We provide specialized winterization services to safeguard your pool during the off-season, and when spring arrives, we handle the thorough opening process.
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We provide specialized winterization services to safeguard your pool during the off-season, and when spring arrives, we handle the thorough opening process.
Air bubbles coming from your pool jets can indicate that air is entering the circulation system through the skimmer, cleaner hose, pump lid, suction plumbing or another damaged connection. Absolute Pools diagnoses pool suction and circulation problems across Cape Town and surrounding areas.
A small burst of air may appear briefly after the pump starts, particularly after the system has been opened for cleaning or maintenance. Continuous bubbles are different. They usually mean that air is being drawn into the system before the water reaches the pump.
The pool pump should pull a steady stream of water through the skimmer or vacuum point, move it through the filter and return it to the pool. When air enters the suction side, it travels through the equipment and comes back into the pool through the return jets.
The source may be a low water level, damaged cleaner hose, blocked skimmer, loose pump lid, worn seal, leaking valve or underground suction pipe fault.
Cape Town’s dry and windy summer conditions can lower pool water levels faster than expected. Once the level drops too far, the skimmer may begin pulling in air.
A few bubbles immediately after restarting the pump may be normal if the equipment was opened, the filter was cleaned or the pool cleaner was disconnected.
The bubbles should reduce once trapped air leaves the plumbing and the pump reaches a stable prime.
Persistent bubbles, a partially empty pump basket, weak suction or repeated priming problems usually indicate that air is entering somewhere in the system.
The problem should be checked when:
The water should normally sit high enough to cover a suitable portion of the skimmer opening.
When the level drops too low, the skimmer can form a small whirlpool and pull air into the suction pipe. That air passes through the pump and returns through the pool jets as bubbles.
Low water may be caused by evaporation, splashing, backwashing, an automatic filler problem or a hidden pool leak.
Adding water may stop the bubbles temporarily, but repeated water loss should still be investigated.
The skimmer weir is the small flap at the skimmer entrance. It helps control water flow and keeps floating debris inside the skimmer box.
If it becomes stuck in the raised position, insufficient water may enter the skimmer. The pump can then draw air into the suction line.
Leaves, debris, damaged hinges or a poorly fitted replacement flap can prevent the weir from moving correctly.
A basket packed with leaves, insects or debris restricts water entering the suction system.
The pump may continue trying to draw water, creating turbulence and pulling air into the plumbing. Suction may weaken and the automatic pool cleaner may move poorly.
The basket should be cleaned regularly, especially during windy periods or when trees drop large amounts of leaves into the pool.
Cleaner hoses can crack, split or develop loose connections as they age.
A damaged section above or close to the water surface may draw air into the suction line whenever the cleaner is connected. The bubbles may disappear after the cleaner hose is removed.
Each hose section and connector should be checked for cracks, worn ends and poor seals.
The vacuum plate, cleaner adapter and hose connection must seal properly to maintain suction.
A loose or damaged fitting can allow air to enter around the skimmer. The cleaner may lose movement, the pump basket may fill with bubbles and the return jets may release air continuously.
The connection should fit securely without excessive movement.
The clear pump lid depends on a secure fit and a sound rubber seal.
If the lid is loose, incorrectly fitted or damaged, the pump may draw air through the opening. Water may not leak out because the suction created by the pump pulls air inward instead.
The lid should be seated evenly and tightened correctly. Excessive force should be avoided because it can damage the lid or locking mechanism.
The rubber O-ring beneath the pump lid creates an airtight seal.
An O-ring that is dry, flattened, cracked, stretched or incorrectly positioned can allow air into the pump. Dirt or grit beneath the seal can produce the same problem.
The seal may need cleaning, lubrication with a suitable pool-safe product or replacement.
Pool pumps often have drain plugs near the lower section of the housing.
A loose plug or damaged plug seal can draw air into the system while the pump operates. Because the fault is on the suction side, there may be no visible water leak.
The plugs and their seals should be inspected carefully rather than overtightened.
Valves controlling the skimmer, vacuum point or main drain can allow air into the system if their seals, lids or fittings deteriorate.
The bubbles may change when a particular valve is opened or closed. This can help narrow down which suction line or valve is affected.
Cracked valve bodies and worn internal seals may require repair or replacement.
Pipe joints before the pump can develop cracks, loose unions or failed seals.
These faults may draw air while the pump runs without releasing visible water. A connection can therefore appear dry even though it is causing continuous bubbles.
Older pipework and previous repairs should be checked for movement, poor alignment and ageing fittings.
An underground suction line can draw air through a crack or failed joint while the pump operates.
The same damaged pipe may release water into the ground when the pump switches off. This can cause air bubbles, weak suction, poor priming, unexplained water loss or wet paving around the pool.
Because the pipe is buried, targeted leak detection may be needed before paving is lifted.
A damaged pump housing, lid assembly or suction-side seal may allow air into the circulation system.
The pump may become noisy, struggle to prime or show a large pocket of air beneath the clear lid.
The fault should be identified before replacing the pump, as the cause may still be a fitting or pipe immediately before it.
A pool pump needs to fill with water before it can circulate properly. When air enters through the suction system, the pump may fail to establish or maintain prime.
The pump basket may remain partly empty, water may surge intermittently and the return jets may alternate between water and air.
Repeatedly running a pump without sufficient water can damage seals and internal components. The suction leak or water-flow restriction should be addressed rather than allowing the pump to run dry.
Air entering the system reduces the pump’s ability to move water efficiently.
The pool cleaner may slow down, debris may remain on the surface and the filter may receive less water. Return flow can also become weaker or inconsistent.
Possible causes include low water, a blocked basket, damaged cleaner hose, leaking pump lid, suction valve fault or underground pipe leak.
A pump may become louder when it draws a mixture of water and air.
The sound can resemble rattling, gurgling or surging. The pump basket may also show turbulent water rather than remaining full and stable.
The system should be checked promptly because prolonged air intake can affect circulation and place strain on the pump.
Air bubbles combined with unexplained water loss can indicate a leaking skimmer connection or underground suction pipe.
While the pump runs, the damaged section may draw air into the system. Once the pump switches off, water can escape through the same fault into the surrounding soil.
Other signs may include wet paving, a falling overnight water level, poor cleaner performance or difficulty priming the pump.
The pool water level, pump behaviour and surrounding paving should be assessed together.
Some air may enter when the pump lid is removed to clean the basket.
After refitting the lid, the pump should prime and the remaining air should leave through the return jets. Persistent bubbles may mean the lid, O-ring or basket housing is not sealing correctly.
The O-ring should be clean, correctly positioned and free from cracks. The lid should sit evenly without cross-threading or trapped debris.
Air may briefly appear after backwashing or changing the multiport valve position.
The system may need a short period to restore normal circulation. The bubbles should then reduce.
If they continue, check the pool water level, skimmer, pump lid and suction connections. The timing may be coincidental rather than directly caused by backwashing.
The pump should always be switched off before changing the multiport valve position.
A newly installed pump can reveal weaknesses in older suction plumbing.
Different flow characteristics may expose loose unions, ageing valves, damaged hoses or underground pipe faults that were less noticeable with the previous pump.
The new pump should not automatically be blamed. The full suction route should be checked for air entry.
Once the water falls too low, the skimmer may begin drawing air.
This often produces visible swirling inside the skimmer opening, a noisy pump and bubbles from the return jets. Adding water to the correct level may restore circulation.
A pool that repeatedly drops below the skimmer may have an unresolved leak, faulty filler or excessive water loss that needs investigation.
Air from one return jet may still originate elsewhere in the circulation system.
The way air moves through the return plumbing can cause more bubbles to appear at the closest or highest fitting. It does not necessarily mean that the affected return jet itself is leaking.
The pump basket and all return jets should be observed before deciding where the fault lies.
Bubbles from several or all return jets usually indicate that air is entering before or at the pump.
The most common areas to check are the water level, skimmer, cleaner hose, vacuum connection, pump lid, drain plugs, valves and suction plumbing.
A large amount of air may prevent the filter and pool cleaner from working properly.
Yes. Suction-side plumbing operates under negative pressure while the pump is running.
Instead of water spraying outward, air is pulled inward through small gaps, cracks or worn seals. This is why the affected fitting may look completely dry.
After the pump switches off, the same fault may allow water to leak outward through gravity.
Air bubbles do not directly cause algae, but the underlying circulation problem can contribute to green water.
Poor suction reduces filtration and chemical distribution. The pool cleaner may stop working and debris can remain in the water.
If the pump repeatedly loses prime, the pool may receive little or no filtration during its normal operating cycle.
Repairing the air leak helps restore circulation, but the water may also need cleaning and rebalancing.
Start by checking that the water level is high enough and that the skimmer basket is clean.
Inspect the cleaner hose for cracks and ensure each section is connected securely. Remove and refit the pump lid carefully, checking that the O-ring is clean and seated correctly.
Observe whether the bubbles change when the cleaner is disconnected or when individual suction valves are adjusted.
Do not dismantle electrical or pressurised equipment without the necessary experience.
Absolute Pools checks the full suction route from the pool to the pump.
The assessment may include the water level, skimmer box, cleaner hose, vacuum connection, pump basket, lid seal, drain plugs, valves and visible suction pipework.
The pump may be observed during startup and normal operation to see where air first appears. Individual suction lines may also be isolated where the system allows it.
When an underground suction leak is suspected, targeted pool leak detection can help narrow down the affected line or section before paving is opened.
The repair depends on where air is entering the system.
Small faults may require a new O-ring, lid, drain-plug seal, hose section, union or valve component. Damaged above-ground pipes and fittings can often be repaired directly.
An underground suction pipe leak may require a targeted section of paving or soil to be opened. The damaged pipe or joint is repaired and tested before the area is reinstated.
Skimmer faults may require sealing, local rebuilding or repairs to the connected plumbing.
The pump should only be repaired or replaced after the suction system has been assessed.
A healthy pump can show air beneath the lid when the actual problem is a low water level, cleaner hose, skimmer fault or pipe leak.
Pump repair may be appropriate when the lid assembly, housing, seals or motor components are damaged. Replacement may be more practical when the pump is old, cracked, unsafe or repeatedly failing.
Absolute Pools diagnoses air bubbles, suction leaks and circulation problems across Cape Town and surrounding areas, including the Northern Suburbs, Southern Suburbs, Atlantic Seaboard, Cape Town City Bowl, West Coast suburbs and Helderberg.
Service areas include Durbanville, Bellville, Brackenfell, Kraaifontein, Parow, Goodwood, Milnerton, Table View, Parklands, Blouberg, Century City, Pinelands, Rondebosch, Claremont, Newlands, Constantia, Tokai, Wynberg, Plumstead, Hout Bay, Sea Point, Green Point, Camps Bay, Somerset West, Strand, Gordon’s Bay, Stellenbosch, Paarl and surrounding areas.
Absolute Pools considers the complete suction system rather than assuming the pool pump is automatically at fault.
We assist with skimmer box repairs, suction pipe repairs, pump repairs, cleaner hose problems, pool leak detection and circulation faults.
Our focus is on finding where air enters the system and restoring reliable water flow through the pump, filter and return jets.
Continuous bubbles from the pool jets can indicate a suction leak that affects filtration, cleaner performance and pump operation.
Contact Absolute Pools for pool suction fault diagnosis and repairs across Cape Town and surrounding areas.