Inground Pool Leak

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Q

qdylan

0
May 21, 2017
48
Toronto, Ontario
Hi,

My in-ground pool is leaking. :( I ran the pump this evening, and 7hrs later the water level has fallen close to an inch.

In the last few weeks, I've had to spend $$ and fix a bunch of problems (brominator, pump seal, impeller, etc). Finally thought there would be no more issues/leaks...but alas the water level keeps falling only when the pump is ON.

I've looked around but couldn't find any places where the water could be leaking at that rate.

Please help. Hoping that I don't have to spend even more at this point.

Thank you.
 
Dylan,

If you are sure that the leak only occurs when the pump is running, and you don't see any obvious wet areas around your equipment pad, then the leak should be between your filter and your return eyeballs in your pool.

The most likely spot would be a bad spider gasket in your multiport valve allowing water to be pumped down your backwash drain. This "assumes" your backwash is plumbed so that you don't see the water leaving...

If this is not the case, then the water has to go somewhere, so looking for a wet spot is the first thing I would try.

Thanks for posting and sorry about your leak,

Jim R.
 
Hi qdylan - I feel for you, I too have a similar problem with my 16 x 32 pool, sorry I don't have good answers for you right now. I did post my experience today and I hope it is due to the leaky seal on my Hayward pump, but I don't know if that's the sole source or not. Hoping you find your answer and it's a relatively easy fix.
Brian
 
Thanks for your replies.

It definitely happens only when the pump is running. The water level fell an inch within a few hours last night, and it's not fallen even a little since I turned it off (about 12 hrs now).

I thought it may be the backwash pipe, but unfortunately no water is coming out of there (not plumbed).

Also:

1) There is a slight dampness below the Hayward pump. I replaced the seal a week ago, I will take it apart tonight and re-insert it, however it was barely damp in that area and at the rate the water was falling last night, it doesn't seem like the sole source.

2) It should also be noted that some parts of the deck were replaced last summer, so it could possibly be a broken pipe?

3) Lastly, would it be beneficial to close/plug one of the two return jets and run the pump? Not quite certain how the plumbing works, but is that something that would actually work to isolate the problem, or would the pressure be too much for the one return jet?

Thank you so much.
 
qd,

Assuming the leak is in one of the return lines, then closing that return would force more water out the leak.

But if the piping is under your deck there would be no way to tell.

I hate to say it, but you may have to contact one of those expensive leak detect companies.

I don't think it is your pump unless it is angle deep in water.. A drip issue with the pump is not going to cause you to loose an inch of water without leaving rather a large puddle..

Jim R.
 
Unfortunately I have to agree with Jim, I'm a new pool owner (second year in house that had one when I bought it) and by my estimation, I'm losing 1/2 inch over a 6-7 hour span when I run the pump which loosely calculated is 120 - 150 gallons for my 16 x 32. I have a leak in my Hayward pump seal, but it's a slow drip, and at the current rate of loss, I would have a huge pond under my equipment pad if that pump leak were the only source. There's wetness and an active drip, but not a huge puddle or stream, so the pump is unfortunately probably only a secondary problem.

I have a waste line that is hard plumbed to the sewage system, and part of me is really hoping maybe my multi-port valve or gasket is going bad and it's leaking out through backwash or waste, but with the way my luck goes it's probably not that. :( I'm going to check the multi-valve tonight when I get home from work anyway.

Last and least attractive possibility for me losing that much water over night is a plumbing leak in return lines or skimmer line that are (gulp) underground...

Here's hoping you find your problem and a fix!
 
Update: There are 3 leaks. I have a question about the major one. The guy said that the return jet wall fitting is split, and hence a portion of the concrete around it will have to be cut out and then the part will be replaced. My question is, does this require the water level to be drained below the return jets? Or can the return jet be plugged and the part replaced in the hole dug out, since it is behind the wall?
Thank you!
 

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