First Time Owning Pool

Have a leak somewhere that I can't find. It has to be near, around, or above the skimmer line since the pool stops losing water when it drops below the skimmer. I have had two pool companies out who have done very little. The last one that came told me he did not think there was a leak in my lines as the pressure was good. He said he was fairly confident the leak was with the skimmer. He took pictures and measured, but that was a week ago and no one has contacted me since. Other pool company was basically the same. Told both companies I was new to owning a pool and it was an old pool. The tech thought it could be the seal around the skimmer. I have sealed around the skimmer with pool putty. Leak seemed to slow a bit but did not stop. I did not do the bucket test yet as I figured there was no way that much water could be evaporating from the pool. Although, it has been extremely dry (we are almost in drought conditions) and hot. I have done the food dye tests and have sealed up where it looked like there could be some leaking...have found nothing major though. Any help would be appreciated..I would really like to solve this problem myself as I have not really had much help from these pool companies. Also, there are no leaks anywhere visible. Thanks for your help.

I'm not sure what else to suggest but hopefully someone else will have an idea. I just wanted to welcome you to the Pool Forum and let you know that you weren't being ignored. Others will be along .......

How much water are you losing in a day? If it's very hot and dry, you might be surprised at the amount that you actually can lose to evaporation. Go ahead and try the bucket test and see what it tells you...

Janet

Sorry, Bondgirl;

I've got no magic wands for leaks. If I did, I'd put it to work locally! I'm chasing leaks myself.

It sounds like you've done the basics. One caution: careful dye testing has to be done with the pump OFF and you moving very, very slowly, to avoid currents. Otherwise, the currents you set up, will obscure the sort of small leaks you may be looking for.

One thing you might want to try: get the pool COMPLETELY algae free, then raise the water above the skimmer, and turn the pump off. Treat the pool with poured-in bleach, while it leaks down. Then, do it again, with the pump on. If it leaks faster or slower WITH the pump, than without, it's likely in the piping.

BTW, did you check the skimmer UNDER the skimmer basket?