Major leak with pump is on recirculate

[wx1234]

I had to put several chemicals in and set multiport valve on top of sand filter to recirculating. When I came back home (4 hours later), I lost about 4 inches of water. I had my valve set to main drain and skimmer

My question is...why did I lose water or have a leak when my valve is on multiport is on recirculate? My pool does not leak when the system is off.
my waste line is not leaking water, not hooked to go anywhere either (pipe that backwashing water leaves the sand filter). My sump pump in the basement did pump a lot of water to the street, and it is a dry day. somehow, the pool water went to the sump pump of the house.

The hayward filter has some small leak, nothing substantial.

what do you think this problem is, do I need to call a leak company?

 

[Texas Splash]

Hello and welcome to TFP! If your pool is losing water (fast) when the system is on (pressurized), I would suspect you have a pressure-side leak somewhere between your equipment pad and the return jet(s). Simply changing from filter to recirculate wouldn't have any impact because the water is still going back to the pool, just bypassing the filter (inside). Do you see any soft spots around the pool? Any areas that may be soggy or show signs of water underneath? I can't see your set-up or yard configuration, but I wonder if a return line underground is leaking and allowing pool water to flow towards your basement?

You mentioned that your waste line is not connected to anything? Does that mean the waste line connection from the multiport is exposed, or do you use a flat discharge hose to move the waste? So you would definitely see if water was leaving that waste port. If so, I'd look really close anywhere that water is getting pushed back towards the pool after the filter.

 

[wx1234]

This leak really causes some sleepless ssue.
Thanks for your help.

There are some concrete between pool and my house, so I cannot tell whether any soggy soil.

I agree so far I am leaning toward a return line is leaking underground, water goes to the basement through weeping tile.

My waste line on the Hayward sand filter is exposed, I would need hook up a long hose to allow water to flow to street drain. I saw no water come out of waste. So no water loss due to filter.

BTW, pool company did the closing. When called for the leak, they knew the liner is up for replacement, so they thought it is liner. But no water loss when pump is off after losing over 4 inches water.

 

[Texas Splash]

BTW, pool company did the closing. When called for the leak, they knew the liner is up for replacement, so they thought it is liner. But no water loss when pump is off after losing over 4 inches water.

The only way I could see this as a possible option would be if the leak was somewhere very high in the pool between those 4 inches you were losing water. So a leak would have to be high around the poolside water line or the skimmer perhaps. Light conduits are another common leak issue, but that's usually deeper than just 4" so we can probably rule that one out.

 

[wx1234]

Latest update:

I removed two stair jet plugs, ran the pump in circulation for an hour, there seemed to be no leak. can these two jet plugs cause 4' water loss in 4 hours time? pump still running, will update if anything changes

 

[JamesW]

Plugging the step jets can cause water to be forced into the air supply line that Ts into the step venturi fitting.

 

[JamesW]

The air tubes should extend up to the deck with fittings to control the air intake.

Usually, you would see water coming from the fittings. However, the air tubes often come loose or leak.

 

[wx1234]

one more update, after running nearly two hours, there might be very small amount water loss. Can I assume that maybe there is some leak with stair jet fitting, when not plugged in, leak is very small. When plugged in, leak is significant.

Maybe I should try to replace return jet fitting?

 

[JamesW]

The pressure might have dislodged the air tube.

The problem is that you probably can't get to the fitting with the air tube easily.

I'm not a big fan of step jets anyway. If the leak is confirmed to be there, I would just plug them and forget about them. Replumb at pad to eliminate water going to the steps.

 

[wx1234]

James, thanks for your prompt response. Not easy to re-plumb an in-ground pool. question, since it is return jet, if i plug them, water can still leak, as water still gets in there, just cannot come out. am I wrong?

 

[JamesW]

Do you have a valve that can shut off water to the steps?

It's not too hard to eliminate the step line. If you post a picture, I can probably tell you an easy way.

 

[wx1234]

picture of what area? now it is too dark to take photo, I can take one tomorrow.

 

[JamesW]

Picture of the equipment area. There should be a valve that controls water to the jets or returns.

It might be a three way valve or a two way valve on the step jet line.

There should be an air fitting in the deck directly above each step jet. If you plug the step jets, you can listen at the air line for a leak.

If there's a screw on top, unscrew it and listen at the hole for a leak.

 

[wx1234]

James, I found the valve to shut off step jet, I kept the pump running, no more leak.

It is the step jet for sure.

Earlier when I removed the step jet plug, the leak is much less. I believe the fitting is the main suspect now.

I have the local pool leak detection specialist come in next tuesday, hopefully with a quick diagnosis, can fix it as well

 

[JamesW]

Ok, thanks for the update. Let us know what you find.

If it's an expensive fix, you might want to just leave the lines off and plugged instead of fixing it.