leakhelp

Have heard of "some" success with "Stop Leak" products that you add to water and run the system without the filter. It is worth a try. As for Plast-aid, if you can see the leak, then this stuff is for you. I use all the time and it works wonders. it does exactly what their website claims.

Like the Clown says, you have found some jets. That air sucking in is normal. Called a "venturi" and that "T" you found is the airline for those jets. If you dislike this feature, you can plug the airline and the bubbles will stop. Or you can get crafty and add a ball valve to reduce the air flow and regulate the bubbles. *Note on the valve: a local hardware store should carry one- oh and don't buy a cheap one. They will break and get sticky after a while. Get a nice quality sch 80 valve or something. Best would be a serviceable one, like a 2-way "Jandy" valve. Here is the valve I would put on (assuming the pipe size makes sense and you have room): Jandy Look online and order one, just find out the pipe size and put it inline, under that "T". Shoot, if you want send a picture and we probably can help out more if need be.

The smart seal website looks legit and they have a "contact us" link where you size your pool, just call them. Also, if you supplier stocks this product, buy the minimun and only buy more if you need to. Also, I am sure you will need to prime first- so there is added cost. Otherwise you may regret epoxy-ing your pool. It will look good for a while and then start to flake and chip. I have seen plenty of crapola epoxy jobs. I would get more bids on the replaster. 6k sounds steep in this economy.

I sent a pm...

Just like PC said...check all the valves. Basically anywhere the pool and spa can connect- through the suction lines (the valve located there could easily have something breaking the seal since it is unfiltered water flowing through this valve). Return lines and the related valves. If your spa has a dedicated "by-pass", there should be a check valve on that too. If this is foreign to you, take a picture of your equipment and maybe we can help further. Sometimes, if you go out to the pump at night (or anytime when it is quiet) and run it, shut it off and listen next to the valves- you may hear the water siphoning back and that will identify the bad seal. If all the valves check out, make sure you don't have an actual leak. You can do this several ways...try an evaporation test- it's cheap (basically free, just need a 5-gallon bucket and tape) and pretty accurate if done correctly.

Just some thoughts...it sounds like you have had some of the common things checked- filter, pump, hoses, etc. Since you plug your cleaner into the skimmer directly (from what I have read), you are subjecting your suction line to clogs. All the debris that your vac picks up can bunch up in the pipe and cause a blockage, so when you try to run your vac- the potential clog and the extra head pressure from the hose strains the pump and reduces suction. One way we look for blockage clues is with your vac hose plugged in and the pump on...observe the pump and shut it off. If water seems to rush backwards...then that is a blockage clue. The pump is trying to pull the water but can't, so when the pump is shut off, the energy is sent backwards...make sense? We have several techniques for clearing clogs...mostly we use a tank of compressed air, special plugs and "blast" air from the pump backwards (or from the skimmer, depending on situation). We also use special plugs to "plunge" the pipe. Do not snake the line, this can be very damaging, unless the person snaking has experience. If you do find that the line was clogged and you fix it, alter your cleaning methods by adding either a "vac-mate" type apparatus to the skimmer or inserting a "leaf catcher" in-line with your cleaner hose. If not and it is determined that the problem is not a blockage, maybe its time to call a leak specialist to diagnose the line. First thing they should do is pressure test it- to ensure no leaks are present, and then if they are knowledgeable, they can de-block the line. Keep us posted, maybe we have more advice. Good Luck!