Pool dropping 1 1/2 inches every 24 hours

16 years ago

We've been trying to diagnose a leak in my pool for several weeks now. Thanks to our drought, I'm able to mark the pool level every 12 hours. It is dropping 1 1/2 inches every 24 hours. With the new test, I filled the pool to the skimmer line and have been tracking to see when it slows down. I ran the pump 12 hours on and 12 hours off and there was little difference. We've plugged the bottom drains and have seen no difference. Right now the water level is around the Aqua Genie skimmer return orifice.

The company that has been trying to find the leak has checked around the skimmers, lights, steps, polaris, and jets. They've had a diver in the pool looking for leaks in the vinyl liner but haven't found any.

This pool is fairly new and unfortunately has been this way since day one. The guys that installed it ran off without getting their final draw and are unreachable.

Any other suggestions/ideas would be appreciated.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

diypools
16 years ago
brianrowe -

I talked to someone recently from Alabama that had a similar problem. She had not run the pool for a few years because of a leak. What they did was dig out the area behind both AquaGenies and found that the material there (clay - their builder hadn't properly backfilled) was damp.

She called me and I told her that there are a few "failure" points on that piece. It could be the plumbing, it could be at the faceplate (doubtful) or it be in the "other place." Your AG is actually made of three parts glued together - the "other place" is where the inlet from the pool passes the weir and goes into the leaf basket. Most of the time, the failure point is right behind the weir. When Sherry ran the pump and looked under the AG, she said that it was like a river was pouring out.

So, if they can't find the source of the leak, my suggestion would be to check and see if the water is leaking from the underside of the AG. If the water line doesn't sink below the AG, that is probably your failure point.

Steps to fix the above problem:
1. Rip out the weir (you'll probably break it - don't worry as they're cheap)
2. Get some epoxy, and spread it on the lip that is behind the weir (you'll probably have to stick your head down into the AG to see, or feel around with your hand) You MUST put the epoxy on the inside, as the pressure will force it off if applied to the outside of the AG.
3. Let sit overnight and check again.

If you ripped up concrete (like Sherry did) to find the problem, you'll have to fix that. If your builder didn't use non-expansive material (pea gravel, etc) then you'll want to replace the material around your AG, as that could have been one of the reasons of failure.

Let me know what you find out.

Ted

P.S. I'm including the link to the manufacturer of the AG so you can see the internals. Click on the three pictures there to see larger views.

Here is a link that might be useful: AG pictures
brianrowe
Original Author
16 years ago
DIY...thanks for the response. Right now, the 3 aqua genie skimmer lines are turned off and the bottom drain is the only one on. Water is not getting into the skimmers. Because of the way those things work, water is still coming out the AG returns.

If that was a failure point, if I did a 12 hour test with the pump on and a 12 hour test with the pump off, wouldn't the water drop more when the pump was on? Now that the water is below the skimmer, maybe I should try that.

Thoughts on this plan? Previously water fell at least 3 inches below the AG.

I'm hesitant to remove the AG and the concrete. I know the area underneath and behind the skimmer was filled with sand.

Brian
Related Discussions
tgif 1-24-2014
Q
Comments (5)
Well, TGIF night, that's for sure. My day started out at 9 am on the farm. No water, the frost free spout is officially frozen. We took a 50 gallon barrel to Amanda's and filled it. 3 times. Back to the farm where we dipped it out with 5 gallon buckets and filled the tank. OK, time to set hay. Except the tractor won't start. We spend about an hour trying to jump start the tractor, give up and wrap a chain around a big round bale of hay and drag it out to the animals. One egg that wasn't frozen, hooray. On the way home, we lost power steering in the truck, apparently a bearing froze up on the tensioner pulley and the belt broke. If it had been warmer than 7F, with wind chills of about -20, the truck might have overheated. We limped it to Dave's, where he fixed it and we came home. Right now there are blizzard conditions and white outs and the wind is about 25 MPH. Did I mention that I woke up with a sore throat? Elery made chicken soup for supper and I'm sitting here with a cup of tea and a bag of Hall's cough drops. Tomorrow we go out and see if we can chop down through the frozen ground to find the problem with the water. The valve is 5 feet under ground, so we may or may not get that fixed. If not, we'll be hauling water in barrels for a couple of months. (sigh) Clink with my cup of Irish Breakfast tea, and think about me about 9 am tomorrow, out in the storm, using a pick ax to break frozen ground. Yes indeed, we farmers just sit on our butts and wait for that government subsidy, that's what we do. Annie
...See More
SS Support Mon. 1/29 thru Sun. 2/4
Q
Comments (22)
Raeanne~This is already one spoiled baby! LOL She is the first grandbaby on both sides. She is only 6 hours from her DM's DPs so they get to see her way more often & of course they have done their share of spoiling. Of course, you wouldn't know that the DGSs weren't my biological ones b/c I spoil them as much or more. There is something about it--I just cannot help myself. We are going to babysit the youngest DGS while his momma is in school. That should be fun. (You should see the packages that we are taking for Valentine's Day for all 3 & then DGS #1's b'day is on Valentine's Day. Close to DeeMarie's! Please remember my DS on the 8th. That is when she has her surgery. They are going through the front of her neck to remove a vertabra & there is a slight chance that she might not make it & a slight chance that she would not be able to speak again. Dee~Sorry that you are under the weather. That is never any fun. I'll try to get back on here tomorrow before the Super Bowl starts--if I have finished with my packing. I have most of it done but am waiting on some clothes to dry. Since we have to go to a laundromat, I don't like to have my clothes dried there & prefer to have them hung up to dry. Have a Super day everyone--you must be since nobody is posting. :) Patti
...See More
SS Support Week of 1/24 th-1/30 th
Q
Comments (37)
Lynn - I know I will remember playing in the snow for many years. I love it when my adult children still want to play LOL. A few years ago I came home very late from a Christmas party and DD asked if I would go sledding with her, we did and we laughed so hard - they could probably hear us for miles. My pedometer is the cheapest model I could find from Walmart for $3.83 and not worth any penny of it. The buttons are not recessed at all, so it can accidently be reset. I saw a wide range of them, so I would think you could pick a decent one up for about $10. If you want to try out a cheap one, send me your address and I will ship it off to you. KY Susie - I haven't drummed since last year, but the women's weekend is approaching, so I will be drumming soon. I love broccolini, but we can't always get it by me - very tender and just cook it like you would broccoli. If Lynn, doesn't want my cheapy pedometer, let me know, you can try it out - I just question the accuracy. Marci - my oldest DD still says she is heading to San Diego and my DH get's so upset by it. I don't think it will hit me until she actually does it. It's just an adjustment for you and you will snap out of it. Maddie - that guy knows a good thing when he sees it! I can't remember the last time a guy made a pass at me. Tikanis - glad you got to spend some time at the beach - sounds like it was just what the Dr. ordered. I feel that the appliance breakdowns are behind you, sort of a metaphor for this past year - but now you have come full circle and a lot of good is in store for you. DeeMarie - don't feel guilty about not exercising, you had to get your body healthy first. I did what was suppose to be 10 minutes of ab work this morning, OUCH (and I probably only did half of it). Suzanne - when is this cold spell going to break? I am really beginning to HATE it. I could never do what you do - there is no way I could drag my cold butt out to the barn on these frigid mornings. Is SP taking her supplements any easier? Besh - are you hanging in there - how much more snow did you get clobbered with? Gret - hope you are feeling better. I have a ton of work that is going to keep me in my seat today. Maybe whenever the phone rings, I will walk to another desk to answer it.
...See More
1/16 th grout width I want but 2 installers want 1/32!
Q
Comments (38)
Samantha, Absolutely, lack of expansion joints could have also been the part of the problem, which is unrelated to grout joint size. When installing, manufacturer instructions comes first, then the standards second if there is missing or conflicting information and instruction. If there is a failure, an inspector (or a court) will first use manufacturer specs and instructions, because they are the liable responsible party in a claim, so their information takes presidence. Thats what installer must follow first if there is conflict, and if there is missing information, the TCNA/ANSI standards come in. Now, many manufacturers refer to the TCNA/ANSI standards. Additionally, some manufacturers do not offer all needed information which then the TCNA/ANSI standards kick in. Every installer should be well versed in both. There are many tile and stone manufacturers who still allow for ultra thin grout joints. In regards to the standards changes you mention in grout joint sizes, indeed the TCNA/ANSI has made recommendations for the first time concerning grout joint size and spacing. To completely understand the new changes you have to understand how recommendations are made. When they say "in general", these are not absolute standards. Simply guidance lacking any other source taking presidence. When they say "absolute", these are standards that are never to be strayed from. The new changes on grout joint width is an "in general recommendation" or situational recommendation. Ultimately, the project owner should choose the grout joint they desire. -from the TCNA website. Please view the TCNA link for more information. It explains it pretty well. If you have tile cut or manufactured to tight size tolerances, you can have any joint size you wish. Of course, as I stated before, not all tile is able to be installed with the ultra thin grout joints. Again this is situational. There is no absolute standard for tile joint width. Tile it is a finish topical product, relying on the subfloor/framing/substrate structure for rigidity and in-range deflection for its stability and structure. Now if you continue to believe otherwise, that the tile system itself aides in overall system stability and structural integrity and/or that grout joint size matters at all when tile sizing is withing parameters, I really dont know how else to convince you. Since this obviosuly matters a great deal to you, I would suggest you buy a copy of the standards. Its relatively inexpensive. Then you can read for yourself in context. Also I would suggest that you start reading up on tile manufacturers installation guidelines and instruction for various products you may be interested in, as they take presidence, although they usually are in line with the standards. Here is a link that might be useful: TCNA Standards For Grout
...See More
diypools
16 years ago
Brian -

I had to run out to the warehouse to take a look before I replied. There are two lines running to/from your AG - one from the skimmer basket, and one that comes back to the pressure chamber (before it shoots into the pool).

The pressure chamber is thermo-formed, so unless that piece has actually cracked, that isn't going to be your problem area. There is no glue involved in that part, so it shouldn't be your problem.

Therefore, if the waterline is BELOW your AG intake area and still dropping, the AG shouldn't be your problem.

I can't really provide any suggestions as to what else to look for (sorry!) but I wish you the best in finding and fixing your problem!

Ted

Pool dropping 1 1/2 inches every 24 hours

Comments (3)

diypools

brianrowe
Original Author

Related Discussions

diypools

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Pool dropping 1 1/2 inches every 24 hours

Comments (3)

diypools

brianroweOriginal Author

Related Discussions

diypools

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

brianrowe
Original Author