Pool is losing 1-2” of water a day! *HELP!* FREAKING OUT!

[SunLover18]

I have a 45,000 gallon old in ground pool. It was redone approximately 15 years ago, they sprayed a whole new bottom (gunite?) and did tile etc. it’s 3.5’-10’, DE filter system with booster pump for sweep. THAT is unfortunately all that I know about it.

Move lived in my house 18 years and the pool was here when we got it. I was never the pool keeper or chemical girl, my husband did ALL of that. My husband passed away just shy of two years ago, I inherited the pool responsibilities. I have done a pretty good job of educating myself on the pool and workings of the filtration system. Because of my husbands death, my income was cut to 1/5th of what it was so when I say I can barely afford to even maintain the pool, I mean it. Actually, I can’t afford it, my 19 year old buys the chemicals. Anyway, I’ve been able, with the helps of sites like this and YouTube, to do some repairs I had to; that I never dreamed I would be able to do. Hiring someone was not an option. I really don’t have any business having a pool anymore BECAUSE of the money it takes and fear of problems. But I live here and can’t afford to move, and I can’t let it turn into a biohazard. With all that being said here is my MAJOR MAJOR problem:

I noticed about 1.5 months ago that I was having to top it off more than normal. This has gradually worsened. I didn’t notice how bad until today. I guess 2 weeks ago I really started griping about it. Thought it was the heat and evaporation. Water bill came today and was DOUBLE! I remembered this morning as I left for work thinking I needed to top it off so I could turn it on (timers don’t work) but didn’t have time as I had to go. I remember exactly where the water level was this morning. I get home, go out to turn hose on and almost have a stroke, it had dropped down since 8am 2”, the top of my first step was dry. The pump and filter hadn’t been on I’m prolly 2 days. There is NO standing water on or around the filtration equipment or visible pipes. None anywhere in my yard, none anywhere at all that is visible. No cracks in the plaster or whatever - that I can see besides a few hairline ones that have been there for awhile. I’m seriously worried sick. I’m almost screwed, because I can’t hire someone to troubleshoot much less fix, this problem. As of right now, I don’t see a way to keep from just letting it go. Some of you are probably thinking I’m dramatic, but I’m not. I’m a widow, living paycheck to paycheck and things like this are theView attachment 82682 reason I think of moving and renting now and then. I’m desperate.. I need help. And it may be, most likely is, much more than I can handle, but I figure I have to try.. Thank you...Amy

(The photo is 3 years old)

 

[Texas Splash]

HI Amy and welcome to our forum! We'll, you've been through a lot I can tell, and we'll do what we can to help advise you. Since you mentioned the water level dropped while the pump was off for two days, it's possible the leak might be in the suction side, somewhere between the poolside skimmer and the pump/equipment pad. Since the system was not running, it would seem to rule out the pressure side (from the filter out to the return jets). Sometimes this "suction side" leak is confirmed when the pump is running and you see more air than normal under the pump clear lid and/or bubbles from the return jets.

Now sometimes there are other possibilities. If you have a main drain, they can leak. If your pool has any vinyl or fiberglass mating areas they can leak at those seams where they come together. You might need to have someone check the pipe that goes from the poolside skimmer to the pump. Either a leak company, which I suspect you don't have the funds to pay, or perhaps a friend who is DIY-savvy and can do an air pressure tests in that line. It doesn't take high pressure air, but enough to see if the air leaks quickly.

You might also pay attention to the waterline where the water stops dropping. That's an indicator as well. Do you have a pool light? Pools often develop a leak behind there as well. SO watch where the water stops dropping (new waterline) and inspect closely for anything around that new level that could leak. We'll do our best to help.

 

[ajw22]

People have found cracks around the skimmer. As Pat said, see what level the pool stops dropping at. If it is right below the skimmer then go looking there.

 

[SunLover18]

Ok, thank you and your correct on the funds.. I don't even know where the pipes are that go from the skimmer to the pump are. however, when we replaced the pump and my husband did a new backwash plumbing system, maybe 10 years ago, his best friend did all the plumbing, he is a journeyman plumber and lives nearby. I imagine he can possibly help, I just needed somewhere to start, I mean I didnt even know what to tell him to help me with. I do have a light. I also thought what you said, about seeing when the water level evens out and stops. Im afraid to even see how low it'll go, but that may be rather important, do you think? Again, I appreciate you giving me a starting point.

- - - Updated - - -

Thank you, I appreciate you taking the time to reply.

 

[ajw22]

You can also get rubber winterizing plugs and WITH THE PUMP OFF put a plug in one return at a time and see of it stops the water loss. That might let you rule out the returns. Simialrly you can plug the skimmer and see if it the skimmer line.

With the pump off you might get into the pool and see if you feel any outflow from any returns or skimmers. Use some saran wrap and put it over a skimmer and see if it is sucked down.

 

[Texas Splash]

Yes, letting the water go down a bit could be a good indicator if you don't already see something obvious. At some point, please update your signature with all of your pool and equipment info. See mine as an example. It will help us later. While any leak is a pain in the swim trunks, some are easier to repair than others. If the leak stops around the light, that's a good sign of where to look next. If the leak continues more to the bottom and you have a main drain, let us know. Drains themselves can leak, or some have a hydrostatic valve under the cover to help relieve underground (upheaving) pressure when the local soil gets over saturated. Keep us posted and we'll watch and assist as best as we can.

 

[SunLover18]

Yes, letting the water go down a bit could be a good indicator if you don't already see something obvious. At some point, please update your signature with all of your pool and equipment info. See mine as an example. It will help us later. While any leak is a pain in the swim trunks, some are easier to repair than others. If the leak stops around the light, that's a good sign of where to look next. If the leak continues more to the bottom and you have a main drain, let us know. Drains themselves can leak, or some have a hydrostatic valve under the cover to help relieve underground (upheaving) pressure when the local soil gets over saturated. Keep us posted and we'll watch and assist as best as we can.

Thank you so much, I was also wondering where to get the thing that I now know is the sig line, thanks for your time.

 

[Texas Splash]

You should be able to add your pool info to your signature by going to the top of the TFP web page (just under the Pool School button) and select "SETTINGS". On the next page look to the left for a menu bar that says, “MY SETTINGS” and go to "EDIT SIGNATURE" to enter your pool and equipment info there. Or you can click EDIT YOUR SIGNATURE. It will help us later. This link may also help you: Pool School - Read This BEFORE You Post.

Keep us posted on how things go tomorrow in daylight. I'm sure you'll continue to get plenty of replies that should help give you some direction.

 

[SunLover18]

I think i made a signature line

- - - Updated - - -

You should be able to add your pool info to your signature by going to the top of the TFP web page (just under the Pool School button) and select "SETTINGS". On the next page look to the left for a menu bar that says, “MY SETTINGS” and go to "EDIT SIGNATURE" to enter your pool and equipment info there. Or you can click EDIT YOUR SIGNATURE. It will help us later. This link may also help you: Pool School - Read This BEFORE You Post.

Keep us posted on how things go tomorrow in daylight. I'm sure you'll continue to get plenty of replies that should help give you some direction.

Thank you so so much, I have added my signature, does it make sense? Is something missing? I dont know very much.

- - - Updated - - -

Also I think I am waiting until Sunday eve to allow the water to begin dropping.

 

[YippeeSkippy]

Hey there Amy.... I just want to let you know that after this problem is figured out and fixed, we can teach you ways to care for your pool that are FAR, FAR less expensive than pool store chemicals.

You'll have a pool that sparkles and shines, and hopefully will provide you with some pleasure instead of worry. We're with you, hon!

Maddie

 

[sktn77a]

You can use the "food dye" test to see if your light is leaking. With the pump off, drop a few drops of food coloring near the light (1-2" away) and if it gets sucked into the light, then you have a leak there. You can do this nest to the skimmer, main drain and returns also to locate leaks there.

 

[ctrav]

What a cool and easy tip!! Bravo Keith...

Now someone will come along and say "you didn't know that"

You can use the "food dye" test to see if your light is leaking. With the pump off, drop a few drops of food coloring near the light (1-2" away) and if it gets sucked into the light, then you have a leak there. You can do this nest to the skimmer, main drain and returns also to locate leaks there.

 

[ctrav]

Good job on the signature line SunLover18...had to put on my sun glasses at the end with the bright green

I think i made a signature line

- - - Updated - - -



Thank you so so much, I have added my signature, does it make sense? Is something missing? I dont know very much.

- - - Updated - - -

Also I think I am waiting until Sunday eve to allow the water to begin dropping.

 

[SunLover18]

OH!! OK I will do that tonight

 

[SunLover18]

Ok, I ran my pump all day long and there was no loss in water. It also was not sunny and hot like it has been but still hasn't lost any water. This is so odd!

 

[Texas Splash]

Ok, I ran my pump all day long and there was no loss in water. It also was not sunny and hot like it has been but still hasn't lost any water. This is so odd!

Not odd at all. That can happen when you have a suction side leak like I mentioned above. The water is being "pulled" from the pool to the pump so water really doesn't have a chance to seep out (until you turn it off). Instead, it can at times suck in air - like a cracked straw. I think now you have to see if you can isolate where in the suction line (or lines) it may be leaking.

Things you need to know:
- Do you have a main drain, typically in the deep end? If so, you might see if there is a way to close it off and/or plug it and see if that resolves the water loss. A pool can operate just fine with a skimmer only.
- How many poolside skimmers do you have (usually 1 of 2)? If item 1 above didn't work, now is where you can try pulling water from the main drain only (if you have one) to see if that resolves the water drop problem. So use the valves on your equipment pad to manipulate "where" you pull water from in an effort to find the bad branch of PVC. Make sense?

Now if you only have a poolside skimmer (no main drain), then you can be fairly confident that's the bad PVC line. Maybe it cracked a bit from the last bad winter. Maybe contact your plumber friend to see if he can try to manipulate an air (or water) pressure test in that line. At least that would confirm for sure.

 

[zea3]

As an unwilling divorcee stuck with a house that needs a lot of repair on a little income, I know how it is. We will help you figure something out, once the source of the leak is identified. Sometimes there are not resources for the correct repair, but often there is a viable work around. I wish you all the best, and I am sorry for your loss.

 

[SunLover18]

As an unwilling divorcee stuck with a house that needs a lot of repair on a little income, I know how it is. We will help you figure something out, once the source of the leak is identified. Sometimes there are not resources for the correct repair, but often there is a viable work around. I wish you all the best, and I am sorry for your loss.

Thank you!!! Sounds like you know my situation. I gravely appreciate the help!

- - - Updated - - -

Not odd at all. That can happen when you have a suction side leak like I mentioned above. The water is being "pulled" from the pool to the pump so water really doesn't have a chance to seep out (until you turn it off). Instead, it can at times suck in air - like a cracked straw. I think now you have to see if you can isolate where in the suction line (or lines) it may be leaking.

Things you need to know:
- Do you have a main drain, typically in the deep end? If so, you might see if there is a way to close it off and/or plug it and see if that resolves the water loss. A pool can operate just fine with a skimmer only.
- How many poolside skimmers do you have (usually 1 of 2)? If item 1 above didn't work, now is where you can try pulling water from the main drain only (if you have one) to see if that resolves the water drop problem. So use the valves on your equipment pad to manipulate "where" you pull water from in an effort to find the bad branch of PVC. Make sense?

Now if you only have a poolside skimmer (no main drain), then you can be fairly confident that's the bad PVC line. Maybe it cracked a bit from the last bad winter. Maybe contact your plumber friend to see if he can try to manipulate an air (or water) pressure test in that line. At least that would confirm for sure.

awesome advice. I have a main drain in deep end. I have one skimmer. I have no idea wher to even begin to figure out how to turn off or plug either of those. I have a multi port valve I turn to backwash etc. maybe I will find it there?

 

[Texas Splash]

You can post a pic of your equipment pad if you want us to look for you. But if you trace the PVC line coming out of the ground going to the front of the pump, there should be a valve or two just before the pump. Typically those valves determine where water gets "pulled" from - main drain (MD), skimmer, or both. Sometimes though, the main drain line goes underground and comes up underneath into the bottom of the skimmer. Does your poolside skimmer have two holes in the bottom? If not, then the MD and skimmer have their one PVC line underground "TO" the pump.

 

[SunLover18]

Pretty sure I found the crack gonn do a dye test in a few. I put goggles on and went searching and noticed a decent size horizontal crack but what caught my attention was there was a powder (maybe DE) sticking to the crack all along the line. Like a magnet pulling shavings..