Leak started after pipe was cleared of clog

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showybee

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Dec 14, 2013
4
My leak started after a repairman came out and cleared by clogged line. Pool is now leaking, so we had a diver come out and did ink test. He said there was a small liner tear and fixed it, but no other leaks. BUT...the pool is still leaking after closing the pool. Could the clearing of the lines have broke something in the lines? The water is below both the skimmers and return lines, so the leak is not there. The repairman man who cleared the lines, does not want to answer my questions. Now What?

Mod Edit: I deleted your duplicate post in THIS thread. jblizzle
 
He could have blown a line apart or blown a seal in a valve.
You need to contact the company that he works for and let them know that it started leaking after he unclogged the line. Make sure you document every communication.

Right now you need to determine how much it's leaking and where the leak is. Run the bucket test as outlined in the leak detection article in pool school. Report back what it shows and we'll go from there.
 
I have cleared many lines using compressed air, very common practice. PVC and it's glue joints are rated to 300 psi cold, no way he got them near that high with a standard compressor.

Not saying it didnt break something, but I am saying it is unlikely.

You said it is below the skimmer and returns, which line did he clear?

More likely scenario is the diver missed a hole or 2.
 

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Leak Specialist....I know it's a common practice, but keep the compressor regulation well below 30 psi if you're going to do it. 300 psi hydraulic rating on pipe and fittings is not the same as psi for pneumatics on PVC pipe.

I've specialized in irrigation, waterworks, and pipe supply for a number of years, for the most recent 13 as a PVC pipe manufacturer.

It's quite a common practice to winterize irrigation and pool lines using air, but keep the pressure loooowwwww. You want the air volume, not the pressure.

I've seen some nasty blow outs, damage, and injuries caused by over jacking a system with high pressure air.

There's a lot of valving and other components that don't behave well under air pressure. And PVC will explode with sharp shards if care is not taken. Part of the problem is that air under compression can heat up severely. And 200 psi pipe (rated at 73 degrees F) becomes 30-40 psi pipe at 140 degrees F.

As a manufacturer of the stuff, we prefer and recommend that you don't do it at all.
 
Considering that 99% of the time when removing obstructions the other end of the pipe is open, ie not plugged no real pressure build up, I fail to see the problem or the "danger" frankly. I've blown golf balls, hot wheels, thermometers, undergarments and all manner of other things out of skimmer lines.

One thing, I don't use a compressor most do but I do not. The way I feed compressed air will remain a secret and is extremely controllable.

Considering most pools operate at 12-15 psi max, 30 or less is unlikely to remove anything. Also snakes designed for plumbing are used in 2" or greater lines... So that leaves us with pressurizing the line as an only resort.

I have had plugs blow out of 6" lines under air pressure measured by the gauge at 10 psi, effective pressure on the plug being much much greater, trust me I realize the forces at work here.

What I'm getting at is on a 1.5" line even 60 psi is not nearly as explosive, dangerous or destructive as it has been made out here.
 
Please don't misunderstand, LS.....I have no problem with someone like you who does this for a living and knows what to watch out for.

My original post was intended for average Joe do-it-yourself who may read such posts about use of compressed air and runs down to "Rentals R Us" to get that trailer towed compressor and hits the piping with high pressure to get his daughter's Barbie doll head out of the line.

Air pressure can be a dangerous thing for the unsuspecting. It takes less than 3 psi to hold up the "inflatable" roofs on some domed stadiums.
 
OK guys, we've strayed from the issue long enough. :)
Using air or not is moot at this point, what's done is done. Let's get back to the OP's problem.

showybee said:
there is a bottom drain. The bottom drain is what was cleared. the liner is 10 years old
Click to expand...

Does the bottom drain run all the way back to the equipment pad?
Did they blow air from the equipment pad through the bottom?

How much is leaking per day?
 
My apologies too.....was trying to work my way through a conversation to answer the original question of whether or it not was possible that the repairman caused additional damage.

IMO it's quite possible, but mid-thread we discovered that it's a 10 year old liner.

I think in this case that Showybee may end up chasing leak after leak, regardless of whether or not the "tech" actually caused more damage or not. It would be pretty tough to prove.
 
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