Risk of cover leak when using automatic sump pump?

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goody222

goody222

Silver Supporter
Feb 6, 2018
184
Chesapeake, VA
Pool Size
21000
Surface
Vinyl
Chlorine
Salt Water Generator
SWG Type
Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
The last 2 years I've rested my automatic sump pump on top of my solid pool cover (just a big tarp). Its been so nice not having to worry about water on my cover. However, I was thinking to myself, what if my pool cover developed a leak? The sump would just run continuously until it basically drained the pool! With all that exposure to the elements, my pool cover will eventually spring a leak. Of course I always look for a leak when I first place it on. Any ideas on how to prevent this? Thanks!!
 
If the cover pump is draining water from your pool your pool cover will sink into the pool. You will see the pool cover is lower then normal when you look at the pool. That should be an indication something is wrong.

I look at my pool everyday and simply doing that lets me see if things are the way I expect.
 
ajw22 said:
If the cover pump is draining water from your pool your pool cover will sink into the pool. You will see the pool cover is lower then normal when you look at the pool. That should be an indication something is wrong.

I look at my pool everyday and simply doing that lets me see if things are the way I expect.
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I guess I'll try to glance at it every day, but even so, what if the leak starts at 9pm and I don't notice until I get home from work at 5pm the next day.

Actually, using rope and 2 cinder blocks opposite each other, I might string up the pump with no slack so it would be suspended in mid air if level drops too far. Not ideal but better than nothing.
 
I see you have gotten some good suggestions .. However I cut a 3/4inch piece of plywood 30inches square glued some 5inch square Styrofoam blocks on each corner, drilled a hole in the center for the pump exactly the correct size leaving the pump 1/8inch off the cover. Connected the hose and power put it in the center of the pool.
This has worked well for me over the last 4 years.
 
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bligh said:
I see you have gotten some good suggestions .. However I cut a 3/4inch piece of plywood 30inches square glued some 5inch square Styrofoam blocks on each corner, drilled a hole in the center for the pump exactly the correct size leaving the pump 1/8inch off the cover. Connected the hose and power put it in the center of the pool.
This has worked well for me over the last 4 years.
Click to expand...
So, do you do that for stability and ease of pump placement? Not sure how it would prevent the pool from draining due to a cover leak?
 
Hmmmm .. I do it like that to keep the pump bottom (suction side) off the pool cover, if one were to have a leak in a sperate area it would pump the pool water out.
So, water (rain) in center of pool near pump OK....water elsewhere without rain would indicate cover leak . This does provide a stable platform for the pump.
 
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Which cover pump do you use? I use a simple Baracuda pump but it's only running when it's plugged in and has power, but have thought about replacing it with one that has an auto on/off so I wouldn't have to keep my eye on it so it doesn't run dry.
 
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