Hybrid Pool Leaking at old jet location?

[tenuglymen]

Hello - I am the owner of a 60 year old hybrid pool (fiberglass walls and concrete bottom) and am located in Rochester, NY. I have been fixing issues with the pool for over twenty years (sanded and painted bottom twice and replaced light fixture with cap.

This year I noticed that my pool is down 12" or so and the level is holding steady at the location where plugs were installed in the old jets (see picture). The plugs would have been installed by the previous owners.

I am assuming that this is where the pool is leaking. Any thoughts on how to fix/plug the leak around the plug?

Thanks in advance,

Mike

 

[ajw22]

How often have the plugs been removed and reseated or replaced?

 

[vtpools]

It's not pretty but you can use pool putty, the two part epoxy stuff. A marine adhesive/sealant should work as well. Are those jets not used anymore?

 

[tenuglymen]

I have never replaced the plugs - sounds like that could be the fix? Do you know if glue or epoxy is typically used or are they screwed in?

Thanks for the help!

 

[tenuglymen]

Yes jets are not used - previous owner for some reason installed the plugs.

 

[ajw22]

Those look like winterization plugs.

I would not count on them having a watertight seal forever.

I think they need to be periodically removed and reseated or replaced. I would think the rubber rots over time and starts leaking. Those plugs are not designed to have a permanent seal.

I would not glue or epoxy a rubber plug in. The rubber will rot around the glue and it will become more difficult to replace.

A permanent fix would need to use some hard plastic or fiberglass to glue over the holes with adhesive.

 

[tenuglymen]

Thanks for the guidance.

 

[tenuglymen]

Any idea on how you remove plug - looks like a special tool may be needed.

 

[tenuglymen]

Any idea on how you remove plug - looks like a special tool may be needed.

It looks like it is a

Hayward - Plastic Pipe Plug​

Part Number: SPX1053Z1

 

[vtpools]

I was saying epoxy putty around the fitting where the gasket is, not the plug itself. You can always add some water and do a dye test to see specifically where the leak is.