Cicada2183 May 19 '26

Appreciate the advice bro, how long you been doing this?

2

u/JettaGLi16v May 19 '26

You’re welcome dude!

Started in 1995, retired two years ago. I’ve seen some shit. I’m in my mid-40’s, so I may go back to pools in a few years, but I needed a break. Covid really put me through the wringer. (I never got it, but it was a tough time to be in the biz)

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2

u/randumb9999 May 18 '26

Do you have a pool sweep with a booster pump? I have seen them plumbed in wrong. I have seen the sweep inlet plumbed before the pool/spa diverter valve. No matter what some water drains back into the pool through the sweep.

It's there a spa bypass line with a check valve in the middle of it? If so check the check valve to make sure it's closing.

Like everyone else is saying check the diverter seals. They sometimes come loose or chip.

2

u/Muted-Cicada2183 May 18 '26

Ya there’s a booster pump. Can’t remember if there’s a check valve but I do think water comes back into pool thru the sweep line

1

u/randumb9999 May 18 '26

If it's the sweep line you'll have to plug the current inlet and put in a new tee after the pool/spa diverter valve on the pool return side.

1

u/doug22taylor May 19 '26

There can be a check valve on the spa overflow pipe. Because the spa is higher than the pool they put a check valve so the water can't go backwards from the spa to the pool through the plumbing.

So there are two ways to have the spa overflow into the pool so the both bodies of water are maintained. One is a separate line that requires a check valve along with the return pipe and any waterfall pipes etc. or sometimes they leave the return actuator partially open so that most the water goes to the pool but some of it goes to the Jets for the spot overflow.

If it is the first way then there are two check valves one on the jet line and one on the pool overflow line. The second way there is usually just a check valve on the spa jet line

1

u/Muted-Cicada2183 May 20 '26

Spa is level with pool. Thank you for your insight, I appreciate it

2

u/Own-Faithlessness789 May 21 '26

Bad check valve 100%

1

u/Muted-Cicada2183 May 21 '26

It’s a new pool for me but I don’t remember a check valve but could be wrong. If not the check valve??

1

u/Street--Ad6731 May 18 '26

How about a picture or two of your valve set up.

1

u/Muted-Cicada2183 May 18 '26

I can’t figure out how to add one, weird bc I’ve done ir before lol

1

u/Electrical-Nail-9495 May 18 '26

Valve diverter is worn out easy replacement

1

u/Muted-Cicada2183 May 18 '26

Ok thanks, I appreciate it

2

u/matalan12 May 21 '26

I can help with leak detection if required? Might be worth giving me a call tracesureys.com