Hi Everyone, This is a bit of a long story but hopefully the information will be helpful in troubleshooting my problem.
I inherited a 22,000 gallon Hallmark Hybrid pool when I purchased my home two years ago. It is kidney shaped, the walls are fiberglass, and the bottom is concrete with plaster. Apparently it was sold to builders as a pool kit to home builders used back in the 70's. I believe the pool is about 40 years old based on city records.
Anyway, I had never owned a pool before and this pool hadn't been opened in about 10 years. I had it cleaned out, patched up, and lines pressure tested; main drain was fine and skimmer lines had slow leaks. I replaced the skimmer and return lines. I opened the pool last summer and have had a "slow" leak ever since. I've had to top off the pool every two to three days (about 700-1000 gallons a pop). I have tried to find the leak on my own using dye but without success. So I decided since the season was over to let the pool drain. I closed off the skimmers when the water had dropped below them. One morning, I came out to find that the pool had drained about 18-24" over night as opposed to the "normal" inch or two. I observed that the main drain was covered with leaves so I turned off the pump and removed the leaves. After that, the pool resumed it's "normal" water loss rate (pump off at this point because I couldn't regain prime). I'm baffled by this situation and at this point I'm continuing to let the pool drain; the shallow end is completely empty and the deep end about half way. I'm guessing the leak is from either the main drain or the drain plug (the plug that releases hydrostatic pressure when removed). Thoughts on what what's going on and what I should do? I am also a bit worried about the implications of 22,000 gallons draining beneath my pool as my pool becomes emptier and hence lighter. Thanks in advance for your help!
I inherited a 22,000 gallon Hallmark Hybrid pool when I purchased my home two years ago. It is kidney shaped, the walls are fiberglass, and the bottom is concrete with plaster. Apparently it was sold to builders as a pool kit to home builders used back in the 70's. I believe the pool is about 40 years old based on city records.
Anyway, I had never owned a pool before and this pool hadn't been opened in about 10 years. I had it cleaned out, patched up, and lines pressure tested; main drain was fine and skimmer lines had slow leaks. I replaced the skimmer and return lines. I opened the pool last summer and have had a "slow" leak ever since. I've had to top off the pool every two to three days (about 700-1000 gallons a pop). I have tried to find the leak on my own using dye but without success. So I decided since the season was over to let the pool drain. I closed off the skimmers when the water had dropped below them. One morning, I came out to find that the pool had drained about 18-24" over night as opposed to the "normal" inch or two. I observed that the main drain was covered with leaves so I turned off the pump and removed the leaves. After that, the pool resumed it's "normal" water loss rate (pump off at this point because I couldn't regain prime). I'm baffled by this situation and at this point I'm continuing to let the pool drain; the shallow end is completely empty and the deep end about half way. I'm guessing the leak is from either the main drain or the drain plug (the plug that releases hydrostatic pressure when removed). Thoughts on what what's going on and what I should do? I am also a bit worried about the implications of 22,000 gallons draining beneath my pool as my pool becomes emptier and hence lighter. Thanks in advance for your help!