Help!

[shaz0016]

Hi
We have a second home in Spain, but at the moment only spend a limited time there. We have a pool maintenance company who have informed us that the pool is leaking. My husband is there now but only there for a week. The pool was built about 4 years ago and we have a good rapport still with the builders. We have had several people come out and look at and pressure tested it, but nothing conclusive as to where it is leaking. The builders are adamant that due to the chemicals being put into the pool, their grouting is in a poor condition and this is the reason. A couple of people have commended the builders build quality of the pool, so we have no doubt that there is no issue with their grouting.
Could the pool be leaking due to the grouting crumbling?
My husband is so stressed trying to find an answer, with limited time out there.
What steps should be taken when your pool is leaking.
Is there a checklist to work through?
I would welcome any suggestions. We have paid out €400 to a leak detection company, but still no answers.
Thank you for any guidance you can offer.

[Teapot1]

So what was actually checked so far? So as not to go back over things. Plug all pipe work to see if the water stops leaking, how much is it leaking? Worse when pump is on? What grout did the pool builders use? Doubtful chemicals put in the pool caused it unless the pH was very low for a long time (pH 6 or less) in which case you would see evidence of grout errosion. All pool builders say that just to through people off.
It has been particularly hot in Spain, could it be evaporation? Have you done a bucket test? Bucket of water on the step of the pool, does the water evaporate at the same amount in mm as the pool?

[shaz0016]

They have pressure tested the pipes, which was all clear. My husband knows what has been done so far, so I will have to check with him, but he is so stressed about it. Unfortunately, the pool maintenance and builder are starting to get funny as he is trying to get answers and no-one wants to help find the issue. It has gone down about 16 small tiles from what I can see from his photo. We have not done the bucket test, but it is too much to be evaporation. Thank you, I hope you do not mind if I keep in touch once I know more.

[Teapot1]

I have no problem with you asking any questions, happy to help. 16 small tiles roughly 30cm?
Does your pool have a main drain or lights? Two of the most troublesome points on any pool. Sadly a lot of pool maintenance companies and builders do see themselves as a route to peoples bank accounts. Only 4 years is not long for a structural defect. What have the pool company proposed?

[shaz0016]

I would say about 30cms is correct.
I am not sure about a main drain, but it has one light.
The pool company are no longer replying to my husband's emails. He has asked if they could come out and see for themselves. He has told them we aren't blaming anyone yet, we would just like to know what is the cause so we can move on.
The builder is adamant it is the crumbling grouting.

Someone else has been round this morning and said they have no idea and suggested that we strip the pool back and start again!

I do not know if it is positive or not, but apparently it is not going down anymore.

But it is still too low for us to put the pump on. Typically there are now water restrictions where we are, so we cannot even top the pool up.

Any suggestions what we can do if we can't use the pump?

[Teapot1]

Lights are frequently a problem as they leak at the cable gland. Using a leak dye on still water around the lamp maybe, not saying it is that but its a common issue. If the PB's are saying degrading grout have they evidence of this, did they remove some? What product did they use? Not all grouts are for total constant submersion. Products like Ardex are made for the job. If the pool maintenance company allowed the pH to fall over time it will soften grout, thats why I would use epoxy grout not cementitious grouts nowadays. Products like Kerapoxy from Mapei that should be available locally if you have to strip back but who is the person saying that and do they have a vested interest in saying so?
Regarding low water, depending on your setup, sometimes you have a vacuum cleaner port and can use that after plugging the skimmer and or the main drain. I have in the past made a tube fitting up to get from the skimmer port through the mouth of the skimmer and back under the lower water level as restrictions in France are very similar. In France the PB has to issue a 10y insurance certificate so they are liable if proven to not have done something correctly but even then its a long drawn out and expensive business to start a claim.

[shaz0016]

Thank you for your comments and suggestions. I think it is best that I ask my husband to continue this when he returns at the weekend if that is okay. Thank you again.
Regards.

[Teapot1]

No problem, do ask him to take some photos especially grout.
Fingers crossed for you both.

[shaz0016]

Hi, I am back again! We have paid for a proper leak detection report and the chap has found the leak, he says it is structural. We are still awaiting the report though, they do not seem to have the same urgency as us though. Would it be possible to send you a video he sent us, just for you to have a look at and give us an idea of how easy it will be to repair? I have contacted the builders, but am still waiting for a response. I thought the UK were bad at getting back to people, but Spain beats them all.
Many thanks.

[Teapot1]

Well done so far, yes no problem with the video, you could private message me and we can sort that out.

[shaz0016]

Hi, thank you for your quick response. However, I cannot seem to find an option to attach a video under private message.

[Teapot1]

Ok just message me privately and I will respond with my email address.