pool leak
info
Your pool will naturally
lose some water to evaporation, some to splash out and some
to backwash wastewater. You may also gain water from
rainfall. My rule of thumb is that if you're routinely
adding more than two inches of water to your pool per week,
you may have a leak. It is worth spending some time and
money to repair.
Pools are meant to be watertight but sealants will
deteriorate while other parts of your pool shift and settle
or just plain wear out. Pools can leak through any of the
fittings or accessories, plumbing, or even right through
the shell. It is important to repair leaks, not only to
save water, heat, and chemicals, but also to prevent
undermining pool structural components and washing away
fill dirt.
Leak detection is a highly specialized branch of the
industry. A list of independent pool professionals who
specialize in leak detection is available a
www.PoolLeak.info. Ninety five percent of all phone calls I
get from worried pool owners about a leak turn out to be
inexpensive to repair. So relax, if you can't take care of
the problem yourself a professional will be equipped to do
so for you. If you suspect a leak, review the following
things before calling for service:
Is the pool leaking only
with the equipment on?
This may indicate a pressure-side return leak. With the
filter pump on, the plumbing on the pressure side is under
pressure. This can open up small drips into spraying
gushers. Check the waste or backwash line for water
consistently running. One inch of your pool water can equal
500 gallons.
Is the pool leaking only
with the equipment off?
This usually indicates a suction-side leak. With the filter
pump on, the plumbing on the suction side is under vacuum.
Air can be drawn in through otherwise leaking voids. You
may notice air in the pump basket (if you have a clear
lid), air bubbling out of the return lines, or air
repeatedly built up inside the filter tank. Use tape or a
pencil to mark water levels. Is the pump basket lid on
tight with a good, lubed o-ring?
Does the pool leak all the
time?
This does not rule out leaks in the plumbing, but turns a
suspicious eye on the shell of the pool, looking for cracks
in the plaster or tears in the vinyl. Look closely at the
tile line and look real closely inside of the skimmer(s).
The most common leak we fix is a separation between the
plastic skimmer and the concrete pool. This is easily fixed
with some pool putty. If you see something that looks like
a crack, drop some of your pH indicator test reagent near
it with your pump shut off and water still. See if the dye
is sucked into the crack. Under water lights can and do
leak as well. Especially the conduit that runs from the
light niche to the junction box. Filling the opening of the
conduit in the back of the light niche with putty,
silicone, or caulk is a way to fix this problem.
Are there leaks at the
equipment pad?
Look closely at the filter, pump, heater, and valves. Check
the ground for moisture. Turn the pump on and off looking
closely for spraying water when the pump is turned off.
Does the water seem to
stabilize at any particular level?
You may be able to close the skimmer valve and allow the
water level to drop below the skimmer. If it keeps going,
we can rule out the skimmer (although there can always be
more than one leak). The underwater light is a common leak
source. If the water stabilizes, dye test around this level
very carefully. Look for small debris which may have been
sucked into the crack or void. This is a good indication of
a leak.
Are there any wet areas
around the pool?
Take a walk around the pool's edge and between the pool and
the equipment pad. Check for wet soil and eroded areas.
Is your pool equipped with
a vinyl liner?
If so, there are special considerations. Look for sinkholes
where sand under the liner may have washed away. Look for
tears or separations around all fittings: skimmer, returns,
cleaner line, etc. Pay close attention to steps and
corners, where the liner may be stretched more than normal.
If an animal had the misfortune to fall into your pool you
may notice claw marks (tears) just below the water line.
Spending time under water with a mask may be required to
find a small leak in the liner. When liners become old they
may have many pinhole leaks. There can always be more than
one leak.
Unsure of your evaporation
rate?
Place a bucket of water beside the pool and mark both the
water in the bucket and the pool water level. Wait 24 hours
then check the loss of both. If the pool loses more water
then you have a leak.
Prices for leak detection and repair will vary widely. Of
course, charges will be lower with your help uncovering the
facts (see above) needed to determine the leaks location.
Average charges range from $200 or more depending on the
extent of your leak. Higher prices will be realized for
below ground work; however, many leaks are fixed within one
hour. Many pools leak in more than one area so monitoring
is important after any repair is made. There may be
additional charges for cutting and replacing concrete and
for SCUBA (under-water) work.
Information
provided courtesy of my friends at
Poolcenter.com