Can leaves covering bottom valves cause hydrostatic valve to open slightly?

[waste]

Thanks for the update!

I hope you know that I meant no offense- it's just hard to judge someone's knowledge level from a few sentences posted on-line.

If the leaves on the grate had any impact on your issue, they made a mat - which stopped the water from getting to the leak... until the pump turned on and dislodged them.


I'm glad your issue has been solved, and sorry to hear you had to brave 48* water to do so!

I hope this is your only problem this year (or ever) but, if you find yourself needing our help - you know where to find us!

[PatG25]

Just wanted to add my experience last year to this thread. Yes, leaves and other "stuff" in the pool can definitely cause the hydrostatic valve to not close properly. I had the pool company open my pool last year. They did it on a Friday on a weekend when the family and I were out of town. We came back Sunday late afternoon and the pool was almost empty. Same problem, leaves got into the valve and it wouldn't close properly. I lost 12,000 gallons of water (22,000 gallon pool). Also my first year of owning an in-ground pool and had no idea this could happen. I have a gunite pool, so one of my option is to permanently close the valve. Since there is always water in the pool there shouldn't be a problem with the pool ever popping up out of the ground.

I haven't opened the pool this year yet, but I will monitor the water level very carefully once the pumps go on!!