Losing Water before Spring Startup

[Avatarshark]

I noticed my closed up pool has not filled up from the rainfall we have been getting and measure that the pool has been losing water (.5 to 3/4" daily). The water level is at winter level - below the returns/skimmer and they are still plugged. I'm guessing it might be the main drain leaking or I have leaks in the vinyl liner. The main drain I'm not sure if it was plugged at the bottom. It seems to be routed to the 2nd port in the bottom of the skimmer but has had a plug installed dating back to the previous owner.I'll probably need to get the pool running and clear before I can bring in a leak detection company.

Any suggestions on a quick clean up?

The water <10 deg C (40F) but with the hot and cold, the water is green. Still have my safety cover-on.
The pool was running bromine the previous years but it has been diluted somewhat with the winter draining. I've been planning on switching to just liquid chorine and stopped using bromine.

 

[Texas Splash]

Any suggestions on a quick clean up?

No way around it really .... a TFP "SLAM" (link below). Since you are planning on switching to chlorine this year, the leak may have done you a favor. But where the water stops is probably a good indication of where the leak is. So if the water level stops about 2 feet from the bottom for example, look around the new waterline. If it tries to go all the way down to the drain, it's probably the drain. At that point you could simply plug the drain if that's what it is, or look into having it repaired. Pools do just fine without a MD, so if that's what it is, you'll be fine. Probably not how you expected to start this swimming season, but it will all work out.

 

[Avatarshark]

Thanks for the encouragement TS. I'm gonna call in a company to do the inspection and repair since it likely requires a dive. Way too cold still in Canada to go for a swim. Meanwhile, filling up the pool, hitting it with the chorine and dropped to robot in. Safety cover removal this weekend...

No way around it really .... a TFP "SLAM" (link below). Since you are planning on switching to chlorine this year, the leak may have done you a favor. But where the water stops is probably a good indication of where the leak is. So if the water level stops about 2 feet from the bottom for example, look around the new waterline. If it tries to go all the way down to the drain, it's probably the drain. At that point you could simply plug the drain if that's what it is, or look into having it repaired. Pools do just fine without a MD, so if that's what it is, you'll be fine. Probably not how you expected to start this swimming season, but it will all work out.

 

[Avatarshark]

Finally got the pool cleared to bring in a leak detection company. 2 leaks through the liner that were patched up and the threads of my shallow end return is cracked and losing water.

One of the liner leak is where the ladder rubs against the side of the pool when someone climbed up or down. Does anyone have any suggestions to minimize that risk of rubbing?

The guy suggested either using a Frankenplug or using some putty for the return. Any thoughts on the Frankenplug?