Rapid leak

[SkipperLikesToFish]

Hi everyone,

I awoke this morning to discover that the water level was low (about 1” below tile). I immediately began adding water (the pump was not yet on). I set the water hose on a 1 hr timer and shuffled around the house. When I circled back around to check the pool, the water level was 4” lower.

Let me clarify, when I first began adding water, the pool was already about 4” too low. While the water hose was running, the water level still dropped faster than it could be added. There is no surface water visible around the pump, the filter or the heater/cooler. With no visible cracks and applying deductive reasoning, I feel like this is the main drain. Anyone?

 

[1poolman1]

Hi everyone,

I awoke this morning to discover that the water level was low (about 1” below tile). I immediately began adding water (the pump was not yet on). I set the water hose on a 1 hr timer and shuffled around the house. When I circled back around to check the pool, the water level was 4” lower.

Let me clarify, when I first began adding water, the pool was already about 4” too low. While the water hose was running, the water level still dropped faster than it could be added. There is no surface water visible around the pump, the filter or the heater/cooler. With no visible cracks and applying deductive reasoning, I feel like this is the main drain. Anyone?

View attachment 527650

Main drain is not an actual drain, like a sink drain. If that picture is where the water stops, suspect the light conduit. Could be the main drain line. A leak detection company would be a good call.

 

[Bperry]

Hi everyone,

I awoke this morning to discover that the water level was low (about 1” below tile). I immediately began adding water (the pump was not yet on). I set the water hose on a 1 hr timer and shuffled around the house. When I circled back around to check the pool, the water level was 4” lower.

Let me clarify, when I first began adding water, the pool was already about 4” too low. While the water hose was running, the water level still dropped faster than it could be added. There is no surface water visible around the pump, the filter or the heater/cooler. With no visible cracks and applying deductive reasoning, I feel like this is the main drain. Anyone?

View attachment 527650

Is the pump on and is there a waste line that has water exiting? That’s a big leak to just be passively leaking.

 

[Mdragger88]

Whats the green square ?
If it stops after passing the light you may have your answer & go on to suspect the drain.
Is your yard wet anywhere?
What about around your equipment?
Can you show a picture of all the equipment & valves?

 

[SkipperLikesToFish]

Main drain is not an actual drain, like a sink drain. If that picture is where the water stops, suspect the light conduit. Could be the main drain line. A leak detection company would be a good call.

I see, I took another picture and attached it - the waterline is below the pool light now by approx 8-9” and still draining. We put a silicone mat over the bottom drain, trying to slow the water release.

24 hours ago, we had a full pool that was fully operational, below is where we are now

 

[SkipperLikesToFish]

Whats the green square ?
If it stops after passing the light you may have your answer & go on to suspect the drain.
Is your yard wet anywhere?
What about around your equipment?
Can you show a picture of all the equipment & valves?

No surface water is visible at all, we put a green silicone mat over the bottom drain trying to slow it down. As soon as the sun rises here, I will take a picture of the equipment. All of the equipment and the area surrounding it is dry.

 

[SkipperLikesToFish]

Is the pump on and is there a waste line that has water exiting? That’s a big leak to just be passively leaking.

I agree, the pump is off and the pool water valve (along with the rest of the equipment is dry. No signs of water on the surface at all. I will post a picture of the equipment once it’s daylight here. This is a picture I just snapped of the waterline currently.

 

[Texas Splash]

That much water loss in such a short time. Wow. Seems like either a serious break in the drain line, hydrostatic valve stuck open, or a syphoning water loss to WASTE back at the pad.

 

[Bperry]

I agree, the pump is off and the pool water valve (along with the rest of the equipment is dry. No signs of water on the surface at all. I will post a picture of the equipment once it’s daylight here. This is a picture I just snapped of the waterline currently.

Are you very near a pond, stream, lake, ocean, etc? Curious if high water table opened the hydrostatic valve and then stuck open.

 

[SkipperLikesToFish]

That much water loss in such a short time. Wow. Seems like either a serious break in the drain line, hydrostatic valve stuck open, or a syphoning water loss to WASTE back at the pad.

 

[SkipperLikesToFish]

All of this in less than 24 hours. The equipment area is dry and there is no evidence of water leaking anywhere. The entire pool had to have drained underground

 

[SkipperLikesToFish]

24 hours since I noticed the water level dropping faster than I could fill it - equipment & surface is dry. See pics

 

[SkipperLikesToFish]

Are you very near a pond, stream, lake, ocean, etc? Curious if high water table opened the hydrostatic valve and then stuck open.

We are about 6 miles from the ocean in South FL

 

[Texas Splash]

Seems odd to have a line break down there all of a sudden. I would pull the drain cover and inspect the hydrostatic valve. That's the only thing that makes sense to me at the moment.

 

[SkipperLikesToFish]

Seems odd to have a line break down there all of a sudden. I would pull the drain cover and inspect the hydrostatic valve. That's the only thing that makes sense to me at the moment.

I think you’re on to something, I was just reading about HV’s. Being a new pool owner, we had no idea it was recommended to have this valve replaced every 5 years (so I read).

 

[SkipperLikesToFish]

Hi everyone,

I awoke this morning to discover that the water level was low (about 1” below tile). I immediately began adding water (the pump was not yet on). I set the water hose on a 1 hr timer and shuffled around the house. When I circled back around to check the pool, the water level was 4” lower.

Let me clarify, when I first began adding water, the pool was already about 4” too low. While the water hose was running, the water level still dropped faster than it could be added. There is no surface water visible around the pump, the filter or the heater/cooler. With no visible cracks and applying deductive reasoning, I feel like this is the main drain. Anyone?

View attachment 527650

24 hours after first noticing the water level was dropping - see pics. As a couple of folks have mentioned on this thread, I’m leaning towards Hydrostatic Valve. Thoughts?

 

[Bperry]

24 hours after first noticing the water level was dropping - see pics. As a couple of folks have mentioned on this thread, I’m leaning towards Hydrostatic Valve. Thoughts?

The water will be down to that location any minute so seems a good thing to check. Would also be good to have the drain pressure tested for a break. Something that large should be very easy to find.

 

[wireform]

If you can pull the drain cover off and put dye in there to see where in there it gets sucked in.....

 

[Bperry]

If you can pull the drain cover off and put dye in there to see where in there it gets sucked in.....

That’s a great idea.

 

[Mdragger88]

If you’re ground water is high in your area (which is likely) you are going to want to get this remedied asap so you can get water back in the pool. Being completely empty can cause it to pop out of the ground. It is also bad for your plaster to dry out. Get a sprinkler set up to keep it wet.