My pool is leaking. It has apparently been going on for years and I didn't notice until my water bill went way up. Originally I blamed my plant watering system and then discovered it was the pool leaking. The pool has a self water leval valve that maintains the water leval. I had a valve installed in the water line and shut off the water going to the pool. I also shut down the pool pumps so there is no water being circulated. The city charges me for waste water based on 3 months average (January, Feburary , March) then charges a flat fee for the remaining 9 months reguardless if you return any waste water to the city. Because of that, I have not added any water to the pool. I will wait untill I am out of the months that they use to average usage. My pool is a Paddock Pool installed in 2007 by the former home owner. Paddock pools is now out of business but I do have the original plans/drawings. Unfortunitly the drawings do not show the return line locations. The locations were apparently installed at the discression of the installers. Having said all that, I have noticed that on occasion I witness bubbles coming out of one of the return lines. That I believe is where the water leak is at (duh) but there is no indication of water near that return line. My concern is are all four return lines connected? Where would that connection be, at the pump location or under the pool? I believe they must be connected and the bubbles are just following the line of least resistance. Two return lines on each side of the pool. Would the return lines be a short distance away from the pool or actually in the concrete structure of the pool? I neglected to say it's a pebble deck pool. So any advice would be appreciated. I plan on contacting some professional help here in the Mesa AZ area but it seems that everyone is an expert on weekly maintinance but not pool leaks. This is a bit overwelming. Thanks for any help you may offer.
My inground pool is leaking. I see bubbles comming out of one of the return lines
- Thread starter itybitybob
- Start date
- Dec 13, 2020
- 905
- Pool Size
- 19600
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Jandy Aquapure 1400
I'm sure the experts will have advice, but one thing to note is that bubbles result from air being sucked into plumbing on the pump inlet side rather than the return side. That air gets pumped through the system and shows up at the returns. The same flaws that let air in can leak water out, especially when the pump is off.
Bob,
How long has it been since you shut off the water, and how far has the water dropped, since you shut it off?
Usually all the return lines are connected together.. Generally, at or near the pool, and outside of the gunite shell.. It really depends on where the equipment pad is in relation to the pool..
I am not sure a few bubbles would be any kind of proof of a leak.
You have an auto fill.. Do you also have an over flow line?? If so, it could be as simple as the auto-fill leaking into the over flow line. This happens quite a lot.
Thanks,
Jim R.
How long has it been since you shut off the water, and how far has the water dropped, since you shut it off?
Usually all the return lines are connected together.. Generally, at or near the pool, and outside of the gunite shell.. It really depends on where the equipment pad is in relation to the pool..
I am not sure a few bubbles would be any kind of proof of a leak.
You have an auto fill.. Do you also have an over flow line?? If so, it could be as simple as the auto-fill leaking into the over flow line. This happens quite a lot.
Thanks,
Jim R.
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You do not indicate how your pool is chlorinated. A salt water pool with a SWCG will have bubbles in the return.
Most likely all return lines are connected that wrap around the pool. All would be underground. Show a photo of your equipment pad - both the suction and return lines.
Thanks for your reply. I have had everything, Water and pumps, off for a couple of months because of the way the city charges for the wastewater fee. Water leval now down around 4 to 5 inches. I have maintained the water leval just above the step/platform. I don't believe I have an over flow line. The bubbles occure intermitinly but I do see them every day. They will show for a few minutes then stop, then I'll notice them again after some time. It's odd to me as I have nothing on, no water no pumps. I agree that the return lines are connected., the zillion $ question is where is that location? I am going to respond to another fellow who responded with some photo's if I can figure out how to post them. Thanks againBob,
How long has it been since you shut off the water, and how far has the water dropped, since you shut it off?
Usually all the return lines are connected together.. Generally, at or near the pool, and outside of the gunite shell.. It really depends on where the equipment pad is in relation to the pool..
I am not sure a few bubbles would be any kind of proof of a leak.
You have an auto fill.. Do you also have an over flow line?? If so, it could be as simple as the auto-fill leaking into the over flow line. This happens quite a lot.
Thanks,
Jim R.
Thank you for your reply. My pool is not a saltwater pool. I replied to another fellow who offered advise. I have had everything off for a couple of months so I don't believe I am producing the bubbles. I have attached some photos, not sure they are any help. As I said I have not had anything running for some time now. No water, no pumps, no solar heater nothing. Looks like there is going to be some serious digging going on. Thanks again for your advise.
Attachments
Bob,
Please show me a couple of pics of your auto-fill, with the lid off, looking down.
Thanks,
Jim R.
Please show me a couple of pics of your auto-fill, with the lid off, looking down.
Thanks,
Jim R.