Leak? Change in weather conditions? Need new liner? Hmm...

[Suz.E.Q]

We've owned our home with an in-ground vinyl lined pool for 4 years now (installed in 2006). This is a second home, so we frequently leave for a week - 10 days at a time, leaving the pool covered and pump running 24/7. It seems to me that I am having to add more water this year than ever before, but it's not an alarming amount - it just seems to be different to me. I swear I didn't really have to add water more than once or twice a month in past years. This year, I'm having to add water every week or two, and generally, our usage has been about the same. When we leave, I fill the water level up to the upper skimmer screw (the one above the "ideal" center mark), and when we come back a week - 10 days later, the water level is at the "ideal" level. Again, in years past, we hardly had to be concerned about water level unless a lot of use / uncovering was happening. There are no obvious leaks around the equipment.

I know all about the bucket test - but not sure how to do this when there is a cover on the pool - and I don't want to leave the cover off at this time of the year overnight - we have no heater and we are hoping to eek out another couple of weeks of use (pool is already down to 80 degrees - wah!) Thoughts?

I had to trim the disintegrating cover a bit, so about 6" more of the pool is uncovered. Anyone think this increased lack of cover could be the culprit? It seems to be such a small percentage of the pool square footage, but I suppose anything is possible.

Since we are approaching the end of this liner's life (probably) - I'm thinking it might be time to consider replacement anyway. Anyone feel we are temping fate to wait until spring to do this? It seems foolish to me to do it in the fall, then just end up filling the pool and its new liner with winterizing products...

When IS the best time to replace a liner? How long is the process if it's straightforward with no underlying issues? (Our pool is a simple rectangle.)

Thank you all!

 

[sktn77a]

I had to trim the disintegrating cover a bit, so about 6" more of the pool is uncovered. Anyone think this increased lack of cover could be the culprit? It seems to be such a small percentage of the pool square footage, but I suppose anything is possible.

Well, given that the water loss is relatively small (1" per week?) this could be the case. If you do have a leak though, get it figured out before you replace the liner.

 

[duraleigh]

You never say HOW MUCH water you have to refill,

When we leave, I fill the water level up to the upper skimmer screw (the one above the "ideal" center mark), and when we come back a week - 10 days later, the water level is at the "ideal" level.

How much is that in inches???

 

[sktn77a]

You never say HOW MUCH water you have to refill, How much is that in inches???

I was guessing that the skimmer plate screws are just over an inch apart.

 

[duraleigh]

Let OP clarify that. 1" weekly is easily attributed to evaporation.......3" weekly is a leak! How much is it?

 

[PoolguyinCT]

We've owned our home with an in-ground vinyl lined pool for 4 years now (installed in 2006). This is a second home, so we frequently leave for a week - 10 days at a time, leaving the pool covered and pump running 24/7. It seems to me that I am having to add more water this year than ever before, but it's not an alarming amount - it just seems to be different to me. I swear I didn't really have to add water more than once or twice a month in past years. This year, I'm having to add water every week or two, and generally, our usage has been about the same. When we leave, I fill the water level up to the upper skimmer screw (the one above the "ideal" center mark), and when we come back a week - 10 days later, the water level is at the "ideal" level. Again, in years past, we hardly had to be concerned about water level unless a lot of use / uncovering was happening. There are no obvious leaks around the equipment.

I know all about the bucket test - but not sure how to do this when there is a cover on the pool - and I don't want to leave the cover off at this time of the year overnight - we have no heater and we are hoping to eek out another couple of weeks of use (pool is already down to 80 degrees - wah!) Thoughts?

I had to trim the disintegrating cover a bit, so about 6" more of the pool is uncovered. Anyone think this increased lack of cover could be the culprit? It seems to be such a small percentage of the pool square footage, but I suppose anything is possible.

Since we are approaching the end of this liner's life (probably) - I'm thinking it might be time to consider replacement anyway. Anyone feel we are temping fate to wait until spring to do this? It seems foolish to me to do it in the fall, then just end up filling the pool and its new liner with winterizing products...

When IS the best time to replace a liner? How long is the process if it's straightforward with no underlying issues? (Our pool is a simple rectangle.)

Thank you all!

If you have the funds do it before winter. An off-season failure can bring about another set of very costly repairs.