I have an 18x36 roman that is getting water behind the liner pretty bad when the pump is running. I have steps in the shallow end and on the right side is where I first start noticing water, it will go to both sides but much more noticeable on the right side. I'll also start to notice some in the deep end corner on the left side. There are currently 2 returns on the left side of the pool and a skimmer. On the right side there is a skimmer and a swimout with 2 jets. Really having trouble trying to figure out where the leak is. I'm thinking its a return on the left side, but then why is the water more noticeable on the right side? I don't notice any dampness in the yard.
Help identifying leak
- Thread starter michealmyers
- Start date
- Jun 22, 2014
- 52,194
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
Welcome to TFP! 
On a very basic level, pool leaks present themselves on the pressure side (after the pump/filter) when teh system is on. Once the pump is off however, water can seep-out from any plumbing line. But a leak behind the liner doesn't always mean it's the plumbing. Liner tears, a bad seal around steps/light, and/or water getting over the top rail are some examples. You might refer to our link below for more thoughts to help you try to pinpoint the cause.
www.troublefreepool.com
On a very basic level, pool leaks present themselves on the pressure side (after the pump/filter) when teh system is on. Once the pump is off however, water can seep-out from any plumbing line. But a leak behind the liner doesn't always mean it's the plumbing. Liner tears, a bad seal around steps/light, and/or water getting over the top rail are some examples. You might refer to our link below for more thoughts to help you try to pinpoint the cause.
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
True, just had me thinking return side since it’s noticeable more when the pump is on.
- Jun 22, 2014
- 52,194
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
Maybe tomorrow post a couple pics of the pool so we can see the set-up. Interesting that you are seeing water behind the liner in several places. That would seem to indicate quite a bit of water. Are you seeing a large water drop? A bucket test might help (both with pump on then off) to get an idea of how much water you are losing during a 24 hr period in either cycle.
- Jun 22, 2014
- 52,194
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
Looks nice, but I might be tough to see a defect in the liner with all that pattern. 
Still, I would start from the top down. With some food coloring, give the area around the skimmer faceplate a good inspection. The steps would also be suspect with seams. Light would be next. You might end-up letting the water level continue to fall to see if/where it stops. That would reveal a leak height point. But if the water level continued to fall below halfway, then I'd be hesitant to let it drop ant further so that you don't jeopardize the stability of the pool shell. Hopefully it's something you can pinpoint on your own without having to get into a plumbing issue.
Still, I would start from the top down. With some food coloring, give the area around the skimmer faceplate a good inspection. The steps would also be suspect with seams. Light would be next. You might end-up letting the water level continue to fall to see if/where it stops. That would reveal a leak height point. But if the water level continued to fall below halfway, then I'd be hesitant to let it drop ant further so that you don't jeopardize the stability of the pool shell. Hopefully it's something you can pinpoint on your own without having to get into a plumbing issue.But if it’s a hole or gasket issue would it be worse with the pump on? I’d think it would be constant with pump on or off
Here’s a spot I noticed on swimout. See how the liner isn’t flush against the wall. There’s water there also underneath
Hi, I have a bunch of questions for you. How old is your pool? Have there been any heavy rains in the area lately? Snow melt? Has it been really windy? Do you have an auto refill and if so is it on? Do you have a main drain in the deep end? Have you tried shutting off the pump for a few days to see if the water loss stops?
Water behind the liner could be from a plumbing leak, but it could also be ground water. A 1" loss of water over 4 days significant but not significant enough to float the liner in spots. It possible you have a pool leak and a ground water problem, so I'll ask questions to kind of narrow the list of possibilities.
Water behind the liner could be from a plumbing leak, but it could also be ground water. A 1" loss of water over 4 days significant but not significant enough to float the liner in spots. It possible you have a pool leak and a ground water problem, so I'll ask questions to kind of narrow the list of possibilities.
Well they identified the leak today, one of the returns is loose and shooting water behind the liner.
We just got some heavy rain also so I have some wrinkles showing up from groundwater. A couple friends asked if I had a line behind the liner to remove the water there which I don’t. Is this a big issue moving forward?
We just got some heavy rain also so I have some wrinkles showing up from groundwater. A couple friends asked if I had a line behind the liner to remove the water there which I don’t. Is this a big issue moving forward?
- Jun 22, 2014
- 52,194
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
Probably nothing you can do about the wrinkles or moisture behind the liner without removing it completely. Now that you've ID'd the source of the leak, hopefully it will slowly dissipate.
The ground water will eventually drain away from the liner. If the wrinkles are small you may be able to ease them out with a plunger when the water warms up. Otherwise draining and resetting the liner is the remedy. You did not mention how old the pool is. If it is fairly recent construction and a glue joint failed or wasn’t properly glued in the first place you may be able to make a warranty claim and include resetting the liner as part of the repair.
If you live in an area with a high water table and get frequent heavy rains you may want to look at adding a well point to manage ground water to prevent the liner from floating again.
If you live in an area with a high water table and get frequent heavy rains you may want to look at adding a well point to manage ground water to prevent the liner from floating again.
- Jan 28, 2021
- 165
- Pool Size
- 16000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus