Is pool putty only good as a temporary repair?

Leaks in the pool, plumbing, filtration system, skimmer, ...
Finding & repairing swimming pool leaks.
kimi

Is pool putty only good as a temporary repair?

Postby kimi » Sun 09 May, 2010 05:43

Hi all

I had a pool leak last year - which I managed to detect and fix with the help of this forum (specifically Chuck - thankyou!!). Over the summer the pool has been great - I haven't had to add any water (we have a pool blanket which saves a lot of water evaporation).
We are now getting into Autumn, and the pool leak has come back again. So far it has dropped 4 tiles (and now below the skimmers so I am running on main drain only - this is the same level it dropped to last year - and the leak is not plumbing related as the water has dropped with the filter off.
I guess I am now wondering - is the pool putty(emerkit) I put around where the skimmer joins to the concrete a permanent fix? or Does it need re-applying every few months? Or do I have a new leak?? I've had a look at the tiles in this area - and they don't seem cracked or in bad shape. Any suggestions as to what to do next?

Thanks in advance

Kim


Xclusive
Swimming Pool Wizard
Swimming Pool Wizard
Posts: 74
Joined: Wed 14 Apr, 2010 09:17
Location: Dutchess, Putnam, Westchester County, NY

Is pool putty only good as a temporary repair?

Postby Xclusive » Mon 10 May, 2010 08:52

Kim, pool putty is not a permanent fix for sure. Chances are you have developed a leak in the very same area you patched.

I see you've done so already, but do it one more time just to be sure. Fill the pool back up to skimmer level. Mark the level with a piece of tape. Turn the filter pump off. Check the level again following day, and see where the drop has stopped. If its down to where you have patched then you probably need to apply again.

Alternatively, I would just have a pro check it out a recommend a permanent repair for you, because I assure you those kind of leaks just get worse over time.
kimi

Is pool putty only good as a temporary repair?

Postby kimi » Wed 12 May, 2010 17:30

Thanks Joe.
I did the so - and the level dropped down to the same level as it did last time I had the leak.
This is actually about 1.5 inches below where I had patched. I think I have to allow for water movement when the filter is on.

I am awaiting a quote from a pool repair specialist - hope it won't be too much!

Cheers
Kim
Xclusive
Swimming Pool Wizard
Swimming Pool Wizard
Posts: 74
Joined: Wed 14 Apr, 2010 09:17
Location: Dutchess, Putnam, Westchester County, NY

Is pool putty only good as a temporary repair?

Postby Xclusive » Wed 12 May, 2010 18:17

kimi wrote:Thanks Joe.
I am awaiting a quote from a pool repair specialist - hope it won't be too much!

Cheers
Kim


Well let us know what he says and we'll try figure out if its a fair quote. =)
Leak Squad Inc

Is pool putty only good as a temporary repair?

Postby Leak Squad Inc » Wed 28 Jul, 2010 16:01

kimi wrote:Hi all

I had a pool leak last year - which I managed to detect and fix with the help of this forum (specifically Chuck - thankyou!!). Over the summer the pool has been great - I haven't had to add any water (we have a pool blanket which saves a lot of water evaporation).
We are now getting into Autumn, and the pool leak has come back again. So far it has dropped 4 tiles (and now below the skimmers so I am running on main drain only - this is the same level it dropped to last year - and the leak is not plumbing related as the water has dropped with the filter off.
I guess I am now wondering - is the pool putty(emerkit) I put around where the skimmer joins to the concrete a permanent fix? or Does it need re-applying every few months? Or do I have a new leak?? I've had a look at the tiles in this area - and they don't seem cracked or in bad shape. Any suggestions as to what to do next?

Thanks in advance

Kim


The fact that the pool leaks with both equipment on and off does not mean that the plumbing has no leaks.
Some pipes leak all the time, some pipes only leak when under pressure, some leak when the pool is off, and some leak more / or less depending whether the equipment runs or not.

As an example could be a main drain line that could leak when equipment is off, and it could also leak when pump is running but the main drain is not active.
Static lines always leak. Return lines usually leak more when pump is running but they still leak even when the equipment is off assuming that the pipes are below the pool level.
We use epoxy every day to fix pools and most of the time the patch holds long enough. We fixed bunch a pools with epoxy 5 years ago and customers never had problems. Generally the bigger the leak is, its harder to permanently fix the leak with epoxy.
Check out our website, you might find some interesting info.
Leak Squad Inc

Is pool putty only good as a temporary repair?

Postby Leak Squad Inc » Wed 28 Jul, 2010 16:03

Just to make it clear:
WE DO NOT FIX PIPE LEAKS WITH EPOXY. THAT IS NOT A GOOD SOLUTION.
We use epoxy to seal smaller leaks in the skimmers, lights and plaster and pebble leaks.
tellmefirst
I'm new here
I'm new here
Posts: 1
Joined: Sat 05 Feb, 2011 06:42
Location: Cyprus

Is pool putty only good as a temporary repair?

Postby tellmefirst » Wed 23 Mar, 2011 08:06

Hi.

We have a underwater adhesive that is a permenant fix, have a look at "underwater_glue.htm"
czechmate
Swimming Pool Superstar
Swimming Pool Superstar
Posts: 401
Joined: Sat 16 May, 2009 09:20
My Pool: 16 x 32 gunite21000 gal., Diamond Brite Blue, Swimquip XL pump, DE36
Location: Texas

Is pool putty only good as a temporary repair?

Postby czechmate » Thu 24 Mar, 2011 19:58

Telmefirst,
I am sure you have a lot of other things on Cyprus we have never heard about here in the States.
Still, there is no relevance to the problem, since any type of adhesive will not repair crack in a gunite to stop a leak.

Return to “Swimming Pool Leaks”

Who is online at the Pool Help Forum

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 6 guests