Adjusting Pool & Spa Valves

Most pools without spas, or side ports, have a basic valve control and adjustment for the skimmer and main drain. These instructions are for a basic pool with one or two valves leading to the pump setting.

The Skimmer - is the housing at the side of the pool that pulls water, leaves and debris into the system and collects debris in a basket. There are a variety of skimmer baskets and lids on the market.

The Main Drain - draws water from the bottom of the pool into the filter system. They each have an individual pipe that converges into one pipe just before your pump and filter. Typically, there is a valve that allows you to adjust the water flow from these two pipes. Side Port is an opening in the side of the pool for a floor vacuum attachment. If you have a side port, you will see a second valve leading into the pump.

Determining Skimmer And Main Drain Settings

All pools are different in this adjustment and this is strictly for a system that looks like this or, if you have a side port. Any pool with more than two valve adjustments should have a professional label them. The fact is, if you have the valves set wrong, you can prevent water flow to critical parts of the system, causing internal, or pump damage. NOTE: The large end opposite the valve handle controls the flow of water going into the pipe it is facing.

1. Valve Adjustment - one valve. Turn on motor and let pool run for a few minutes, ensuring that there is no air in the system and that the water is flowing smoothly.
2. Loosen nut on top of handle just enough to allow smooth movement when turning. (don’t forget to tighten it when done.) Turn handle to one side to shut off one of the pipes. Now go to the skimmer in your pool, remove lid and look inside to see of there is water movement by dropping a couple leaves into the water (do not put hand inside). If leaves move in circles, or are drawn into the skimmer in a circular motion, you have effectively shut off the main drain. If this is the case, with a felt tip marker, label pipe that is shut off with MD (main drain). Opposite this marking, label the other pipe SK (skimmer). If the water in the skimmer is not moving, turn handle in the opposite direction and then check skimmer and label appropriately.
3. Valve Adjustment - (two valves), If you have a side port, you will have to determine which one of these valves works the side port as the main drain and skimmer adjustments typically work off the same valve. This can get a little confusing so be patient. The best way to begin is to write A & B somewhere on the two valves in small letters. NOTE: Make sure that the side port does not have a closed safety cover on it in the pool as it will prevent water from coming through the pipe. Establish the flow for the main drain and skimmer by shutting off valve B. Then go through the two step process above (step 2) with valve A. If you do not see a flow of water in the skimmer after trying each adjustment, you may have shut off the main drain and skimmer entirely. This is more than likely the side port adjustment. Once establishing your main drain and skimmer valve, the second valve should be the side port. Label this pipe side port unless you have a floor vacuum that will be attached here, this valve should be shut off as it is a safety hazard if it does not have a cover on it.

Final Adjustments

1. Does your pool have a lot of leaves and debris falling into it? If so, you will want to partially close off the main drain, giving more suction to the skimmer. This is a very effective way to keep your pool relatively free of debris settling on the bottom of the pool. However, you will have to empty the skimmer basket frequently so it doesn’t jam and interfere with the water flow. Ideally, empty basket right after motor shuts down so leaves don’t float back into pool if your skimmer opening doesn’t have a door.
2. If your pool is relatively free of debris and leaves, the valve can sit comfortably in-between the main drain and skimmer.
3. If you have an automated floor vacuum and your pool collects leaves and debris, refer to the automated floor vacuum chapter for proper adjustments.

Water Flow Troubleshooting

If, by making the above adjustments and you see air bubbles blowing into the pool through the jets, or, no water coming out of the jets, go to the pump basket and check to see if the water is fl owing through it smoothly. If not, remove pump basket lid and fill system with water from a garden hose until it is overflowing. Close lid tightly and turn
on pump motor. Be sure to let air escape from air release valve on filter.

Other potential solutions:

1. Valve adjustments are improperly set. Open up valves so they are set in-between main drain & skimmer. Then readjust them according to the prior directions.
2. Water level is below pool skimmer. Add water until 3 - 4” above bottom of skimmer. Be sure to turn off pump until water level is at the proper height.
3. Pump basket lid is not closed properly and/or gasket is bad and not making a proper seal.
4. Filter is extremely dirty - clean filter.
5. Air valve or filter housing is not properly closed. Do you see water leaking from the sides or top? Check to be sure upper housing is set properly and air release valve is closed. You will hear a hissing sound from the valve adjustment, or, water will be spurting out of if not closed properly.

If these steps do not resolve the problem, a professional should be called in to assess a potential problem and/or make proper adjustments. A clear sign of a problem is if your motor sounds like it is running high or the gears or bearings inside of it are grinding. Trust your intuition. If you have any doubts, shut down the system by killing the breaker switch so you don’t burn out a motor.