Return Leak

[toolman]

I have an in-ground fiberglass pool with a leak in the return line of the skimmer. Is there any way of repairing this without tearing up the concrete deck? Do they make some kind of insert that would go in the return line to repair it?

Thanks

 

[linen]

Welcome to tfp, toolman

Sounds like you leak is on the suction side (since you refer to the skimmer) and not the return side. Are you getting air in you pump leaf basket?

 

[toolman]

It is in the return line from the skimmer. There is no air getting in the pump and I'm still able to vacuum the pool OK but if I run the pump with that line open the earth under the concrete deck begins to cave in. What I've been doing is just running the pump with out the skimmer return and only using the skimmer return to vacuum.

Thanks

 

[toolman]

Yes it is the suction side not the return.

Thanks

 

[Bama Rambler]

Normally a suction side leak won't leak water out when it's running especially when a vacuum is hooked to it. And they almost always create air in the pump basket.

Can you take a pic of the issue you're having.

How are you shutting off the flow from the skimmer?

 

[toolman]

I can turn off the skimmer by turning the ball valve and just using the 2 other suction spots in the bottom of the pool.

 

[Bama Rambler]

But there will still be water in the lines even when you turn it off. Are you losing water in the pool? If you have an autofill it may be masking it.

 

[toolman]

Yes I am losing water, this is one of the reasons I'm trying to find out if anyone has ever heard of someone making an insert to go into the vacuum line, or do I just need to bust out all the concrete to fix this.

 

[Bama Rambler]

They make inserts for pressure lines and even they don't work very well, but no insert for a suction line.

You may be able to tunnel to the leak if it's not too far under the deck.

 

[toolman]

Ok thanks for all your help