Bucket test, leaks, and what next

[amillionvoices]

Hi everyone, Our new pool was filled 3 months ago. I noticed my chemicals changing in unexpected ways (e.g. losing salt according to test kit, having trouble keeping CYA and CH at good levels) and needing to be filled often. I did several bucket tests and noticed that the pool tends to drop about 1/4" per day more than the bucket. One test I let run for a week and the bucket dropped less than half an inch, pool dropped more then 2.5"

I'm doing a test right now with the plumbing off to see if it continues to happen.

PB was notified and did their own test, on a day with a high of 65 degrees and little wind, and claimed it only dropped 3/16 of an inch difference which is "normal". They did a dive to look at lights, etc. and claim they didn't fine a leak.

Do you have any advice on next steps?

 

[ajw22]

Let the pool leak and see where the water stabilizes. Once the water stops dropping, the leak will be somewhere along the waterline.

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[amillionvoices]

Thanks for the suggestion. I tried this to the point where my skimmer was sucking air. Do you suggest I turn off the skimmer and let it keep going? I could also isolate my pool from my spa to see if it makes a difference.

 

[ajw22]

Do you suggest I turn off the skimmer and let it keep going?

Yes.

If your pump runs from the main drain.

Or shutoff the pump once water drops below the skimmer.

I could also isolate my pool from my spa to see if it makes a difference.

What is there to isolate?

Do you have a spa spillover that runs continuously?

 

[amillionvoices]

Yes. I can isolate by shutting off the spillover so water is only circulating within the pool or by shutting off the pool drains/returns to only run water in/out of the spa.

Do you think the spillover could lead to significant additional loss of water?

 

[ajw22]

Yes. I can isolate by shutting off the spillover so water is only circulating within the pool or by shutting off the pool drains/returns to only run water in/out of the spa.

Do you have automation or manually need to turn diverter valves?

Do you think the spillover could lead to significant additional loss of water?

Depends on the design and materials on your spa and spillover. The spillover often has many joints that can leak.

Post pictures of your pool, spa, and spillover.

 

[amillionvoices]

Thanks again for engaging here. I have mostly manual valves but some with automation that I can disable. I have these pics on my phone which shows the spill over.

 

[amillionvoices]

I don't think water would leak from the spill over since the spa is fully inside of the pool. But I could see it leading to higher evaporation from water constantly running over the tiles.

 

[wireform]

While you're getting good help I'd mention to get your signature filled in like mine below otherwise there's many more back and forth questions to get you significant answers.

 

[ajw22]

The most likely place for leaks in a new pool is around penetrations in the shell.