Help!! How to drain spa into pool?

[Happilytorn]

New homeowner/pool owner here. There’s a horizontal crack below the bench section of the spa. We had American Leak come out to repair (they are the ones that discovered the leak).  They said they aren’t able to repair it. Now there’s a crack on the concrete near the spa area. I think we need to drain the spa ASAP to prevent further damage. We asked our pool maintenance company to assist but they always take a few days to show up. Can anyone tell us how to drain the spa into the pool? Thank you all so much!! 
 

 

[RDspaguy]

Set your suction valve on spa and your return on pool. Couldn't say which is which from your photo.

[Happilytorn]

5 hours ago, RDspaguy said:

Set your suction valve on spa and your return on pool. Couldn't say which is which from your photo.

Do I need to have the filter pump on or off when doing this? 

[RDspaguy]

On. If the bottom of the spa is higher than the water level of the pool just ooening the suction side valve halfway (so both pipes are open) will gravity drain it.

[Happilytorn]

I tried to shut off what I thought was spa return (it was set to like an 80/20), but when I turned the filter pump on, the spa started filling water in immediately. So I tried to turn the valve the other way, thinking maybe I shut off the pool return instead of the spa return, but the valve wouldn’t turn. It goes back to the 80/20 position. Is this normal? I’m complete newbie so I have no idea what I’m doing... 

[RDspaguy]

Not normal I would say, but the valve actuator has adjustable cam stops that could be set anywhere the installer chose to put them. Did you try to turn it by hand or use the switch on the side of the actuator (black box under the handle)?

[Happilytorn]

I used the little switch on the bottom of the box. I did try to turn by hand but I couldn’t move it at all. 

[RDspaguy]

Sounds like it is set up that way. Not a very good way to do it, but there it is. I would suggest a sump pump. 

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.jandy.com/-/media/zodiac/global/downloads/h/h0570800.pdf%3Fforce%3D1&ved=2ahUKEwiqmM3sh4XqAhXgSzABHboyAPoQFjABegQIARAB&usg=AOvVaw2UNkrMHeQBmgMZbO4BvRg2

 

[Happilytorn]

Thanks for the link! I didn't realize I had to push down the knob before turning. I’ll try that tomorrow. Thank you so much!! 

[Oldy]

You can always take out the actuator and do it by hand if the tiny switch on the actuator valve is not working.  So you take out four screws that hold the actuator, lift it up, then twist and take off the little nut above the handle so you can take off the handle, put the handle on the jandy valve and turn it by hand. 

If everything is plumbed the way it should be, you'll need to turn ON the pipe on the left on your suction side - that's by the pump (picture one). On picture two you also need to turn OFF the pipe on the left (the one that has check valve on it- that is your spa return pipe). Once the spa drains, turn everything back the way it was. 

[Happilytorn]

Thank you @Oldy!! That definitely worked!