Possible Liner Leak

[DoDo1975]

We had a deer fall into our pool last night and it had a little trouble getting out. We think there might now be a small leak as it seems to be losing water, about and inch or so today.

Not sure where to start looking. I have walked around feeling for potential problems on the liner and inspecting visually in the 3 areas the deer tried to get out (we saw the deer in the pool) but haven''t been able to see anything. I did feel what appear to be little nicks in one spot on the bottom.

I have a sport pool with a concrete bottom. I am not sure if it could leak on the floor due to the water pressure pushing the liner down to create a seal, and if it was I would expect the liner to be floating in the deep part? Is my thinking correct.

Trying to determine if I should be focusing on the walls or if the bottom might be a possibility.

Any thoughts appreciated!

 

[sande005]

The traditional method is to do a bucket test - weighted bucket of water partially in the pool, initially filled to be the same level as the pool water outside of it. Observe for a day or days, and see if the level outside drops more than inside. If so, yes there is a leak. If they stay the same, then it is just evaporation.

An inch (overnight?) does seem accelerated. Sometimes you can take your bottle of pH indicator (phenol red) and use it as a dye test very close to a suspected leak spot. You'll see the red "smoke" being sucked into the leak. Of course, if you have to do underwater, hard to stop pool water from getting back into the bottle, so it will be useless for future pH tests.

A pool company, plumbers, and others can do an electronic leak test. Essentially a small electric circuit between the pool water and the surrounding ground. They have a sensor on a pole, and go over the entire interior - as they get closer to the leak, the tone they hear in their headphones increases. They can quickly find the exact spot that needs to be patched. May be a few hundred for them to come out. Depending on the company, they may patch it for you, too. Google "leak testing" for possible services in your area.

 

[DoDo1975]

Thanks,

Anybody have any thoughts on this part? It would help me search a much smaller area.

I have a sport pool with a concrete bottom. I am not sure if it could leak on the floor due to the water pressure pushing the liner down to create a seal, and if it was I would expect the liner to be floating in the deep part? Is my thinking correct.

 

[sande005]

Thanks,

Anybody have any thoughts on this part? It would help me search a much smaller area.

I have a sport pool with a concrete bottom. I am not sure if it could leak on the floor due to the water pressure pushing the liner down to create a seal, and if it was I would expect the liner to be floating in the deep part? Is my thinking correct.

Maybe not - if the concrete is porous and the deer's hoof put a small tear in the area, the water pressure could easily force it through and into the ground, with no sign that something was amiss from any distance away. The pressure above is a lot, so the liner won't float. Nor will the pressure seal a tear.
A mask and snorkel may be a fun addition - easier to inspect to see up close if there are any flaws in the liner.
Do the bucket test to get an idea of the rate of loss. Will help guide you as to whether you are looking for a pinhole, or something bigger.

 

[DoDo1975]

I did find a place where there was 4-5 nicks in the liner on the bottom of the pool. But they are only very small, 1/8 or less. I am losing about 1.5 inches a day which I have calculated to be 60 cubic feet or 450 gallons. Could a couple little nicks in the bottom of the liner cause so much water loss?

 

[Newdude]

Could a couple little nicks in the bottom of the liner cause so much water loss?

You're losing a gallon every 3.2 mins. (Roughly), and you don't need a large hole for that. A couple smaller holes combine for a pencil sized hole that could fill a gallon in 3.2 mins.

 

[sande005]

I did find a place where there was 4-5 nicks in the liner on the bottom of the pool. But they are only very small, 1/8 or less. I am losing about 1.5 inches a day which I have calculated to be 60 cubic feet or 450 gallons. Could a couple little nicks in the bottom of the liner cause so much water loss?

A faucet dripping 4 drops a minute wastes 1/2 gal per day....so yes a few small holes can add up to big water loss. There's also a lot of pressure that keeps the flow going....

 

[sande005]

Depending on your deductible, it might be an idea to check your homeowners policy - you might end up with a whole new liner, or have the cost of leak detection and patching covered partially.

 

[DoDo1975]

I found the hole. Its not on the floor. Its on the transition between the wall and floor, a little bigger than a pencil tip. Any tips on applying a patch here since there is nothing behind it to push against?

 

[DoDo1975]

It looks like the little deer may have created a few holes and they are hard to find. I may need to replace the liner. It is unlikely I can get a new liner installed before winter arrives.

Since the holes are on the bottom this makes it difficult to winterize. How should I deal with this? Should I drain the pool entirely and brace the sizes before putting on the safety cover or do something else?

 

[sande005]

This should be a conversation with your homeowner's insurance and their adjuster. Don't know how much proof they need or want that it happened.
Then, if covered, they can pay a guy to do detailed testing to find and patch the leaks. OR hire guys to protect the pool adequately for over the winter. If there is a collapse that is something you do not want to deal with due to a problematic DIY fix. If the pros do it wrong, it is between them and the insurance companies.
And, you likely will get a new liner out of the deal, either way.
Sure, you have a deductible - but you are at the point where the money should be spent one way or another.