Pool leaks - tips and advice
Firstly you will need to ascertain whether your water loss is
due to evaporation or a leaks.
The best way of doing this is to do the bucket test.
-
Get a bucket (preferably plastic or one that wont
rust) that will sit on the step of your pool and sticks out of the
water.
-
Fill the bucket up to the same water level as your
pool.
-
Leave it there checking once a
day.
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If the pool water level drops lower than the water in
the bucket you have a leak or leaks.
-
If the water level in the bucket drops at the
same rate as your pool you are dealing with water evaporation not a
leak.
If you are dealing with evaporation get a pool
cover.
If you have a leak the following procedure will help identify
where it is.
-
Do not top the pool up. If the water stops
dropping when the level gets past the skimmer box your leak is in the reticulation system (pipe work)
or the Hydrostatic valve. If your Hydrostatic Valve has not been replaced in the last 5 years get it
replaced. If this does not resolve the problem you will need to find and seal the leak in the
pipes. The most common leak, other than the Hydrostatic valve, is a separation between the plastic skimmer and
the concrete pool. This is easily fixed with some pool putty.
-
If the level keeps dropping and stops at the return
jets the you have a leak around the jets or you have an upper level
crack.
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If the level keeps dropping past the return jets you
could have a faulty Hydrostatic
valve. It also means you should turn a suspicious eye on the shell of the pool, look for
cracks in the plaster or tears in the vinyl. Look
closely at the tile line. If you see something that looks like a crack,
drop some of your pH indicator test 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 or, silicone, is a way to fix this problem.
If you would like any further
information to help you with your leaking pool contact us by clicking here.
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