safety cover sunk into pool b/c water loss

Hi there.

My 20x40 pool is surrounded by a beautiful mahogony deck (previous owners!). I have a safety cover that has the posts set into the deck. I looked out the window yesterday and the cover is now into the pool AND the pool is down 3 feet or so.

The snow weighs down the cover, and it should wind up resting on the water. However with the apparent leak, the cover sunk much lower and pulled out many of the brass fitting from the deck. So, not only is my pool having a major leak, but the deck now has holes in it from ripped up screws.

I know a solution to the deck is to use something called garden stakes that sink into the ground 2 1/2 feet. These should not pull up.

But, my leak is the big issue. I think it is a pipe leak b/c last year when the pool was off for a few days (vaca), the water in the filter would empty, and I'd start with lots of air.

How much do you think it costs to fix an underground pipe leak. It is about 20 feet from the skimmer to the pump, and this leak is most certainly on the suction side. I have seem bubbles on the returns, and also the pump has been less and less powerful over the past year. I think it is b/c some water has been leaking and taking away the suction.

Any cost advice? 20 feet, with 15 or so under the decking. I also have an electric short for the past year, on and off, that would trip the GFI. It could be explained by the underground leak.

- betty

Betty,
Sorry to hear about the problem. If the anchors in the deck didn't rip out the cover would have gone instead so it's a no-win either way. As for the leak, one of the construction guys can comment as I have no idea of costs. If it is in the suction/skimmer line then the level should stabilize when the level drops to the skimmer level. You're logic about it being a suction side leak seems correct and yes, that could cause a GFI trip depending on where the power lines are run. I likewise have a safety cover and haven't used it in years because of the snow load. During the Winter it would get covered with snow, melt, freeze, and eventually I'd have a cover solidly frozen in a block of ice.
Sorry I can't be more assuring and helpful.
Al