The dreaded LEAK!!!

[squib]

15,000 gallon, in-ground liner pool. Started noticing about a month ago that I was losing water. Filled a bucket to check against evaporation, and found that I am losing about three inches per week (and seems to be increasing).

On Sunday, plugged my skimmer, vacuum port, and two returns. Did not plug bottom drain as I don't want to dive into 50 degree water. Turned off pump and have found that my leak is still going strong.

It would appear then that I have
1. a leak in my liner,
2. a leak around my steps, skimmer, light, etc
3. a leak in my main drain plumbing

Any tips on my next step? I checked with two pool stores in town today and neither had a recommendation for leak detection.

 

[zea3]

Use leak detection dye or food coloring to check for leaks around the steps and other openings in the liner. You will see the color get sucked into the leak if one is present. You can allow the pool to leak until it stops, however if the leak is in the main drain you don't want the pool to drain all the way down. You need to keep at least a foot of water in the shallow end to prevent the liner from wrinkling. You may want to ask if there is someone who can plug a main drain if the dye doesn't show anything.

 

[squib]

Ok. So the pool lost water down to about having only about a 1/4 inch going into the skimmer, then it stabilized. This suggests to me that I have:
1. Leak in liner somewhere between full and 5 inches low
2. A leak around the top part of my steps
3. A leak around my skimmer gasket

Is it possible to just replace the skimmer gasket and face plate and still leave water in the pool? In other words, when I pull that face plate to replace the gasket, is all heck gonna break loose?

 

[zea3]

I would drain to below the skimmer if that is where the leak is. You don't want a rush of water getting behind the liner if you can help it.

 

[PoolguyinCT]

Ok. So the pool lost water down to about having only about a 1/4 inch going into the skimmer, then it stabilized. This suggests to me that I have:
1. Leak in liner somewhere between full and 5 inches low
2. A leak around the top part of my steps
3. A leak around my skimmer gasket

Is it possible to just replace the skimmer gasket and face plate and still leave water in the pool? In other words, when I pull that face plate to replace the gasket, is all heck gonna break loose?

Skimmer gasket is a very rare leak. The gasket can be changed at normal operating level, but you must be swift. Use golf tees in the penetrations to hold liner in place when the face plate is off.

Again, the skimmer gasket is a very rare leak.