Swimming pool leak detection

[Ignatius]

It appears to me that the water level in our pool is dropping about an inch every 3 days or so; I put a bucket of water in the pool for 24 hours to see if it's just evaporation, and the level inside the bucket is the same, but I'm consistently losing water in the pool. It's not real bad right now, but obviously it's only going to get worse...

Has anyone ever used a company in Austin for this type of service? I guess I really just need the detection first, and based on what they find I can shop around for the repair, although obviously it would be better to have the same place do both, assuming the repair cost isn't out of line with what other places would charge...

 

[wolfman]

My neighbor in Dallas recently had leak detection done and it was over $500 to pinpoint a leak. And this guy was supposedly cheap compared to others. I talked to the leak guy and he told me that most of the leaks that he has that are in the pool itself are around lights. You may want to check around any lights that you may have in the pool for hairline cracks. Im guessing that any good pool supply place could sell you the sealer that you need if you find a leak.

 

[hollisdude]

Mine was leaking around the plastic collar ring down inside the skimmer area.

Something you could try is to get an eye dropper and use red liquid. Squirt it around your light underwater and see if the red liquid escapes. Try everywhere there is any connection including skimmers.

 

[Pulpwood Horn]

I just went through a similar process this week. Keep in mind that I am not terribly handy, but I wanted to figure out as much as I could in the hope of saving money.

So you did the bucket test. Have you determined if it's leaking when the pump is on or off (or both)? That will let you know if it's something in the pool or the plumbing.

If pool, do a dye test (food coloring) around every point of contact with the pool wall -- ladder bumpers, skimmer, light fixture, etc.

If plumbing, are there bubbles in the water from the return jets? That typically means the problem is on the return side of the pump... not the suction side. Check for any leaks around the filter/pump. If you think it might be in the return pipes, try to isolate the returns by making the water go only through one return. See if water level changes then.

In my case, I noticed that water was trickling out of the waste/backwash line when I was running the filter. I unscrewed the 8 screws where the handle is. Took that into the pool shop thinking I would have to replace that part (or the spider gasket). Turned out that the white teflon washer under the handle was broken. Wouldn't let the valve get a good seal.

Best $3 I ever spent.

Hope it works out.

 

[Ignatius]

Thanks for the info, I probably should just not run the filter for a day to see if it's when it's on/off; when I did my bucket test I did it over a total 24 hour period, so it was running some of the time and not others. I have noticed bubbles coming through the return jets from time to time, I'll take your advice and check my supply lines...

 

[longyak]

There are message boards devoted to pools and pool maintenance that may offer more tips on locating the issue.

 

[LH-Pools]

If any of you need help, I will be glad to talk with you.Just PM me.
If you need a leak man, this is the guy I use and he is good.
Randy (214) 354-2860