What’s a Wet End?

I tend to procrastinate.

What happens is that when I see something that needs doing, I’ll get the parts, then drag my feet getting the job done. Usually these wind up going easy, making me wonder why I didn’t just do it when I should have in the first place.

It was that way with the spa. One of the zones was barely pushing water. And unfortunately, it was a two speed pump that doubles as the circulation pump. That’s what’s generally keeping the water clean (pushing it through the filter) and warm.

A new pump like that is an eye popping 400-500 bucks. And that’s money I’ll never see. Herself would never pay that.

Awhile back, when I was sizing up what to do about this, I reasoned that the pump motor was fine, and it was the pump part that was rattling and doing an overall shitty job. So went to see if I could buy just the pump.

Turns out you can, and it’s called a ‘wet end’. Makes sense. That’s where the wet goes. They are a reasonable $89. So I bought one.

And it sat.

Last weekend, I sucked it up and got busy.

Here’s the offending pump:

That thing with a t-handle is a slice valve. There’s one on the input to the heater too , so I could isolate this pump. All I had to do is undo the pipes, slide the pump back and out.

Whatever could go wrong?

Wasn’t tough. I got it out.

That’s where my luck ran out.

There’s a flat screw slot on the end of the shaft. All I should have had to do is grab the impeller and twist the shaft with a big screwdriver to unscrew it.

Nope. Stuck. Pump had to come out.

And come apart.

When I took the face off the wet end I found the problem, behold:

Ain’t got no more blades! Man! What the hell happened? The pump’s Chinese. Does chinesium come in plastic?

Should look like this:

Anyhow, got it back together.

Only thing missing was a tap for a bleeder hose. I figured I’d use the old one.

Nope. New pump design. Had to put it back in without and order the part. When I saw the youtube on this, the dude said it doesn’t come with the taps you’d have to buy them. But he didn’t say why.

Oh well. That’s an easy job when it shows up.

Got it all back in, no leaks, and fired it up. Before connecting the output, I held it over the ground and opened the valve to drain out whatever plastic pieces I could. Twenty or thirty gallons later, I closed it up. There were a few big chunks and some little ones.

That did it. Got some hella pressure out the jets now.

It’s been running a few days, so I cleaned the filter. Lots of tiny plastic bits.

So, $89, a little sweat, and it’s done. Just in time to list this place.

I’m going to miss it. For most of the time we had it, I rarely used it. But since Herself left, I use it every day. I start my day by letting the dogs out, and soaking in the 103 degree water. I’m usually sore in the morning from the previous day’s activity and exercise.

Works better, faster, and is way more healthy than Tylenol.

I get out really mellow, sit in the sunroom to pray, then start my day.