Here’s an update. After having the original pump installed water is flowing again. It took about 10-15min for the pump to gain full suction though. Initially, water started to trickle through the pump’s inlet, then it gradually increased its stream as I let the air out though the relief valve. Not sure whether it is normal or not to take that long, but I can’t seem to detect any visible leaks in piping after having run overnight. Now I need to test the other pump this evening. My hunch is that it’s going to work just fine and that I should have just let it run while installed to gain full suction, but I’m a noob after all…
New indoor pool owner
- Thread starter kokot
- Start date
I was finally able to test the other pump offline. What I did was connected its inlet with PVC pipe and dipped it into the pool and connected another PVC pipe to the outlet. As soon as I applied power, water started to spurt out of the outlet pipe at rapid rate. I do not know how representative this test is though.
What I also noticed, after being w/o power for four days, is that the water level dropped about 1” in those few days. It is definitely not evaporation as it has been very cold around here. Also, when I first turned back the pump the water started to bubble with air and I ended up letting excess air out though the relief valve. How does one go about leaky plumbing? Are there any DIY pressure test kits available? What is the likelihood of a leak in the underground pipes and how can you remedy w/o digging? TIA
What I also noticed, after being w/o power for four days, is that the water level dropped about 1” in those few days. It is definitely not evaporation as it has been very cold around here. Also, when I first turned back the pump the water started to bubble with air and I ended up letting excess air out though the relief valve. How does one go about leaky plumbing? Are there any DIY pressure test kits available? What is the likelihood of a leak in the underground pipes and how can you remedy w/o digging? TIA
when i first start my equipment back up to begin the swim season I put my hose in the pump and fill it and the pipes up for about 5 minutes to help prime. There have been times where I needed to do this multiple times just to get it primed.
Underground leak detection often involves hiring a professional who will use various techniques to locate the leak (bubbling air through the pipes, pressure testing, listening for leak with special hydrophone equipment, etc.) These types of leaks are often best fixed by digging up the line and patching, often leak detection specialist can pinpoint the leak within a few inches, but expect to pay $300+ for their services. There are magic in a bottle options, most notably Marliq fix-a-leak, but results do vary, I had a small underground leak a year or so ago and used it with good results so far, although it did take 3 treatments over a week or two for it to fully seal the leak. One problem with this product is it can clog pool filters, in my case I could isolate off the leaking line and flush it out after each treatment. How long it will hold I don't know, but so far so good. I have also had two previous underground pipe leaks that involved the jack hammer approach (pool was built in 1980).
Now my original pump won't even prime after being off for two days (power outage). I've tried running water with a hose for a few minutes w/o any success.
I continue to lose water - about an inch per week or so. Sounds to me like a leak.
I'm definitely having a pool expert come out to assess the situation. Trouble is that I'm yet to find one, as most of the places I called won't do any leak tests, just the diagnosis with recommendations.
I continue to lose water - about an inch per week or so. Sounds to me like a leak.
I'm definitely having a pool expert come out to assess the situation. Trouble is that I'm yet to find one, as most of the places I called won't do any leak tests, just the diagnosis with recommendations.
Try calling a leak detection company not a pool company, with luck with can place an X marks the spot then you can get a pool repair company or a plumber or handyman to fix the leak.
I called American Leak Detection folks today and they seem to have been very helpful. They will come out to do various leak tests including diving in the pool to inspect skimmers and other potential sources of leaks.
Before I shell out $400 for their services (average of 2h at $200/h) they advised to do a bucket test to determine how much water I'm actually losing per day.
At the same time I've tried to get the pump to work again. Interestingly enough, I'm able to get some circulation going in the pool with placing a hose with running water to the filter basket to the point where water fills up the sand filter. However, as soon as I take the hose out and put the cover back on the basket circulation stops and water level slowly drops in the sand filter.
K
Before I shell out $400 for their services (average of 2h at $200/h) they advised to do a bucket test to determine how much water I'm actually losing per day.
At the same time I've tried to get the pump to work again. Interestingly enough, I'm able to get some circulation going in the pool with placing a hose with running water to the filter basket to the point where water fills up the sand filter. However, as soon as I take the hose out and put the cover back on the basket circulation stops and water level slowly drops in the sand filter.
K
$400 is not a bad price, I paid $375 just to get a guy to show up a few years back, and had to wait until he had enough other jobs scheduled in the area to make the 90 mile trip worth it (elbow fitting under concrete on the pressure side blew out after 30 years) The guy pinpointed the leak in about 20-30 minutes.
From a Z-Wave / Vera standpoint let me know which direction you head. I have an intermatic PE653rc that is pseudo Zwave compatible, Homeseer/Vera and Intermatic keep pointing fingers at each other as to whose "fault" the interoperability issues are. ... situation normal for Z Wave.
I would be more than happy to walk you through the 2 speed pump setup on the intermatic if you go that direction.
Welcome to the madness!
karmabiker,
Before I get into integrating the pool home automation I really need to get pool basics underway. Once I have things under control, I'm going to ping you with questions.
Speaking of Z-wave, given the size of the house and type of construction I've had mixed luck with vera and various z-wave compatible Inetmatic peripherals. I'm currently experimenting with 2GIG automation panel, but it's not the place to discuss it here.
Before I get into integrating the pool home automation I really need to get pool basics underway. Once I have things under control, I'm going to ping you with questions.
Speaking of Z-wave, given the size of the house and type of construction I've had mixed luck with vera and various z-wave compatible Inetmatic peripherals. I'm currently experimenting with 2GIG automation panel, but it's not the place to discuss it here.
I finally had the pool service folks out this week and to me it was a worthwhile experience. Not only they got the original pump to work in 15 min but I've learned about the pool that they have been servicing for 20 years or so.
Now, when the pump is running, I need to take note of measurement of water levels to determine how much water I'm losing a day/week.