Why are there Air Bubbles in my Pool? A Troubleshooting Guide

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

[@gerardvandijk1173]

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[@castingguy2008]

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!

[@bluev3nom]

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!

[@shannonc.9817]

This was SO incredibly helpful. I've watched a lot of KZbin 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!

[@MsZippity]

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 KZbin. Excellent!

[@neohelios77]

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 :)

[@positivedelaware]

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..

[@len9483]

Only 7 thumbs up in 1 year? C'mon folks! This guy did this for free .. for us!

[@steveclark5206]

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.

[@bigbassn86]

Great tutorial Jason, I learned some valuable things today. Thank You and keep up the good work my friend. Sincerely, Parris, San Diego

[@stevewalker862]

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.

[@daleronsin4756]

Professionally and accurately explained. Well done

[@Guitarandbeyond]

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

[@joaocolen7768]

I replaced the pump yesterday and now I’m having this problem. Thank you for the information 🙏🏻

[@allenman85]

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!!

[@eddieguerra7777]

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

[@theeDameAlexander510]

🤣

[@cvitko320]

Excellent job explaining trouble shooting how air can enter your pump/filter system.

[@richardshoemaker1096]

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.

[@Bigweight66]

Just took some of your advice from this clip and now my pool filter is working again. THANKS!!!

[@1webhead]

Thank you Jason, very helpful 👍

[@AlWestwood]

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!

[@PERRYS_PROPS]

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.

[@255mitch]

great video and simple to follow... Thank you so much for this info

[@robertsummers2669]

Excellent video, explaining three main sources of bubbles in return lines. Will look into water level, straining pot lid and Unions.

[@justme7303]

Thank you! Extremely helpful information.

[@markchadwell7093]

Thanks, will check for all areas mentioned by all.

[@g8way2k1]

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!

[@elletuppen4844]

Thank you for this comprehensive look at what causes the bubbles👌🏽

[@Huitzilipochtli1]

Awesome tutorial! Thank you!

[@Yankees4534]

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

[@melaniemag]

Thank you for the lesson -- very helpful!

[@randallhoover7688]

Thank you! Solved the mystery!!! My hero!

[@adamatt2001]

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 😊

[@gregjohnson1079]

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.

[@AllStarAntC]

Thank you for the amazing help!

[@teresawhite-heximer3924]

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.

[@LucaReviews]

Very informative! Thank you for taking the time to make this video.

[@ryanmarciano]

Thanks for a quick easy resolve.

[@cynthiaana4808]

Very comprehensive video. Thanks!

[@Lrningsmthngnwdaily]

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!

[@MarcusSheridan]

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!

[@girlz1229]

Ditto, ditto, ditto! Thanks for taking the time to post this! It's very helpful..

[@ronaldkammeyer9143]

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.

[@jens9058]

Very informative - Thank You!

[@ifeanyiclark8725]

This video was extremely helpful. Thanks :)

[@dmagyar00]

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.

[@nos2142]

Excellent advice Thank You for sharing

[@MikeChestney]

Great video! Thanks for putting this together.

[@SheehanTraining]

Thank you very much for this informative video!

[@mikibusse9267]

Great advice. Thank you

[@tickledaclown3167]

Very helpful. Thank you sir.

[@ewawozniak7537]

Great explanation. Thanks

[@victorhugofernandezgonzale3219]

Muy buen video, muy profesional y muy claro.

[@kdumicich]

Thanks for this video. This fixed my problem.

[@bortoldr]

Awesome video! Thanks for posting!

[@user-xg5pf8fk8m]

Thank you! This was just what we needed to fix our bubbles that were coming from the pool motor basket!

[@shniknej]

Fantastic video mate. Sorted my problem instantly.

[@larsturner310]

A helpful video. Thanks.

[@suburbanwisdom]

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.

[@barbararunko6242]

Jason, very helpful segment. We had bubbles because we had the wrong plugs in the wrong spots. Thanks.

[@billyazprospector]

Thank you for this video!!

[@justme7303]

seriously so helpful!!!! Thank you... again!

[@CLAPBUGGAZ]

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

[@jaymishur1105]

Thanks Jason! Awesome video!

[@michaelabdullah5147]

Clear concise and effective . Thanks

[@IllusiveSasquatch]

Thanks for the great vid. solved er quick!

[@MrGoFrankie]

Great video. Thanks for sharing!!!

[@kathie1499]

Thanks for the information.

[@MrVinhngoc]

Thank You Jason , I fixed my problem by your clip .

[@spicydragonz]

Thank you very much. I watched your video and found a loose drain plug. You saved me a service call.

[@christopheranthony7644]

Excellent video ! Thank you

[@silentmajority5657]

Jason, the union at the pump was the problem.. Thank you so much..

[@peetre]

thanks for a great job explaining this!

[@phillipmoulder1343]

Great video , solved my problem in just 10 minutes!!!

[@maxgracefjr]

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.

[@jaytei1965]

great video , Thank you

[@mryellowcrown]

Thank Jason I will check the O ring ...

[@AZ_sunshine]

thank you. good, informative video. Much appreciated. Problem fixed.

[@Sky360Phoenix]

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.

[@cafilmbuff]

thank you for the video and information. Helpful!!!

[@suburbanwisdom]

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!

[@guest45013]

Looks like a new install. WOW

[@claudioborzillo6933]

Champion!! Union wasn’t tight enough. Great post 👍

[@AMERICANCHOLO]

Great video thank you

[@allcheckout]

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

[@gggnumber1]

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.

[@you5508tube]

You nailed it!! Thanks!!!

[@t.j.gooden2328]

Wow man. great video. you need to make more of these types of videos

[@Anonymous-zv9hk]

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.

[@hughesjasonc]

@MikeShea1047 thanks for the feedback Mike!

[@bradrtorgersen_videos]

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.

[@joesir20]

Wow…. You saved me a lot of trouble! Great video! Thanks!

[@hurricane6907]

Great video. Thanks.

[@omisonofgod]

good video cover all the basic

[@Bjhayer]

Awesome. Great video.

[@JesterAvali]

This helped me fix mine! Thank you!

[@hughesjasonc]

@stewjerome Glad to hear it helped Stuart! Have a great pool season.

[@clauniejoseph1553]

Jason Hughes .

[@bmacsh]

Great video!

[@danielblume6352]

Thanks for the help, problem solved.

[@BAKERHUSKIE]

I don't have a swimming pool, but, but ... is the best explained video I ever seen.

[@ddj350z]

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.

[@josephblow6654]

Stuck weir door. Thanks for the tip, it just solved my problem. THANK YOU!!!

[@dwaynemills2545]

Yeah i had that happen sometimes

[@atallguynh]

@Crotch Banister o-ring is cheap, I'd replace if it is at all worn.

[@janicemontagna4098]

Does the foam piece on the weir plate go on the bottom?

[@drdrew3]

@@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

[@kstyrcula]

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.

[@tanispanter6712]

Thanks needed to know this, Had bubbles for three weeks before I closed the pool for winter. Will check these 3 things when I open it back up.

[@Manmeat7669]

Winter