Slow Leak Near Check Valve when Pump off

[TygerB8]

Hi All, this past weekend I needed to clean my cartridge filter. When I turned off my pump and released pressure from the filter, I noticed water drops slowly coming from the underside of the black pipe between pump and check valve that I circled in red. I’ve also noticed that my pump basket remains about half full of water at low speeds but stays full of water at high speeds. I assume I have a suction side leak at the red circled area in the picture. I did not install check valve so I’m not sure how it is connected to pump and don’t want to mess anything up. Other than calling pool builder is this an easy fix I may be able to do myself?

 

[1poolman1]

Hi All, this past weekend I needed to clean my cartridge filter. When I turned off my pump and released pressure from the filter, I noticed water drops slowly coming from the underside of the black pipe between pump and check valve that I circled in red. I’ve also noticed that my pump basket remains about half full of water at low speeds but stays full of water at high speeds. I assume I have a suction side leak at the red circled area in the picture. I did not install check valve so I’m not sure how it is connected to pump and don’t want to mess anything up. Other than calling pool builder is this an easy fix I may be able to do myself?

Those are glued joints if done correctly. You can't take them apart.
If you are sure that there is a small suction leak there, you can seal it with a small layer of silicone sealant at the joint. Have the pump running, apply the silicone to the space between the pump union and the check-valve body. If there is a suction leak, the silicone will be pulled into the gap and seal it. Use your finger to be sure to apply it completely around the parts. If you don't go all the way around it will always be the part you missed that has the worst leak, guaranteed.
Doesn't take much, and be sure the silicone is fresh/new as that is the most pliable time for use. A warm day also helps. Will last a long time.

For a more permanent repair, use some Plast-aid in the same manner. Be aware that, unlike the silicone, Plast-aid will etch into the plastic and it is permanent. Don't get it onto any plastic parts that you don't want it on, take the lid off the pump. It won't stick to the pump body in the same way but is very hard to remove from that different plastic, so don't get it on the area where the lid sits.

Just mix it in the cup that usually comes with the kit to a thin consistency, apply it with a finger in the same way and quickly. Gloves don't really help as the solvent in the mix will just dissolve them. The stuff that is stuck to the finger will peel off after it sets.

 

[TygerB8]

Those are glued joints if done correctly. You can't take them apart.
If you are sure that there is a small suction leak there, you can seal it with a small layer of silicone sealant at the joint. Have the pump running, apply the silicone to the space between the pump union and the check-valve body. If there is a suction leak, the silicone will be pulled into the gap and seal it. Use your finger to be sure to apply it completely around the parts. If you don't go all the way around it will always be the part you missed that has the worst leak, guaranteed.
Doesn't take much, and be sure the silicone is fresh/new as that is the most pliable time for use. A warm day also helps. Will last a long time.

For a more permanent repair, use some Plast-aid in the same manner. Be aware that, unlike the silicone, Plast-aid will etch into the plastic and it is permanent. Don't get it onto any plastic parts that you don't want it on, take the lid off the pump. It won't stick to the pump body in the same way but is very hard to remove from that different plastic, so don't get it on the area where the lid sits.

Just mix it in the cup that usually comes with the kit to a thin consistency, apply it with a finger in the same way and quickly. Gloves don't really help as the solvent in the mix will just dissolve them. The stuff that is stuck to the finger will peel off after it sets.
View attachment 578876

Thank you!