leaky pool / insects / barrier for the bottom

[JETTA]

I got an insect problem thus causing the dreaded pinhole leaks. The pool company (with leak detection equipment) found one in 2009 and patched it.

They were back at my house 3 weeks ago and found another pinhole and patched it. He did not think it was insects due to there only being one (at that time)

I noticed this week I have lost about an inch of water. I vacuumed the pool today and noticed 4 spots where the "dirt" reappeared after I vacuumed it. I get the goggles and go underwater, brushed the dirt away and I can see the little hole and the dirt coming back in to the pool.

All the leaks are around the edge in one area. There are now 6 (two liner colored patches and 4 clear ones)

I patched them up with clear patches and marked the skimmer to see if I got all of the leaks.

I do live in a high subterranian termite zone. My house has been treated / protected. I suspect that is what is causing the leaks. If I continue with leaks for the rest of the season, I am going to have the liner replaced in the spring.

Besides having the bottom of the pool re-treated by the pesticide company, are there any barriers that can be placed on the bottom of the pool that will work to prevent insect damage?

Thanks

[Poconos]

Wow, wish I could offer suggestions but these long term insect solutions are beyond me. Unfortunately the good stuff that lasted forever has been banned for years and I don't even think that would be a long term solution with an AG pool. It would wash away from the edges. I'm sure you're not the first one with this problem so hopefully someone will chime in with some ideas.
Al

[aylad]

When camping, we use Comet powder around all wiring, wheels, etc and the bugs (ants as well) won't go anywhere near that stuff. Might want to try a heavy layer of it under the pool, after the dirt itself is treated, and see if it helps...

Janet

[Kimrst]

What about using DE that we use to filter the water under the pool liner? I think it works by cutting the bugs skin and they even make a food grade version of it. It kills slugs and worms and bees .I know you don't want to breath in the dust when you add it to the DE filter.. Kim

[Phillbo]

Is a concrete slab an option ?

[JETTA]

Leslie's said that about using DE.

Slab is not an option. I have a deck / fence / walkaround pool and the would essential mean disamantle and reassemble.

I do have 12 holes now and they are all patched. If I keep the pool I am going to do a new liner in the spring. I will attempt to find and patch myself for the remainder of the summer.

They are all around the edge and it is now spreading. There are holes approx. 1/2 around the pool.

My spring plan of attack is to call the exterminator and get the area treated and do some sort of liner under the liner.

[Watermom]

When I had my liner replaced a few years ago, I had them cut out the floor of the old liner and leave it on the ground under the new liner. Just another layer for roots and grass to have to get through. There was also a layer of foam put down between my old liner and the new liner. Good luck keeping the holes patched for the remainder of the year. What a pain in the patooey!

[JETTA]

I contacted a dealer for my make of pool and they are offering the following:

1. Treatment of the termites. They have two companies that do the spraying and offer a guarantee that if there is a leak due to insect damage , they will pay for the liner. One company offers an $80 a year "inspection" and that includes the water & labor for the liner. The cost is about $250 for the service.
2. They repair / rebuild the base / remove any roots
3. Replace the liner with a non-embossed vinyl liner (US Made)
4. They were insisting my pool has an overlap liner. I told them that in 2002, the company offered a hung liner. My pool style (deck & fence & walkway) is not very popular around here. They sold more of the Esther Williams slat wall pools of my type. They then said that if my receiver is plastic and not the aluminum it may need to be replaced. That means taking off the top rail / decking. THIS IS THE REASON WHY I SPECIFICALLY WENT WITH A BEADED LINER!!! The receiver looks and feels sturdy to me and I have no issues with the liner.

I am looking at about $1,200 (worst case scenario)

The good news is after the last patching, I have no leaks. I plan on keeping the pool open perhaps to the end of September. If it holds water, I close it. If it leaks, I abandon it, make sure it does not go empty prior to winter and schedule the liner replacement for April of 2011.