My pool just started leaking. it was fine last week but is now dropping about 1/2" per day. How can I find where the leak is exactly? I have a replaster scheduled in 2 months. should I just let it drain? I live in CA and it's still nice weather to swim.
Leak detection
- Thread starter mrjetson707
- Start date
With night time temps in the 50s by you and the 85 degree CA sun keeping the pool warm, you could be evaporating. Especially if it's been windy. I'd top it off as needed.
You can do a bucket test for a comparison if you'd like.
You can do a bucket test for a comparison if you'd like.
I've had the pool a little over a year now. I've never had to fill this much. it dropped below the tile line in 3 days. it's prob dropping closer to an inch per day
Ok, then it's more than evaporation, which could still be some of it. Start with the equipment pad and the plumbing direction towards the pool. Check for any obvious wet areas. Then try to isolate any individual lines, for example, closing one skimmer/return/drain line at a time if possible.
Refresh my memory, why are you replastering ? From advanced age or just cosmetic ?
You are fortunate that most folks with a leak aren't being replastered in 2 months. So there is that.
Refresh my memory, why are you replastering ? From advanced age or just cosmetic ?
You are fortunate that most folks with a leak aren't being replastered in 2 months. So there is that.
Nevermind. Had a moment to check your history. 'Skimmer rock guy'.. You are a LEGEND round here. 
We sure had the whole village trying to help at the time, it was a bummer that you couldn't get it.
Did the crack in the skimmer get any worse ? Or is it not in a spot that might leak.
We sure had the whole village trying to help at the time, it was a bummer that you couldn't get it.
Did the crack in the skimmer get any worse ? Or is it not in a spot that might leak.
I've had a busy week and havnt even noticed the water. my wife called me and said the pump was running dry. it happened Monday so I filled but we had my daughters birthday party Saturday so I didn't think anything if it. when she called me again today to say it's running dry again I got concerned. the pool is 30 years old and needs a replaster. I'm going to investigate when i get home. not entirely sure where to start so ill start with the equipment like you said. I don't think it could be the skimmer crack because the water is going below the tile line. I'll update after I take a lookNevermind. Had a moment to check your history. 'Skimmer rock guy'.. You are a LEGEND round here.
We sure had the whole village trying to help at the time, it was a bummer that you couldn't get it.
Did the crack in the skimmer get any worse ? Or is it not in a spot that might leak.
I don't see any water anywhere. honestly it doesn't seem like anything is wrong. like i said we bought the house a year ago and there's literally no shut off valves so I don't know how I can go about testing lines
- Nov 12, 2017
- 11,920
- Pool Size
- 12300
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
If you have the type of return jets that are removable, like eyeballs, use PVC threaded plugs to close them up (after removing the eyeball component). Those are usually 1.5" PVC threads. If that can't work, use these, they come in assorted sizes:
Be sure you turn off all the breakers, so the pump doesn't come on inadvertently. Do the hole(s) in the skimmer, too. The idea is to plug up every hole going into the pool. The drain(s) will be a challenge, but if you can plug them, too, then that's best. If you plug every hole and the leak stops, the leak is in your pipes. If you plug every hole and the leak doesn't stop, then the leak is in the plaster or tile or possibly a light niche or its connecting conduit. That can be tested with leak-detection dye.
Amazon.com: Svepndic 3 Pack Pool Winterizing Plug Above Ground Pool Skimmer Plugs Swimming Pool Winter Expansion Plug 1.5" Threaded Pool Spa Return Line Winterizing Plug : Patio, Lawn & Garden
Amazon.com: Svepndic 3 Pack Pool Winterizing Plug Above Ground Pool Skimmer Plugs Swimming Pool Winter Expansion Plug 1.5" Threaded Pool Spa Return Line Winterizing Plug : Patio, Lawn & Garden
www.amazon.com
Be sure you turn off all the breakers, so the pump doesn't come on inadvertently. Do the hole(s) in the skimmer, too. The idea is to plug up every hole going into the pool. The drain(s) will be a challenge, but if you can plug them, too, then that's best. If you plug every hole and the leak stops, the leak is in your pipes. If you plug every hole and the leak doesn't stop, then the leak is in the plaster or tile or possibly a light niche or its connecting conduit. That can be tested with leak-detection dye.
- Nov 12, 2017
- 11,920
- Pool Size
- 12300
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Read this. It includes the bucket test instructions. Do that test, just to rule things out.
www.troublefreepool.com
Leak Detection
A number of things can cause leaks in your pool. You can learn tricks for leak detection and how to pinpoint where your pool is losing water.
www.troublefreepool.com
the returns are wide open with no threads. there's also a myster line that doesn't do anything
- Nov 12, 2017
- 11,920
- Pool Size
- 12300
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Then use the winterizing plugs. They come in all sizes. They'll plug a straight pipe with no threads. Mind you, I've never done any leak detection, nor have I played any detectives on TV. I'm just throwing darts. Basic troubleshooting: if you have no idea where the problem is, isolate the system in halves to see which half the problem is on, then divide that half in half, etc.
- Nov 12, 2017
- 11,920
- Pool Size
- 12300
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
You could also hire a leak detection specialist, but there are some steps you can do yourself, to rule out the obvious, so you don't have to pay someone to do those steps for you. The bucket test being the easiest of those steps.
- Nov 12, 2017
- 11,920
- Pool Size
- 12300
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Huh, those instructions are odd. It seems the easier way is to match the level of the water in the bucket to the level of water in your pool (no marking necessary). Then subsequent comparisons are very obvious. If the levels drop, but are the same relative to each other, you don't have a leak, it's just evaporation. But if the pool level drops below that of the bucket's, then there's a leak.
You have to eliminate outside forces: rain, or auto-filling, of course. And I would think it would be telling to do the test with and without the pump running. If the levels stay the same with and without the pump involved, you're good. If the levels only get out of sync with the pump running, that would narrow it down some.
You have to eliminate outside forces: rain, or auto-filling, of course. And I would think it would be telling to do the test with and without the pump running. If the levels stay the same with and without the pump involved, you're good. If the levels only get out of sync with the pump running, that would narrow it down some.
update. I didn't do the bucket test but I did mark my water line. it dropped 3/4" from 8pm to 8am. I don't think I need a bucket test to confirm I have a leak at this point
I was sure rooting for you with the initial post, an apparent 1/2 inch a day leak could easily be 3/8 and all due to mother nature. 1.5 inches a day means it's draining.
Plug the pipes to prove it one way or the other. Then if it's in the pool somewhere, let it drain to the light fixture if it goes that far. If it keeps going, that will likely point to the main drain area, or the hydrostatic valve inside the drain if you have one, with no other obvious cracks.
Plug the pipes to prove it one way or the other. Then if it's in the pool somewhere, let it drain to the light fixture if it goes that far. If it keeps going, that will likely point to the main drain area, or the hydrostatic valve inside the drain if you have one, with no other obvious cracks.
Alaterreur
Bronze Supporter
You say you need a plaster? So it must be rough. If the old plaster loses its smoothness and very rough commonly on steps or bench, this will make the water seep through the plaster Especially if you see gunite. One other common place to leak is the skimmer . shut the pump and see if it stops at the lip. My guess your old plaster is not holding..
what do I need to buy to plug them? I don't know if we have hydro static valves but our main drain doesn't have a hood and the pipe is at a weird angle to get to. I can plug the returns but not sure how. get winterizing plugs? how do I know if they are 1 1/4 or 1 1/2?I was sure rooting for you with the initial post, an apparent 1/2 inch a day leak could easily be 3/8 and all due to mother nature. 1.5 inches a day means it's draining.
Plug the pipes to prove it one way or the other. Then if it's in the pool somewhere, let it drain to the light fixture if it goes that far. If it keeps going, that will likely point to the main drain area, or the hydrostatic valve inside the drain if you have one, with no other obvious cracks.
Your local hardware store probably has something similar.
just ordered plugs. dye test and a fresh pair of goggles. I heard that skimmers leak alot. my skimmer has cracks that were patched (before we owned the house) so I'm hoping that's the issues. I've also read that hydrostatic valves can leak and need to be replaced every 5 years. the last owner didn't take care of anything in the house so I can only assume the valve needs replacing as well. both the skimmer and main drain are already quoted in my replaster job. I'm considering just letting the water slowly drain but I know pools can "pop up" if they are empty. is there a timeline for that happening? 2 months too long? also I'm going to let it drain itself so it won't actually drain all the way down