Leak. I THINK in the return line?

[JonMorton]

Hello all!

So my in-ground is leaking 3 or so inches a day. Pump on, that rate. Pump off, that rate. Skimmer plugged, that rate. Returns plugged but skimmer open, that rate. Only one return plugged, that rate. Other return plugged, that rate. Everything plugged, no leak.

If I let it go, it will leak until right below the return lines then stop.

This means it's in one of the return lines right?

Here's the kicker... I had the leak (seemingly smaller) 2 years ago. Closed it up for the winter, opened, no leak. HORAY it fixed itself! Then a week later it started leaking again. I dealt all last year with the leak, and it progressively got worse until the 3 inches a day. I closed it again this winter, reopened, and again no leak.

What in the world? It's dirty, I'm filtering (DE filter), scrubbing, all the good stuff to open it. But am expecting the leak to obviously come back any day now.

I'm clearly an idiot. What am I missing?

 

[HermanTX]

Welcome to TFP.
When you closed last year, did you drain it below the returns? What was the level of the pool when you opened the other day?
It does appear to be in the return based on what you stated.
Have you had a leak detection company try to find the leak?

 

[wireform]

Pressure test the return line between the pad and pool. It wouldn't be the skimmer because then you have air in the pump and be unable to pull prime.