Bad Timing or Great?

[frankan9]

Hi All,
I've learned almost everything I know about pools from TFP. Today I have to ask about water loss.
Short story is that my vinyl liner is 20 years old and developed a tear in a corner above the water line(My fault)which I patched.I scheduled a new liner to be installed on 8/16 and now have lost about a foot of water in the last 4-5 days.I can't find any additional holes. the water is now below the skimmers but above the returns.I tried the dye test at the returns and the main drain, and had no luck. Could this amount of water be lost from tiny unseen pinholes or is it likely to be the plumbing?
Should I keep filling or let it go for the next 10 days?

Frank

 

[zea3]

A foot of water in 4-5 days is more than a pinhole leak, unless you have a million of them! Did you test all around the steps as well? Do you have a light?

 

[frankan9]

I checked around the steps. I have no lights.

 

[Arizonarob]

See how far the water goes down and then stops. Once it stops leaking, the culprit will be at, or just above the standing water line.

Do you loose water faster with the pump running? Or it doesn’t matter?

 

[frankan9]

Right now I am letting it drain down .The pump doesn't seem to make a noticeable difference . I just hope it's not the plumbing...

 

[1Sammy]

Plug the returns. That will at least prove if it is them or not as you are already below the skimmer so not that side.

 

[frankan9]

OK will try that now

 

[YippeeSkippy]

Go look around the pump and yard right around the pool for any wet spots.... sometimes plumbing leaks show up there. Is it wet under your pump??

Maddie

 

[frankan9]

Yard seems fine, no wet/soft spots.I plugged the returns and will check the level in the morning .

 

[frankan9]

Checked the level this morning, and its down about an inch in the last 12 hours. So i guess its not the returns. Now its got to be either the main drain or the liner I guess. I hope its the liner...

 

[PoolGate]

Does it really matter with a new liner coming in a week?

 

[zea3]

You can dive down and plug the main drain, see if that stops the leak. If you can't plug it will the liner company test the lines?

 

[pabeader]

Any concern with the walls caving in from the lack of water pressure?

 

[zea3]

It could be a concern if there is ground water present or heavy rain expected. I would try plugging the main drain and if that doesn't solve the problem then frankan9 should refill and top off until the liner is replaced, if either condition is expected.

 

[frankan9]

Does it really matter with a new liner coming in a week?

It only matters if it's a plumbing issue,because the cost will go up significantly. If its the liner I'll count myself lucky that the liner was scheduled to be changed before the leak was evident

- - - Updated - - -

It could be a concern if there is ground water present or heavy rain expected. I would try plugging the main drain and if that doesn't solve the problem then frankan9 should refill and top off until the liner is replaced, if either condition is expected.

I'll try to plug the main drain.If I'm unable to do that then I'll start refilling until the pool company can pressure test the lines. I've already requested the lines be tested.

 

[frankan9]

So the pool has mysteriously stopped losing 2 inches per day for the last 5 days or so.The liner will be changed tomorrow and they will pressure test the lines.