Could it be a water leak?

[bbrock]

Hello TFP’ers. I live in the East Bay Area of Northern California. Pool temperature this night right is 53. Daytime temps today were about 57 mid morning to 64 high.

Ever since the summer, I seem to still be adding water. I’m performing the bucket test right now since about 5 PM as I’m concerned. I disposed of my 8 mill solar cover couple months ago because it was just disintegrating at edges.

i’m gonna perform the bucket test first, and running the pump as usual. But then investigate if I should be testing both with the pump on, and pump off

questions/comments:
1. Do I prefer in the bucket test only over 24 hours, or longer?
2. pool was resurfaced from plaster to wet edge satin matrix November 2018. I cannot recall having to add water as much last year, but last year I kept my solar cover on all year. So perhaps I don’t remember adding it as much last year because the cover was on. With the temperatures I just gave you, it be in November, they’re not being a massive difference in pool and air temperature, would a 8 mill solar cover be the difference between this much of evaporation and not?

thanks

 

[Texas Splash]

24 hours should be long enough to give you an indication as to a leak or not. The page below has more details if you haven't seen it already. Evaporation probably isn't such a big influence this time of year, but wind sure could be. WIth no cover, that might be one area to consider.

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

 

[Jimrahbe]

B,

How much water do you lose each day? 1", an 1/8th inch or ???

Jim R.

 

[bbrock]

24 hours should be long enough to give you an indication as to a leak or not. The page below has more details if you haven't seen it already. Evaporation probably isn't such a big influence this time of year, but wind sure could be. WIth no cover, that might be one area to consider.

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

Thanks TexasSplash!

Yes, I referred to that webpage prior to performing the test. I started last night approximately 1700. This morning at about 1000, it appears that the pool and the bucket are neck and neck with the approximate same amount of water loss. For reference, overnight it got down to about 37 degrees; pool water 53°.

 

[bbrock]

B,

How much water do you lose each day? 1", an 1/8th inch or ???

Jim R.

So far, the water inside the bucket and the pool water outside the bucket are pretty equivalent in their levels. Since a bucket test start time of 1700 last night to 1130 today, it approx. a loss of 5/32" of an inch for both.

I used this calculator Anderson Manufacturing Company, Inc. found here Evaporation of Pool Water - Further Reading

Using my zip code, water temp of 53 degrees, wind shelter of minimal to typical (typical is probably accurate), and water movement of normal, evaporation is about 0.0 in/day to 0.1 in/day. Next I looked at this chart to see exactly where 0.1 inch lies in comparison to other measurements (https://viadon.com/Portals/1/Viadon/Images/conversionchartviadon.pdf). So, it appears that according to the calculator it should be a loss of 0.0 per day to 7/64 inch (which is the fraction closest to 0.1 inch per day). Right now, 5/32" is 0.16 inch, and this is over what is stated in the calculator.

 

[bbrock]

Again, if I recall correctly, I don't believe I was topping off as much last year at this same time. I really wonder if the contributing variable was the 8 mill cover. Side tangent, since I have a kidney shaped pool with a raised step on one side, I don't have the space to use a cover roller. Once I used the DIY solar cover rollers idea by Mas985. However, now I just cut the cover in half width wise and roll it up solo or with wife. Next cover, I may buy a 12 mill (or 10 mill if they make it) cover and cut in 4 pieces to make it easier to lift for out of water for her. That way, the extra thickness should hopefully last longer than 2 seasons especially if I leave it on continuously.

 

[Jimrahbe]

B,

A solar cover will keep the evaporation rate way down..

If you don't see a significant difference between the water loss in the pool and the water loss in the bucket, it means that you do not have a leak. I would run the test for at least 24 hours.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[bbrock]

Got it Jim. Thx.

The expiration of 24 hr will be at approx. 1700 today.

I just didn't think and/or recall that evaporation plays a role in water loss in cold air temps/water temps, but it appears it still does. Thus, I guess it could be beneficial to leave the solar blanket/cover on all seasons to prevent evaporation and water loss due to wind.

 

[Jimrahbe]

B,

Each pool owner is different.. I like the view of my pool and would find a cover not to my liking.. I have to add fill water to my pool about every 10 days or so.. Sometimes more often and sometimes less.. I don't find adding water to be much of an chore and water is not very expensive here.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[bbrock]

Yes, I concur in that I do truly having the cover off, or when I am between covers b/c it allows for a quick dip vs. the headache of uncover/recover.

So, at after approx. 24 hr, I discovered the test revealed that the bucket and pool lose about 6/32 of an in. So, it's a negative test. Phew! Great information and learning process. Keep learning something new about my pool all the time.

Thanks Jim and TexasSplash for your quick responses and helpful information!
B