Leak Detection
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 than the bucket, then you have a leak.
Prices for leak detection and repair will vary widely. Of course, charges will be lowered
with your help of 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. Be sure to visit our New
Leak Detection Section
for leak detection and repair items.
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