Pool leak

[PoolDad2]

We just purchased a home with an inground vinyl lined 25k gallon pool and a Hayward SP2602VSP pump with a sand filter and a Goldline Saltwater system. We came from about the same size pool with a DE filter and older 3/4 hp single stage pump that was on a timer and Goldline Salt system.

At our old place we never had to add water unless we went two full weeks without rain and full sunlight. Then the water would be near the bottom of the skimmer. We try to keep it above half way.

Seems this new place pool we have to add water every week. The previous owners said it would loose about 1/2" a day to evaporation. I say that is way off. I'm thinking there is a leak. The distance and location of this pool and our other place is about 70 miles, the only difference is we are only about a half mile from the intercoastal water way and the beach inland where out other pool was 70 miles inland here in eastern NC. New home is in Wilmington NC.

I just don't see that much evaporation happening, am I wrong?

If there is a leak, what is the best way to find it? The pool liner is 4yrs old according to the previous owners.

Also, I need to learn how to take care of a sand filter since I'm use to the cleanings of a DE along with filter pressures.

Recommendations on a good pool specialist if I need one. I pretty much take care of what I can and have embraced the knowledge and support on this sight and appreciate Troublefreepools.com very much.

Thanks for all and any help.

 

[PoolGate]

This is a good article on leak detection.

Leak Detection

A number of things can cause leaks in your pool. You can learn tricks for leak detection and how to pinpoint where your pool is losing water.

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[mknauss]

Are your salt and cya levels dropping?

 

[PoolDad2]

Are your salt and cya levels dropping?

We have not been in the house, long enough to tell. When we moved in the salt was at 2700. It is currently at 3600, so with in the next few weeks we will see. I know it the salt goes down then there is a leak since it will not go down from evaporation. Same with cya.

 

[PoolDad2]

After reading on here and looking at my system. I get air in my pump basket, especially when I put the pump on high. So that pretty much tells me that there is a leak in the pipes. I tried to isolate it from main drain to skimmers by turning off the main drain supply and then watching the air bubbles. Seems that turning off the main drain supply and waiting and then turning off the skimmer supply and waiting there isn't any difference in the amount of air in the pump basket. Seems there is a leak in both lines. Now the fun is trying to find the leaks and fixing them. This is going to get expensive I believe.

 

[mknauss]

A suction side leak is rarely in the piping. Check all connections, valves, and the pump basket lid. Lubricate, use plastic wrap around them, etc, to see what stops the air.

 

[PoolGate]

my guess is basket lid. #1 leakpoint. Run a hose over it.

 

[PoolDad2]

Sorry for getting back so late. I've been busy building a ramp so it will be easier to get our daughter into the house. Also now with this hurricane coming we are getting things ready for that. I'll do as directed and check the pump basket. 3it possible for the ball valves that shut off the skimmers and main drain can pull air from them as well? I'll put plastic wrap around them and pure water over them.

The think is it went down now 3" in a 24hr period and all around the pump and piping is dry.

Again, sorry for replying so late. I appreciate all the help. Stinks that we didn't have the pool inspected 100% before we purchased the house. Live and learn.

 

[1Sammy]

How long are you running the pump as if a suction leaks it will not leak much when the pump is running. To lose that amount of water it sounds like it is being pushed out under pressure or a bad tear that you should be able to see.

 

[PoolDad2]

Well after some long time trouble shooting, using dye and turning everything off, there was a leak at the main drain. Pulled the cover off and there was abut a half inch of gasket missing. Then found a leak at the aerators on each side of the stairs. Capping them off. What a mess it is going to be breaking up the concrete. Just hope this is all a good fix and nothing else leaks.

 

[PoolDad2]

Looks like we still have a leak. Pool water goes down about 3" in 5 days. The main drain was rechecked and is good. So now to locate where it might be leaking now. Stay tuned.

 

[azxd09]

Initially you mentioned the bubbles remained when you shut off the main drain and ran just from the skimmer. If that is the case, was the skimmer line checked as well? What was done to repair the main drain?

 

[PoolDad2]

From what I can tell the pool lost about 3" in 4 days. The main drain was found to have some of the gasket material missing. They used what looked like puddy to fix it and when they came back after two weeks to check it since we still have a leak, the dye didn't get sucked in and just hung around the drain so that leak is fixed.

The one return jet had small bubbles coming out of it. Even after shutting off the skimmers and only pulling from the main drain.

To keep from loosing so much water so fast until the leak is found, was looking at having my variable pump shut off some. Problem is if I do this, it is my understanding I will have to put a timer on the SWG.

Now that it is getting colder and this coming week we are supposed to be down to the mid 30's, which is not normal for here. Getting the leak guys back out might be hard. It seems, at least here in eastern NC finding someone that will do what they say when it comes to this specific thing, it is hard to find reliability, if that makes sense.

When they found the leak by the stairs and at the one joint half way from the stairs to the pump I was kind of happy and hoping that was it. Those two leaks were pretty large from the mess it made when they uncovered them from the dirt. But it seems there is another one someware. All the joints and pump have been double checked as have the gaskets around the pool light and the skimmers.