Possible cause of leak?

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Finding & repairing swimming pool leaks.
Joroco
Pool Enthusiast
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Joined: Sun 27 Nov, 2016 22:27
My Pool: Inground pool, 12m (l) x 3.5m (w) x 1.5m (D), sand filter, tiled surface

Possible cause of leak?

Postby Joroco » Wed 17 Apr, 2019 06:25

Hi,

Pool is losing 2-3" of water every 24 hours whether pool pump is running or not. Noticed today there are multiple hairline cracks in the first 3 concrete steps. I haven attached pics. Could this be where the water is leaking out?

Thanks

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IMG_5391.jpg (41.85 KiB) Viewed 923 times
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IMG_5390.jpg (38.64 KiB) Viewed 923 times


Teapot
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Joined: Tue 17 Oct, 2017 10:52
My Pool: 12 x 24 (45m3) liner pool, Triton TR60 filter with AFM glass media (Activate) and variable speed pump running 0.08HP
Location: UK

Re: Possible cause of leak?

Postby Teapot » Wed 17 Apr, 2019 06:40

It could be, buy some leak testing dye and give it a go. Pool dye has a cling element so it doesn't disperse so easily.
Good luck, you need very still water!
Denniswiseman
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My Pool: 10k inground fibreglass, Telescopic Cover, Hayward Powerline pump, Quality filter with glass media, 27kw output heat pump, K-2006C test kit
Location: United Kingdom

Re: Possible cause of leak?

Postby Denniswiseman » Wed 17 Apr, 2019 07:16

2-3" of water every 24 hours is quiet a lot. Your pool size suggests that you are losing 2.6 cubic metre (2600 litres)
After checking the hairline cracks as Teapot suggests, test your returns and skimmer as well with the dye then allow it to drain untill it stops. This should give a good indication to where it could be. Do you have a main drain?
You can get expanding rubber bungs to block your returns, skimmer and main drain pipes to check your pipework
Joroco
Pool Enthusiast
Pool Enthusiast
Posts: 14
Joined: Sun 27 Nov, 2016 22:27
My Pool: Inground pool, 12m (l) x 3.5m (w) x 1.5m (D), sand filter, tiled surface

Re: Possible cause of leak?

Postby Joroco » Wed 17 Apr, 2019 21:25

I live in the Philippines and there are no leak detection specialists. Even the pool companies just tell me to let the water drop until it stops, I did a leak test on hairline cracks and the dye did not enter the cracks....I also did dye test around return jets and light fixtures and everything is fine, when I had let the water drop before it stopped leaking after return jets which leads me to believe it's a plumbing issue. I really don't feel like digging up tile and cement to access plumbing lines so I'm having a bottle of Fix a Leak sealer sent over from Canada to see if that will help. Thanks for your suggestions. I'm baffled as to where the water is going.
Teapot
Pool Industry Leader
Pool Industry Leader
Posts: 1337
Joined: Tue 17 Oct, 2017 10:52
My Pool: 12 x 24 (45m3) liner pool, Triton TR60 filter with AFM glass media (Activate) and variable speed pump running 0.08HP
Location: UK

Re: Possible cause of leak?

Postby Teapot » Thu 18 Apr, 2019 00:42

Ok, this is very important!!
Make sure you put the system on recirculation and NOT filtration, otherwise your filter will turn to rock!!! Fix a leak is good but can end the life of a filter.
Joroco
Pool Enthusiast
Pool Enthusiast
Posts: 14
Joined: Sun 27 Nov, 2016 22:27
My Pool: Inground pool, 12m (l) x 3.5m (w) x 1.5m (D), sand filter, tiled surface

Re: Possible cause of leak?

Postby Joroco » Sat 20 Apr, 2019 18:47

Thanks Teapot....if the Fix a Leak doesn't work could the leak be caused by a faulty multi port valve? I've noticed a bit of water coming out of waste pipe...not sure if it's enough to account for a 2"-3" loss of water per day.
Teapot
Pool Industry Leader
Pool Industry Leader
Posts: 1337
Joined: Tue 17 Oct, 2017 10:52
My Pool: 12 x 24 (45m3) liner pool, Triton TR60 filter with AFM glass media (Activate) and variable speed pump running 0.08HP
Location: UK

Re: Possible cause of leak?

Postby Teapot » Sun 21 Apr, 2019 01:29

Hi Joroco,. Yes it certainly can. If your thinking is taking you down this route, get a tight fitting bung for the waste pipe and verify this. I have had this on several occasions. It is, depending on the setup possible to have a siphon effect via the waste outlet, quite common to fit an additional pool valve to close off the waste when not in use or replace the spider gasket/multiport.

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