Troubleshooting Skimmer Suction

[AcesUp]

I have what I believe to be a leak in the skimmer return.

I have an in ground 20K gallon vinyl pool. I got about 13 years out of my liner and I'm having it replaced when it warms up in a month or so in Atlanta.

Currently, my water level drops about an inch every two days. It stops dropping once it gets below the skimmer level.

I have closed the three way valve to segment the suction from the skimmer. I then filled the skimmers and the water level drops about an inch an hour until it disappears into the pipe below both skimmers. I have used dye to observe the leak, but it must be pretty slow because the dye dissipates before I can be certain.

I would assume that a leak detection is in order, but wanted to get ideas about further troubleshooting before my liner is replaced or the leak detection takes place.

I have read that suction leaks are rare underground...but I have a rare ability to find rare problems.

Thanks for help!

 

[1poolman1]

I have what I believe to be a leak in the skimmer return.

I have an in ground 20K gallon vinyl pool. I got about 13 years out of my liner and I'm having it replaced when it warms up in a month or so in Atlanta.

Currently, my water level drops about an inch every two days. It stops dropping once it gets below the skimmer level.

I have closed the three way valve to segment the suction from the skimmer. I then filled the skimmers and the water level drops about an inch an hour until it disappears into the pipe below both skimmers. I have used dye to observe the leak, but it must be pretty slow because the dye dissipates before I can be certain.

I would assume that a leak detection is in order, but wanted to get ideas about further troubleshooting before my liner is replaced or the leak detection takes place.

I have read that suction leaks are rare underground...but I have a rare ability to find rare problems.

Thanks for help!

If the water continues to leak below the skimmer opening, the leak is more likely somewhere else, though leaks in the suction line are not as uncommon as you may think. the leak could be in the old liner itself.
It is better to find the leak now, before a new liner, in case there are issues with a wall, return fitting, or line that would need to be repaired behind the liner.

 

[AcesUp]

If the water continues to leak below the skimmer opening, the leak is more likely somewhere else, though leaks in the suction line are not as uncommon as you may think. the leak could be in the old liner itself.
It is better to find the leak now, before a new liner, in case there are issues with a wall, return fitting, or line that would need to be repaired behind the liner.

Thanks. The water stops falling once it gets below the skimmer opening.

The water is about half an inch below now and has stopped dropping. When I fill the skimmer to just below the opening, it continues to fall pass the skimmer floor and about 4 inches of the pipe - which is all I can see.