You can keep filling it at 18 inches for as long as you need. But at some point you have to call it beyond your abilities and bring in the pros.
You may find it on your next try, or you may never find it, even with admirable efforts.
Looking for that leak in ...
- Thread starter mcleod
- Start date
You may find it on your next try, or you may never find it, even with admirable efforts.
- Jan 2, 2022
- 179
- Pool Size
- 16171
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
By the time I hit the 18 inch mark, the returns will be out of the water, so it would get me to two possible sources-the main drains or the vinyl. Thanks
- Jan 2, 2022
- 179
- Pool Size
- 16171
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Thanks to one help over the days with this. It rained last night, the pool level rose a bit, and the vinyl puffed out in more places (not even close to 18" depth). I'm going to bring in a company to find the leak. I learned a lot. Again thanks.
McLeod
- Jan 2, 2022
- 179
- Pool Size
- 16171
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Update on Pool Leak. The leak detection Company was here yesterday for 2 1/2 hours. The leak was not found in the pipes or the fittings. That leaves a leak in the vinyl as a source which was not determined yesterday. (They tried) So I'd like to ask my consiglieres a question. Do I continue to let the pool lose water for a bit longer to find the approximate level of the leak (assuming it's in the vinyl)? Or do I fill it and get on with life knowing I will have to replace it soon?
McLeod
McLeod
So there are 2 risks here.
1) the liner shifts if the water drains too far and you need a new liner. This isn't the end of the world as it's time for a new liner anyway, we'd just prefer it wasn't next Wednesday.
2) a heavy storm could cause a cave in if the water is too low, which would be the end of the world.
But you can't just have a substantial leak forever, so I would weigh how much new money I wanted to throw at an old thing (Hiring a 2nd opinion) before biting the bullet and replacing the liner. What did these guys charge for the leak detection ?
1) the liner shifts if the water drains too far and you need a new liner. This isn't the end of the world as it's time for a new liner anyway, we'd just prefer it wasn't next Wednesday.
2) a heavy storm could cause a cave in if the water is too low, which would be the end of the world.
But you can't just have a substantial leak forever, so I would weigh how much new money I wanted to throw at an old thing (Hiring a 2nd opinion) before biting the bullet and replacing the liner. What did these guys charge for the leak detection ?
- Jan 2, 2022
- 179
- Pool Size
- 16171
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Newdude, I hope you are sitting down. They charged me $0. Didn't want to charge me 'cause they didn't find the leak. I offered (time/knowledge is money and all that). My lovely bride desires to get in the pool so...I'm gonna fill it up and see what happens and plan for a new liner.
McLeod
- Jan 2, 2022
- 179
- Pool Size
- 16171
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
But I gotta think that an inch of water every 24 hours is a leak one could/should find. Oh! The leak guy who works for several pool contractors said the price of vinyl liners has been coming down of late. Dirk told me this pool would be an adventure. I wish he had been wrong.
Wow. They must be masters at their craft.
So much so, that they felt terrible the one time they lost. Keep their #.
You may wish to call a 2nd opinion anyway. Maybe company one is smart but company 2 is lucky.
If it's not the plumbing we are now looking for the proverbial needle hole in a haystack liner. There's a good deal of sq ft left to study.
- Jan 2, 2022
- 179
- Pool Size
- 16171
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
The suggestion of a 2nd opinion is worthy. I'll have to reach out 60-70miles for the next set of detectors. I spent the entire time with him. I watched, asked questions, and observed. I've got some career forensic background so was impressed with his methodology and the equipment he brought to bear–physical inspection, dye, sound, and use of low-wattage electrical current. This last being an attempt to scan the vinyl. I've been on the planet long enough to know I could be hoodwinked, but not often. He was thorough, I'll say that.
McLeod
Oh yeah. But speaking from having a trouble shooting based career, I'd rather be lucky than smart, any day of the week. I have spent hours and hours using the brains and decades of experience, and I've also randomly stumbled upon the problem 5 seconds into troubleshooting. Huh. Well LOOK at THAT !!! Lol.
- Nov 12, 2017
- 12,663
- Pool Size
- 12300
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Or so inexperienced that he doesn't even know how to run a business, let alone find a leak. (That's the cynic in me.)
Since you now have "leak detection money" still in reserve, a second opinion seems logical. Unless their minimum charge, and potential additional charges, would be better put to a new liner.
Speaking of logic: I shared something similar elsewhere recently. How old are you? How long would a new liner last? How long would this current liner last, even if you found the leak?
If the current liner is definitely going to go before you do, and a new liner is going to outlive you, then the decision is easy. Get it now and put all of this behind you. You're going to spend the money either way, might as well stop wasting time and money on the current liner.
But if you might need two more new liners in your lifetime, and stretching the life of the current one might reduce the probability of the need for a second new liner, then it might be worth finding the leak.
@Newdude, how long would a new liner last in East Texas?
That all said, of course there is the Murphy's Law factor. What are the odds that replacing the liner would open up an unforeseen can'o'worms that would double the cost of the new liner?
The flip side, McLeod, is whether you realized it or not while buying this house, assuming this is your forever home, you were always going to need to spend the money on a new liner. This isn't bad luck, it's just an expense of owning a pool (any pool, we all have had, or will have, a similar expense).
On a positive note, your liner hasn't catastrophically failed, ruining your summer or your yard (yet). The pool hasn't caved in, costing you 10s of thousands of dollars to fix. No, instead, your liner has thoughtfully warned you that it may be time, and at this point, you might very well get a new liner at the most minimum expense possible. In other words, it could have been much, much worse (and still could be), and you've been given an opportunity to get a new liner before you have a disaster happen.
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UV intensity of the specific yard could make or break that. Probably 5 to 10 years instead of 10 to 15 years.
- Jan 2, 2022
- 179
- Pool Size
- 16171
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
In my days of trouble shooting I’d often discover the problem outside the box & so was the answer. If I may, I’m gonna post this question but let me ask you if you have any advice on choosing a vinyl liner and/or installer?
McLeod
Installers are a crud shoot like with anything else construction related. Looploc is local to me and they sent their own guy to measure (likely a sub or a sub sub lol). But any issues with fit would have been entirely on them.
I'd stick with a national brand like Merlin, GLI, Latham or looploc.
I like 27 mil liners. The other ones feel too thin IMO.