DFW Metroplex - Looking For Referrals - Pool Repair / Refinish

[NorthPilot06]

Hey all - Our pool's water level drops alarmingly fast with no obviously leaks (at the pump, filter, etc.) - leading us to believe that we have an underground leak. I have to refill the pool (bottom of skimmer basket to overflow drain) on nearly a weekly basis - this is obviously the effect of more than just evaporation.

We live in the DFW metroplex (Coppell) and were hoping to get a specialist on site to diagnose the issue - does anyone have any recommendations for reputable specialists in my area?

Appreciate any help that folks can provide - would like to get this resolved soon!

Michael

 

[Jimrahbe]

Michael,

Before calling an leak detection company, you might want to make sure that you actually have a leak...

I am also in the DFW area and lose about 1/8th to 1/4 inch a day. I end up having to add water about every 8 or 9 days.

I use a clean paint stirrer stick from one of the big box stores and place it over the coping and down to the front of the skimmer. When I pull it out, it will have a water mark. I draw a pencil line at the water mark. If I do that for a week, it will show exactly how much water I am using each day.

You can also use the bucket test explained here... Pool School - Leak Detection

I suspect you have a gunite pool, since they are so common here in our area, but please confirm that you do not have a vinyl pool...

This time a year is a good time to find a leak, as you can get away with not running the equipment for a long time.. If you still think you have a leak, then let the pool level drop until in stops..

The most likely place for a leak is right at the skimmer or right at the light. Although they can happen, broken underground pipes are no all that common.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[nemeth8]

Following.... I am in the same boat in Plano. I tried all troubleshooting and came to the conlusion there is an underground leak from my North Skimmer line.... I also know that I am not smart at this so I paid a PB $90 to come out and he ended up with the same conclusion. I am in the process of finding a leak fixer.... but not looking forward to spending a couple grand for a pool I can't enjoy for several months.

 

[Pentair19]

I'm in the DFW area and also just woke up the other morning to my pool dropping 3" over night it seemed. I initially freaked out but thanks to this forum and google I was able to find my leak and repair it myself. The best thing this time of year is you can leave your pump off for a little bit and see if your water lose stops at a certain level. In my case my level stopped dropping as soon as the water level was below the pool skimmers. With that I knew I either had a structure leak or plumbing leak isolated to the skimmer. I than filled my pool up and isolated each skimmer with the pump running. Both ran with no issue and help prime when I turned the pump off. This pointed to a structure leak. I took some dye and slowly dropped it under water and was amazed I could see it getting sucked into a void where my skimmers meet my guinte pool. I ordered some Atlas pool putty from amazon and applied it. My pool level has been rock solid for a week now.

I would recommend doing as much as you can before you call someone out. If you do call someone out, I would make sure they can handle finding the leak and making the repair. I have heard bad stories about using a vendor to find the leak and another to repair it.

 

[nemeth8]

Any update in this?

 

[NorthPilot06]

Thanks for checking in - but no updates! Our vinyl-lined pool has a rip in it (new) so we’ll need to replace the liner anyways. Going to get a few quotes in the near future.

 

[NorthPilot06]

Merged threads - TFP Mod

Hey all -

Our Vinyl-Lined pool has a [few] rips in it, so we’ll need to replace. I was hoping that some of y’all could opine with any reputable pool companies / contractors located in the DFW metroplex that could assist with the job. More specifically, we’re trying to evaluate:

1. Replacing the Vinyl Liner, or
2. Refinishing the pool with Gunite (knowing that this would be a costly endeavor that wouldn’t pay back)

And, in the case of #1, are there any particular vinyl liners that are recommended by TFP members? My current liner got awfully discolored (much paler than it was originally) - and a bit stained too. Think it was a relatively cheap one.

Thanks,
Michael

 

[NorthPilot06]

Mod - I appreciate why you merged the two threads, but would you be able to unmerge them? I don’t think I’ll get the recommendations that I’m looking for in a “pumps, filters, and plumbing” subforum.

MOD note-I moved to Under Const. Kimkats